It’s funny...I used to look at other moms and think “Wow! They’re experts. I need to take note.“ Truth is no one is an expert. We’re all just learning as we go! One mom doesn’t have anything over another. I have learned from experience, mistakes and my other mom friends. That’s one thing I love about being a part of a playgroup. We bounce ideas off of each other and share each other’s experiences. It has given me so much wisdom! Or at least the know how to make it through the day Lol!! I have compiled some of my favorite mom hacks and asked my playgroup moms to give me some of their hacks as well!!
At Home:
Do your kids get tired of sandwiches or not like them at all? Instead roll the bread flat with a rolling pin, top with sandwich fixings and roll up. Slice sushi style.
Babies really don’t know the difference between nursery rhymes and lullabies or murder mysteries and rap songs. The important thing is to read and sing to them, so do the things you like!
Apply diaper cream directly to the diaper. Their movement will smear it around for you. No sense in getting it all over your fingers.
Get Huggies wipes for easy one handed jobs. The dispenser has teeth so it doesn’t come out in one big glob.
Out and About:
Be prepared: Besides the obvious diaper bag and change of clothes I always keep grocery bags and an old towel in the car for wiping off wet slides or cleaning up big messes. I throw the soiled things and muddy shoes into the grocery bags. I’ve been known to pack a sand pail in case an older kid gets sick in the car as well. Oh and I almost forgot....a simple first aid kit with band-aids, foaming antiseptic spray and a one time use cold pack. Trust me. You will use it one day!
Pack like you will be gone all day. I pack plenty of snacks and diapers in case something comes up and we are out way later than expected. There’s nothing worse than having to make a store run while you’re out because you didn’t bring enough.
When potty training or going on long trips line their car seat with a puppy pad. That way if they have an accident you don’t have to deal with a soiled car seat.
If you’re in a place where you need to change a diaper and there’s no changing table just slip the clean diaper under them first before changing them. If it gets messy you have that diaper there to keep it from getting everywhere like on a friend‘s couch!
Is your child terrified of automatic flushing toilets? Cover the sensor with toilet paper so it won’t flush.
Night Time:
Fill medicine to the correct measurement before bed so there’s no stumbling around in the dark to console a sick or teething baby.
Get a digital forehead thermometer. You won’t even have to wake them to check fevers.
Make layers in bedding- place a waterproof mattress pad down, then fitted sheet, then a puppy pad, and another fitted sheet. That way if they have an accident (especially helpful when potty training) or a leaky diaper in the middle of the night you can just peel a layer off and put them back to bed.
When They Are Sick or Teething:
Use earplugs for those extra fussy days. Deafening the sound of their crying keeps you from losing your mind. Try it! I swear it works!
I can never get my kids to chew on cold teethers, so I make frozen yogurt melts to help with the pain. Just fill a piping bag (or even a ziploc baggie with a corn cut off) with yogurt. Pipe little dots onto parchment paper and stick in the freezer. They love the taste and it dissolves quickly, so they won’t choke on them.
If they refuse taking medicine, wait until they are sucking on a bottle or paci and slip the syringe with medicine into the side of their mouth. Since they are already sucking they will just suck the medicine down. You can always add it to their bottle as well.
Life will hand you all kinds of hacks as you and your kids grow! I am constantly learning from my mistakes and just every day living. I hope these few tips will help you get a start on making life a little easier with littles in your home, though!
Do you have a hack? Please share them! Like I said...I’m always learning. 💕
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