The Busy Parent
By Belinda Miller

Kid on hip, baby in stroller, cell phone in hand negotiating dinner/sitter/birthday party plans, the busy parent considers an uninterrupted bathroom experience practically a vacation. Having happily chosen the chaos of parenthood, even the busiest parents have time to miss the serenity of the pre-child days. Lend a helping hand with these gifts.

Handmade Baskets
Beautiful baskets catch household objects and help a busy parent maintain a sense of control. From the tiny, beautiful Indonesian baskets decorated with shells ($6.95) to the black and natural raffia and banana fiber lace bowl ($29.95) made in Uganda, your gift catches compliments and clutter. Produced under Fair Trade conditions, these products support many communities through health care programs, education, and fair wages.

Gift: Indonesian and Ugandan Baskets
Cost: $6.95-$29.95
Where to Buy: World Of Good

A Green Clean
When queried, 4 out of 5 busy parents said they wanted someone to clean their house the way they'd like to if they had the time. (The fifth wanted cashmere socks.) Do an internet search for your local non-toxic, ecologically minded housecleaners; it's a growing field. In NYC, Zen Home Cleaning has a four hour introductory cleaning at $30 per hour, while Craiglist has listings for earth-friendly house cleaning in nearly every city.

Gift: Eco-house Cleaning
Cost: About $30/ hour
Where to Buy: Zen Home Cleaning or Craigslist

Peaceful, Easy Feeling
The End-of-the-Day, 10-Minutes-of-Peace Chillout will be made so much better by The Club Organic Lounge Chair, an attractive, modern lounger made with an organic hemp cover, organic cotton batting and natural latex foam. The frames are crafted from sustainably harvested American hardwoods, so parents can have peace of mind with their rare moment of tranquility.

Gift: The Club Organic Lounge Chair
Cost: Chair $2,900.00, Ottoman $1,000
Where to Buy: Dax Stores

A Little Head Space
One thing that is not helpful to a busy parent is being told to slow down, find time to relax, meditate. Who has the time? This is the first book that honors the fact that most parents are, yes, TOO BUSY to stop and think. Thornton knows they're not going to actually read it with full attention, so he includes Try It Now tips and memory devices to hook them.

Gift: Meditation in a New York Minute: Super Calm for the Super Busy, by Mark Thornton
Cost: $12.95
Buy It At LIME!