Six best credit cards for Mom (or Mr. Mom)

$222,360. That's what the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates it costs to raise a typical American child from birth to age 18. Now imagine getting, say, 2 percent of that amount back in the form of credit card rebates. That's about $4,500 that you could save or earn by switching your everyday spending to one of the six best credit cards for parents:

For the busy mom who buys in bulk

The True Earnings Card from Costco and American Express started off as a small business credit card designed to help entrepreneurs save money. However, clever moms have figured out that redeeming the credit card's cash back rewards checks at the nationwide warehouse retailer can result in an extra cartload of groceries every few months.

Blogger Kimberly from "Addicted to Costco" writes that this card's like "always having a coupon for everything I buy without involving scissors." When you use the card as your Costco Executive Membership, you earn a 2-percent cash rebate when you stock up on groceries and household supplies at any of the big box chain's locations.

For the mom who needs "me time"

MTV Visa Card from Capital One might not sound like the kind of card a mom would carry, at least at first glance. If you're worried that cashiers will think you've watched too many episodes of 16 and Pregnant, think about all the bonus rewards this card offers. This Capital One credit card offers an exclusive set of music and entertainment rewards that rack up, especially when you treat yourself to a night at the movies or a fancy meal.

You'll earn five points for every dollar spent on entertainment, or two points per dollar spent in restaurants. Fast food drive-throughs count, giving you double points when you cave in to the kids' pleas for chicken nuggets. The iconic moon man on the front of the card even reminds you that you're getting "Money for Nothing."

For the mom who's always playing taxi

The PenFed Visa Platinum Cash Rewards Card supports military families with a whopping 5 percent rebate on gas purchases, and 1 percent back on everything else. One advocacy group's survey reports that many American moms drive 29 miles per day, running errands and shuttling kids between appointments. With gas prices hovering around the $4 mark, saving a few nickels on every gallon can add up.

Best of all, you don't even need to be in the military to qualify for one of the best credit card deals going. Pentagon Federal Credit Union extends membership to anyone with a personal or family connection to the Department of Defense. Non-DOD Americans can also become credit union members by making a one-time donation of $15 or $20 to either of two military charity organizations.

For moms with escape plans

Escape by Discover Card offers hope for moms who can't wait for their next vacation. After paying the $60 annual fee, you'll earn 1,000 bonus miles for every months you pay your credit card bill on time, for a maximum bonus reward of 25,000. That's enough miles for a domestic flight on most discount carriers, or for a weekend night hotel stay at most well-known chains.

Because Discover converts every 10,000 miles into an unrestricted $100 travel credit, you decide where and when you want to park the kids with a relative for a trip out of town. Earn your escape even faster with double miles on every purchase, plus extra bonuses when you make online purchases through Discover's website.

For penny-pinching moms

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express nets you an impressive rebate of 3 percent at supermarkets, and 2 percent at department stores and on gasoline purchases. With no annual fee or spending minimum, it's like AmEx just wants to give moms free money. Because this card does carry an APR that's a little higher than most of the best credit card deals on the market, moms can squeeze the most from Blue Cash by paying off their balances every month.

Earning 1 percent back on all other purchases should offer enough incentive for you to start using Blue Cash for as many of your routine bills and expenses as possible.

For moms building college savings

Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards American Express Card remains one of the best rewards credit cards available, because your earnings actually go up with your spending. Instead of earning points or miles that you can use right away, Fidelity diverts your rebates into a child's 529 college savings account at Fidelity Investments.

There, it can grow tax-deferred until your child reaches college age. Pay for your kids' tuition with the proceeds, and you won't pay any taxes on your earnings. It's an easy, effortless way to set aside up to 2 percent of your annual spending for college expenses without actually locking down your own funds.

The best rewards credit cards require applicants to have "good" or "excellent" credit. However, many credit card issuers now use alternative risk models that actually benefit moms by focusing more on recent financial activity than on long-term trends. If you took time off from work or scaled back your hours around the birth of your child, lenders may be willing to base a decision on your relationships with banks and landlords.