I swear on a tub of OxiClean that I started this post last week prior to the untimely death of pitchman Billy Mays. So now, in his honor - let’s talk about products that have been pitched on TV that you recommend (or not)

Curious questions of the day:

As busy parents, are there any products that you’ve seen on a commercial or info-mercial products that have made your days a little easier?
Did Billy Mays’ (RIP) shouting sales pitches ever convince you to pick up the phone or run to the computer to order something that will certainly make your life better? And did it?

I have a few products to mention - and I am proud to share these not-so-guilty pleasures with you.

The Smart Spin: I received one for Christmas a few years back (yes, it was on my list) and yes it changed my life. Still love it, still use it daily. It is my one space where I truly have some semblence of organization. With little ones and constant leftovers these are perfect. The smaller containers are perfect for carrying stroller snacks too. The lids are ALWAYS the right size, it doesn’t take up much space in the kitchen cabinet and keeps everything together - we never lose the lids. Love that!

The Total Gym I purchased it second-hand from a friend who had a late night spontaneous 1-800 calling spree. It was great when we had the space (and the inclination). Now it’s in storage replaced by a train table. (Sorry Chuck and Christie, I’ve let you down.)

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Yoga Toes: Okay, actually I bought the Flextastic knock offs. These were a curiousity/impulse buy at a store endcap. I honestly think I can feel the blood running up and down each toe when I have these on. They do stretch out the tootsies and circulate the blood. But truthfully, they don’t seem like much more than glorified toe separators that you can get free at the salon. Eh, not worth it. Do the real (and real expensive) Yoga Toes work?

So do you think the ShamWOW is a sham or a WOW!? Does your family toast marshmallows outside wearing SNUGGIES? Did you flip for Flipfold and organize your toddlers tees? Do you unwind to your TIME/LIFE Romancing the 70’s box set after the kids have gone to bed?

Please share in comments below (operators are standing by…)

There was discussion in the previous post of how to get your kids to bed these long summer evenings. Here’s another question - once you finally collapse in bed how do exhausted parents decide who gets up to check on them if they wake up? For example…

It’s 2 a.m. You are deliciously and deservedly fast asleep.
A piercing “WAAAAAH!” fills the night air. The toddler must have had a bad dream, needs a drink of water or perhaps rolled out of bed.

You are now wide awake, frozen, waiting to see if it is just a passing cry or if they’ll lull themselves right back to sleep.
There’s another good reason not to move.
Is your spouse awake? Is he/she playing ‘possum feigning sleep until the other throws the covers aside and bumps their way through the dark?

Some whisper and rationalize who did more that day.
“I worked overtime and then went to the grocery store and mailed those packages to your parents today. I need my rest. ”
“But I need to get up extra early to drop the kids off at daycare and get to my morning meeting on time. I need my rest.”
“I went through 20 hours of labor. I need my rest.”
Okay, maybe that last one wasn’t fair.
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Ah, mid-night martyrdom.

The thing is, most of the time you’re both awake anyway and won’t get back to sleep until the other comes to bed.

I know most of these scenarios have played out in one way or another in our house. Obviously, if it’s an urgent or terrified cry one of us bolts to their bedside.

I try to put myself in the child’s shoes. I remember feeling much more secure if mom or dad came to comfort me when I had a bad dream of Jaws, Bigfoot or aliens chasing me. (nightmares from the ’70’s).

Sometimes the child decides for you. Whomever they are crying out for is the clearly chosen one. “Mama!” or “Dada!”

Then there’s the obvious - take turns.

How do you determine who gets up in the middle of the night?

If you’re having trouble getting the little ones to bed as the days grow longer, here’s a fun option.

Get them in their pajamas and climb on board the Como-Harriet Streetcar in Linden Hills.

Wild Rumpus is bringing in authors to read to kids above the clatter of the trolley. There’ll be milk and cookies.

Details in this story in the Strib today.

Just wanted to share this contest voting link with our Cribsheeters. We’ve been hosting the “Reel ‘Em In” contest on StarTribune.com and I was surprised to see the majority of the Top 10 finalists were kids and their fish! I was expecting to see a bunch of adults with their lunkers.
But when you go look at the pictures they are awfully cute.
Take a look (and vote!) here.

We haven’t taken our kids fishing yet - how very un-Minnesotan of us.
I’m okay with putting the worms on the hook - not so good at getting the fish off of the hook.
(especially the sunnies and bluegills - I get spiked by their fins every time -I just don’t have the magic touch.)

So you have any good kid fish tales to tell?

So we haven’t had a “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ post on Cribsheet yet. I have only seen glimpses of the show and quickly turned it because it stressed me out too much. Besides, watching anything on TV before collapsing on the couch for the 10:00 news is a rarity. However it did also put our life in perspective - life with two little ones is a piece of cake compared to the motions they need to go through to get through each day. (Which is why I’m assuming the show is so popular). Have a tough day? Turn that show on and sigh, “At least we’re not them….” They’ve been plastered all over magazine covers recently and now we know the inevitable “big announcement” they made last night was - they are getting a divorce.

But their story puts the spotlight on a topic we haven’t discussed on Cribsheet yet. Divorce. Already a heartwrenching decision. But when there are kids involved everything is intensified. I know many of our readers have been touched by divorce first-hand and can give a personal perspective.

What is your opinion? Stay together for the sake of the kids, or break up and get out of an unhappy marriage?