Parenting isn’t always easy, is it! There may not be a manual to help make it easy for us, but thankfully there are websites full of parenting hacks that can help.
So I took a look around and compiled a list of some great hacks to help make your life easier, cleaner and a lot less stressful.
Parenting hacks to make your life easier
I love this list of parenting hacks from Bored Panda. Parenting small kids can be tiring, especially when you’re tired yourself. Who hasn’t had a needy toddler who wants to feel loved and needs a little human touch - but you’re just too dog tired to stay with them? Check out #8 as its total genius! It recommends putting a bean-filled glove on your little one’s back as they drop off to sleep, so they feel loved and supported. As one commenter stated, fill it with barley and microwave it for 30-40 seconds to heat it slightly. However, it’s also wise to remove the glove before they wake up!
And if you’re planning a baby photoshoot for your little one, you’ll love tip #20!
Parenting hacks for fun time
Meanwhile, over on Lifehack, they have 50 top parenting tips that will make life easier and more fun. I love the idea of keeping a lint roller in your crafting space (#1) to help you pick up glitter.
If you want to get your kids outside to play with paint, give them a giant canvas - in the form of an old white sheet. Want to provide them with a bit of shelter from the sun? Opt for a hula hoop and a bedsheet. Wrap one end of the sheet around the hoop and let the long side of it drape down to form the sides. You can then tie the hoop with string to suspend it from a tree branch.
Has your little Picasso drawn their latest creation on your living room wall? Grab a can of WD40. It’s great for removing crayon.
Parenting hacks for around the home
Over on the kidsactivties.com website, they have 20 hacks for the house. I particularly love the idea of using an elastic band to help prevent kids from getting locked in the bathroom. You wrap the band over one door handle, before stretching it around the edge of the door, before wrapping over the other handle. When you pull it around the edge of the door, you twist it to cross over the door latch, so it prevents the door from shutting correctly. When your child is at the age of knowing how to lock a door, but not unlocking it, this will prevent the door from being locked in the first place.
Another one for the kidsactivties.com site: if you’ve got a child who just loves pumping out the liquid soap, limit how much comes out, by twisting a rubber band around the pump nozzle. The perfect amount for small hands!
Permanent marker on your wooden cabinet? Use toothpaste to clean if off your wooden furniture!
There are so many great parenting hacks out there to help make your life easier. I couldn’t list them all here, but if you’re looking for more genius hacks, check out 100 genius hacks on the BuzzFeed site, and 27 amazing parenting hacks over on twentytwowords.com.
And finally, as a parent myself, I know how easy it can be to shoot yourself down when you get something wrong. But be kinder to yourself! You won’t always get things right, you won’t have all the answers and sometimes (most times!)your children will make a mess when you turn your back for a second.
But with the tips above it’ll be easier to clean up and stay calmer when they do!
Have an excellent parenting hack that isn’t listed above? Why hot help a parent out by sharing it in the comments box!