Quirky Momma: 3 Must Have Products for Families with Preschoolers

I have four children under five--my house is a virtual daycare!  While we by no means have it all together, these products have really helped bring some sanity to our lives.  If you have a houseful, I'd love to hear about products that you have used with your kids to help keep some semblance of order.

1.  Washable Paint (Olympic One is available at Lowes--check for deals!)  We made the mistake with our first home of buying cheap paint, just something to cover the walls.  What I did not realize is that cheap paint holds oils, so every fingerprint, every scuff, every smear will be visible, forever!  When we repainted we did not scrimp--and it shows!  We've gotten crayon, chalk, spaghetti sauce (yes, somehow a whole jar of spaghetti sauce landed on the wall), even marker off of the walls.  I LOVE washable paint!

2.  Light Switch Extender (available at Diapers.com).  Toddlers and most preschoolers can not reach light switches.  Every time they go to a new room or leave a room, they need you to turn on and off the lights for them.  It was driving me batty!  Either all I did all day was man the lights, or we just had our lights on all day long.  These things are great!  They fit any switch.  You screw them in and, viola, your kiddos can now independently turn on and off the lights.

3. Toilet-lids with built in potty-seats.  If you've potty-trained your kids,  you are familiar with the ring insert that gets oh-so-gross!  Or the little dump-able potty chairs.  Both only add you your work and clean-up load.  I love Next Step Bemis Toilet seat with the built in potty seat (available at both eFaucets and Bed, Bath and Beyond).  It is an all-in-one seat that is super easy to wipe down.  Well worth every penny!

Do you have any "can't-live-without-it" products that help your house run more smoothly?  I'd love to hear about them!

Rachel Miller is a school teacher and the founder of QuirkyMomma, a site full of fun learning activities for preschoolers and kids. She also hosts the MomLoop and Playtime forums. When she is not online you can find her having fun with her four children, navigating piles of laundry, discovering sippy cups and washing fingerpaint off the walls.