Just a few household items, some creativity, and you can make those long summer parenting days just a little easier while keeping the kids happy, too!
Did you know according to a NEW Groupon survey, most parents are ready to send their kids BACK to school after 13 days of summer vacation? Are you one of those parents? I would have to disagree with this survey. When Belinda was growing up, I loved summers. It was a nice break from the craziness of school, sports, competitions and more. When she was younger, she spend mid-week in Ocean Grove with family and weekends at home. Once she got hooked on gymnastics – life changed but summers were fun.
These hacks may not change your life, but they might save your sanity – and give you more time for the things which really matter.
- Save time in the morning by putting your children to bed in their school clothes. (Boy moms, especially, swear by this one!) Would you do this?
- Recycle used coffee creamer containers or use our Hide & Peek Pouch for on-the-go snacks. They fit perfectly in diaper bag bottle pockets and car cup holders.
- Place two layers of fitted sheets and waterproof mattress pads over your little ones’ beds for easier cleanup of overnight accidents. Genius!
- Keep a portable, Cinch Sac or a Picnic Thermal Tote in your car for wet or soiled baby clothes.
- Did you know the shoulder tabs on infant bodysuits are meant to help you pull a soiled outfit down instead of up over the baby’s head? Who would know this? LOL!
- Save trips from the car to the house by keeping a Deluxe Utility Tote in your trunk for all of your shopping bags.
- Use a makeup brush to apply diaper rash cream to help keep your hands clean.
- Poke your ice pop’s stick through a cupcake liner to catch drippy messes and keep hands and clothes clean.
- Cupcake liners are also an easy way to protect kids’ drinks from bugs during picnics. Just put one over a plastic cup and pop a straw through the top.
- Make more room in your diaper bag by keeping an Essential Storage Tote, packed with an extra blanket, toys and a change of clothes, in the car.
- Lay painter’s tape over your door locks to prevent toddlers from locking themselves in their room.
- A pool noodle under the fitted sheet makes a great impromptu bedrail.
- You can also cut a pool noodle in half lengthwise and wrap it around a door to prevent slammed fingers.
- Line a collapsible Stand Tall Bin with a garbage bag to create an on-the-go trash can for camping trips.
- Use a hanging shoe storage bag to organize blocks and other small toys.
- Keep a sliced apple from browning before lunch by wrapping it in plastic wrap.
- Detangle doll hair with a little dish soap and conditioner. OMG! I wish I knew this before….
- Use a pizza cutter to slice pancakes and waffles into bite-sized pieces for little fingers.
- Make any footed PJs slip-proof with a little puffy paint on the soles of the feet.
- Sunshine can be a surprisingly effective baby stain remover. Just leave the item of clothing outside to dry and watch the stain fade in just a few hours.
Fill a Double Duty Caddy with art supplies so it’s ready to go on rainy days.- You can machine wash your kids’ plastic building blocks and other toys in a mesh delicates bag. (Just don’t put them in the dryer!)
- Hang bibs on the back of a highchair using removable hooks.
- Free up space in your child’s lunch bag by using a frozen juice box as an ice pack. Did you know lunch thermals were on sale this month????
- In a pinch, you can quickly childproof cabinets with hair ties.
- Store ice pops vertically in the freezer to make them easier to cut open.
- An empty blow-up kiddie pool makes an impromptu play pen indoors or outdoors.
- Pack kids’ outfits – tops, pants, socks and accessories – in individual bags or Zipper Pouches for easier travel.
- Give each child his or her own Large Utility Tote to carry their laundry to the washer and back from the dryer.
- Freeze homemade baby food in an ice cube tray for perfect portion sizes.
- Create a giant dry erase mat with a dollar-store shower curtain.
What are some of YOUR favorite mom hacks? Share them with us….
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 