The girls and I were doing some painting this weekend so I could take photos of our creations for a story I'm doing in the June issue of Her Times (last-minute Father's Day gifts you can make!). And, I wanted to remember to share a tip with all you moms & dads out there.

Ever find yourself struggling to keep the kids from mixing up the paints -- particularly with the younger set. You try to teach them to rinse the brush and dry it between each color, but...it never works -- the colors end up getting mixed...or, worse, end up a watered-down mess.

I have a great solution.

Buy yourself a pack of cheap paintbrushes (you can find them at most dollar stores) and put one brush in each pot. Then...make sure the kids understand that brush must stay in that color. No water is needed!

I am so anal that I even color-code the brush to the pot. Check it out:

Got two (or more) kids arguing over one color...put a couple of brushes in that pot.

When you're done painting, be sure to wipe the threads of each pot with a paper towel before you close them up!