Babies don't come with one either so I think we could put together a great list of tips & tricks for newbies and for one another.

Please post ONE TIP PER POST WITH THE GENERAL TOPIC IN THE TITLE BAR. Post as many tips as you'd like, just post often so I might actually be able to organize everything into categories at some point.

Please avoid lengthy explanations of why, just stick to the tip. Please do not converse about tips, the 'thank you' button will suffice here.

See post #2 for an example.

This could be a really cool resource if we all give it our best!

An old-fashioned bottle opener will help you pop the seal on a new jar of jam, etc.

Keeping small hand tools such as needle-nose pliers and a seam ripper in strategic locations is a life saver for many applications.

A good sense of humor. You MUST be able to laugh at yourself.

"you wanted yours on the floor, yes?" is a fav in our house. If you take everything you do so seriously, its gonna be a long ride.

Keep a pencil (or pen) and a small tablet or notebook in a few places within your house. When you think of something you need or want to accomplish make a simple note of it. You can refer back to your notes and stay on top of your daily tasks.

Example.....make iced tea; today is trash day; pay such-and-such bill on Tuesday; call in rx refills; buy cat food, etc.

Keep several pair of reading glasses in strategic places around the house....especially by the phone and in the kitchen.

Keep one complete change of clothing in a bag in your car (or trunk). This bag should include underwear, socks & shoes, clothing, wet wipes, 1 roll of toilet paper, 1 dry bath towel, trial size deodorant and a small garbage bag.

Place a white, dry erase board in a central location of the home like the kitchen. Put important events and appointments on it to help remember what is going on.

An option to traditional mobility aids (cane, walker) are Trekking Poles

They make training wheels for adult bikes. dont be afraid to use them if you need extra support for a bit.