Trade tricks

NOW HERE’S A TIP

• Banish bad dreams with air freshener! One reader says that to give her kids a boost of nighttime confidence, she took the label off of a spray can of lavender air freshener. She gives the room a few puffs of “Monster Go-Away Spray,” and the kids sleep better. The bonus is that lavender is known for being a sleep enhancer.

• “A quick and natural soother for sunburns is cucumber slices. You can lay them on the skin for about 10 minutes for an instant cooler, then put them in the fridge for 10 minutes and re-apply.” — P.I. in California

• “Friday nights are Mom’s Night Off in our household. At the end of the week, we all gather together for a movie and takeout. We talk about the week, and it really helps us connect and plan the upcoming weekend together.” — F.S. in Arizona

• “I make little mini-cheesecake tarts. I only use a thin layer of crumb crust, a super-thin layer of cheesecake filling and a large amount of chopped fruit on top. — R.C. in New York