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Asha Dornfest

Portland, OR // Twitter: @parenthacks Facebook: facebook.com/parenthacks

Founder of Parent Hacks, a site devoted to sharing parents' forehead-smackingly smart tips, workarounds, and wisdom.

Recent Activity

Post-holiday reentry: it's never painless

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. We did, for the most part. A couple holiday parties, a great visit with my parents and one of my oldest friends, my son’s first solo travel as a full-fledged GUY (not an “unaccompanied minor”), a New Year’s Day... Continue reading

Posted Jan 6, 2015 at Parent Hacks

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Balancing output and input

Hello, friends! I hope your holiday preparations are going well. I've been on a surprise writing hiatus. "Surprise" because I didn't plan for it, even though it has been just what I needed. Hanukkah has begun. Not long ago, I turned in the first draft for the Parent Hacks book.... Continue reading

Posted Dec 18, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Best of Parent Hacks: Holiday Edition

So! The holidays are upon us. Hopefully this collection of hacks will help you streamline so you can relax and enjoy the holidays a little quicker (which means enjoying them a lot more). Getting organized for the holidays Let your calendar remind you to try new seasonal activities Let Santa... Continue reading

Posted Dec 18, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Gift ideas that simplify holiday shopping (or don't require shopping at all)

If holiday shopping is already feeling like too much, there are some simple ways to streamline your gift list without stifling your desire to give. Continue reading

Posted Dec 1, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Book update: First draft SUBMITTED (and a thank you gift for you)

I JUST SUBMITTED THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE PARENT HACKS BOOK TO MY EDITOR. CAN YOU TELL I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS? A photo posted by Asha Dornfest (@ashadornfest) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:44pm PST This site exists because of hundreds of you were willing to share. People I didn't... Continue reading

Posted Nov 21, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Flying with kids: 5 smart family boarding strategies

Given all the airline policy changes in recent years, I figured it was time to revisit the topic of flying with kids. Here are some ideas for streamlining the boarding process, but I hope you'll chime in, especially if you've recently flown with your kids. Continue reading

Posted Nov 10, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Book update: First draft almost done

So much goodness swirled around this week, but I've barely looked up or shared any of it. I'm heads down finishing the manuscript for the Parent Hacks book, which is consuming most of my conscious thought at the moment. This is only the book's beginning; my first attempt to transform... Continue reading

Posted Nov 7, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Not ready for Halloween? Here's your 2-item to-do list.

There's still time for this to be the best Halloween ever. Continue reading

Posted Oct 31, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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In support of teenage trick-or-treaters

My teenage son is going trick-or-treating this Halloween. I'm happy about it, and here's why. Continue reading

Posted Oct 30, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Old gloves transform into a creepy toilet paper "butler"

May I hand you some toilet paper? Continue reading

Posted Oct 27, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Turn leftover picnic supplies into reusable, adorable Halloween decorations

Turn the last few picnic supplies cluttering your pantry into easy, clever Halloween decorations. Continue reading

Posted Oct 23, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Glow in the dark no-carve Jack-o-lanterns

Create a glow in the dark pumpkin by coating it with non-toxic zinc sulfide powder. Part Halloween decoration, part science project. Continue reading

Posted Oct 21, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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8 Jack O'Lantern hacks to make decorating your Halloween pumpkin easier (including not carving it)

Pumpkin carving is one of my favorite Halloween traditions, but it's not the most kid-friendly project, nor is it without effort and mess. Time to hack the Jack O'lantern. Parent Hacks readers are a practical bunch, and together we've come up eight ways to simplify Halloween pumpkin decorating. Perfect for... Continue reading

Posted Oct 15, 2014 at Parent Hacks

1

8 tips for your child's first Halloween

How do you best prepare your toddler (and yourself) for her first Halloween? Continue reading

Posted Oct 13, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Turn a plastic drink carton into a pet food scoop

I HATE buying small, overpriced packages of anything. Because of this hack, the money I save on dog food will pay for the fancy pet food storage bin I now keep in my basement. I admit, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself about this one. I invite you to follow... Continue reading

Posted Oct 9, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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10 ways your butcher can save you time in the kitchen (for free)

Having the butcher help me with dinner is the closest I'll ever come to having a prep cook. I'll take it. Continue reading

Posted Oct 6, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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DIY bottle holder lets babies feed themselves

I already love the Oball by Rhino Toys -- it's my #1 gift for new babies. But THIS hack? Damn smart. From sueb262: From the very first, my granddaughter has been independent. When she was about 2 months old, she started trying to hold her bottle herself, but it was... Continue reading

Posted Oct 1, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Heat pancake syrup with your old bottle warmer

The bottle warmer is one of those baby gear items you just don't need. At least Ingrid came up with way to repurpose hers. Continue reading

Posted Sep 29, 2014 at Parent Hacks

1

Your turn: Creative uses for...the binder clip

I love "new uses for old things" -style tips. The cheapskate declutterer in me can't resist a) reusing an item I already have and/or b) avoiding buying another "unitasker" which will eventually make its way into the giveaway pile. As I've been sifting through the archives for book research, I've... Continue reading

Posted Sep 25, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Freeze french toast by the loaf for quick weekday toaster breakfasts

Jill's simple tip makes french toast easy and quick enough for weekday mornings. Continue reading

Posted Sep 24, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Easier school lunch packing: designate a pantry "lunchbox zone"

My kids just started middle- and high school and I still hate packing school lunches. Continue reading

Posted Sep 22, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Teach kids time management by writing on the clock

Golden's hack helps her kids learn to better manage their time. Continue reading

Posted Sep 19, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Why "art career" isn't a contradiction in terms: my behind the scenes look at "The Boxtrolls"

Last Spring I was invited to LAIKA for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how The Boxtrolls was made. “Behind-the-scenes” anything is fascinating. But I was especially excited to learn about (and share with you) an example of a vital workplace filled with artists and technicians. Especially because my daughter is a budding artist herself. Continue reading

Posted Sep 18, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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Apply nonstick cooking spray in front of the open dishwasher

Why didn't I think of this? FOREHEAD SMACK OF BRILLIANCE. Continue reading

Posted Sep 15, 2014 at Parent Hacks

3

Organizing tweaks now that "back to school" has become "in school"

I associate my kids' first week back at school with a return to routine and a predictable span of hours to work and think. Much as I'm sad to see summer fade, I think: it's easier during the school year. But it isn't. At least not right away. Continue reading

Posted Sep 11, 2014 at Parent Hacks

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