7 'parent hacks' even non-parents will appreciate

As a parent, there are some things best learned from books or pediatricians (When should you introduce certain foods? At what temperature fever should you call the doctor?).

But the majority of the day-to-day skills that you need to survive life with little kids are learned the hard way: through trial and error, experience and commiserating with other parents.

Things like, how do you keep toys from overtaking your house? How do you get funky sippy cup parts clean? How can you convince your child to try new foods? (Yes, these are play date conversation starters, and they don't sound quite as boring when you're in the thick of raising little ones and looking for advice.)

A book released in April takes these tips and tricks typically learned through the grapevine and compiles them into a hand-held resource.

"Parent Hacks" by Asha Dornfest (Workman, $12.95) includes "134 genius shortcuts for life with kids." The hacks are quick to flip through and clearly illustrated, and a few of them are useful even for those who aren't parents or who are beyond the exhausting youngster stage.

Here are seven parent hacks that are useful for anyone, parent or not.

1. Batch-sign and address birthday cards in advance. Set an alert to remind yourself to send each card on time and you'll be done with belated greetings and birthday card guilt.

2. Press small clothes with a flat iron. This works for adult clothes like shorts and scarves, too — especially handy when traveling.

3. Replace shoelaces with elastic to turn lace-up shoes into slip-ons. True, this tip was written for toddlers who don't know how to tie their own shoes, but it's equally useful for adults who are always rushing out the door.

4. Put the ketchup under the hot dog. Less mess for everyone.

5. Contain dirty tissues with a tissue box trash can. Avoid nightstand trash piles when sick by taping an empty tissue box to a full one.

6. Clean up glitter with play dough. Anyone with a crafty side will appreciate this trick.

7. Cut cake with floss. Wrap a piece of dental floss around your fingers and firmly and evenly press it downward on the cake for cleaner cuts without the knife.