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!
Then came the years Belinda was in the parade in an array of costumes. Costumes made by me – Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Pocahontas, Peter Pan… are you getting the Disney theme? Yes, we were obsessed with Disney and we wore out many VHS tapes before DVDs came around. Then as Belinda got older, it was decorating her bicycle. Cards in the spokes to make the flipping sounds – okay, am I really showing my age now? Red, white and blue shirts, shorts, and hats…
I’m super excited I get to spend the day with mom… the first time in many years we have actually spent the day together on her birthday. Yup, today is mom’s birthday. Not to worry, I tell how old you are because honestly, no one would believe me.
Hope Wissel 