Able to make Halloween costumes, find tap shoes, summon pets, give baths, hang backpacks, soothe boo-boos, bake brownies and drink extra-strong coffee in a single bound!

She's Supermom!

She doesn't exist, of course.

But get some experienced moms together, and watch the advice fly: Savvy shortcuts. Ingenious ideas. Top-secret tips that aren't written in parenting manuals — but should be.

We asked about a dozen mothers to share some handy tricks — things that might save a fellow mom some smidgen of frustration.

If you have a time-, money- or sanity-saving trick, let us know. (See box.) This just might merit a sequel.

Baby days

• If you need to nurse your baby and you're wearing a buttoned blouse, unbutton from the bottom. The top of your shirt will keep everything hidden.

• Make several copies of your baby's birth certificate before placing it in a safe-deposit box. Chances are, the copy will be fine for most things.

• Use a backpack as a diaper bag. It frees up your hands, and husbands are more likely to shoulder a backpack than a pink bunny purse. Later, your child can use the backpack for school.

• When you have a newborn, take lots of pictures and have them developed right away. If the photos don't turn out, you'll have time to catch the next coo.

• Start a photo tradition on your child's first birthday. Take a photo of her every year beside a certain landmark (a tree in your yard), with a stuffed toy or wearing a college T-shirt.

In the kitchen

• Invest in high-quality plastic dishes when the kids are small — ones that are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. That way they can set the table and load the dishwasher without worry.

• Always keep cake mix, brownie mix or frozen cookie dough on hand. You never know when you'll be called upon to make treats.

• Snacks for school don't have to be sweet — or complicated. Think popcorn, cheese blocks and slices of apples.

• For cool bottled water by lunchtime, fill a bottle halfway and freeze overnight. In the morning, fill it up with water.

• Have your child practice opening containers at home before you send them in his lunchbox.

• From babyhood, water down juices, Kool-Aid, etc. It saves money, it cuts back on sugar, and kids get used to the taste.

Travel tips

• Before a long car or plane ride, wrap several trinket toys or snacks in gift wrap or tissue and haul one out every so often. It's a great distraction for cranky kids.

• For babies and toddlers, "early boarding" just means more time in the cramped quarters of an airplane. Have a travel partner board early to get your things settled while you wait in the terminal with the kids.

• Bring changes of clothes for each child AND an extra shirt for Mom. Kids spill and spit up along the way, and you don't want to arrive at your destination a complete mess.

• Keep a large, up-to-date picture of your child in your purse. It might come in handy if, heaven forbid, he wanders off.

• Give your child a disposable camera or inexpensive point-and-shoot for trips. You might be surprised by her perspective.

• Kids hike longer and with less complaining if they have a big stick.

Special occasions

• Stock up on gifts for birthday parties your child is invited to, and keep gift bags on hand. For older kids, keep a stash of gift cards to bookstores or electronics stores.

• For low-maintenance birthday parties, serve cupcakes instead of cake and ice cream bars instead of ice cream. No slicing or scooping.

• Don't try to choose or anticipate what your child will be for Halloween, and don't buy the costume too far ahead of time. But set a deadline for picking a costume, to prevent last-minute panic.

• Take advantage of after-Halloween sales. Stock up for next year, buy cheap things for the dress-up trunk, get some hair glitter for dance performances and face paint for school carnivals.

School days

• Volunteer as much as possible. Not only do you help your school, but you get to see what's really going on — how your child acts in class, who her friends are, etc.

• School clothes get dirty with art projects and recess. Save the expensive outfits for elsewhere.

• Keep a folder or drawer for school work, one for each child. At the end of the year, go through the papers and keep a few. At the end of the year, each paper doesn't seem so important to the child, and you can see the truly outstanding pieces you want to keep.

• When working a school carnival, take the last shift. If your replacement doesn't show up, you won't be stuck running the booth all night long.

• Make friends with other team moms. Carpooling is a lifesaver for gymnastics, softball, swimming lessons, etc.

Common sense

• Set a rule early: No TV before school. Nothing can derail a morning like a kid stuck in front of the tube.

• If you're planning something special, like a trip to the zoo, don't tell your child until minutes before the event. You never know what could come up, and that way you don't risk a grumpy, disappointed kid.

• Buy only washable crayons and markers.