Being a parent is all consuming with non-stop ups and downs throughout every single day. These 30 clever parenting hacks just may be game changers for you. The following hacks can help you simplify your life and make you feel like you can control what’s going on just a little bit better than before. Hey, every parent needs a bag of tricks! Get started with these then come up with your own from your imaginations. From meal planning to car rides with Littles, these hacks will get your brain working in a new way because every parent has to do it their way!
Parenting hacks are creative, unexpected solutions to kid-related problems. Think of them as work-arounds and aim to find your own. We can help get you started and then you can find even more in the book, Parent Hacks: 134 Genius Shortcuts for Life With Kids by Asha Dornfest.
30 Clever Parenting Hacks
- Printable Meal Plans, such as these from CalendarLabs can be a total game-changer for you. Spend a few moments on a weekend afternoon planning for your week ahead and you’ll cut down on grocery shopping expenses by knowing exactly what you need and having your dinner ideas satisfied, too.
- Use That Crockpot and create great recipes like these with as little fuss as possible.
- If you haven’t tried a meal delivery service, check these out: HelloFresh; Dinnerly; Factor; In Good Company Nashville; Home Chef; EveryPlate.
- Engage your kids to help around the house. They can help with everything and you can reward them by noticing and thanking them. From cooking to cleaning to fixing stuff to gardening.
- Keep a plastic bin in your car with diapers, wipes, extra clothes, sunscreen, snacks.
- Keep “Go Bags” around the house, pre-packed with activities and things you need when you’re away so you can just grab and go!
- You don’t need to buy a cap to keep suds away from kid eyes when washing hair. Just use a washcloth!
- Teach your kids to have conversations from an early age. RESIST THE URGE TO SPEAK FOR THEM!
- Teach kids independence. As often as possible, when they ask you for something say, “You can do it yourself, right?”
- If you have girls, keep hair ties handy on your wrist.
- Wake up each morning before the kids to feel like you’re ahead of the game.
- Take a picture of it: If your child wants something new (such as a toy) they see, offer to take a picture of it to remember for later. It’s a tantrum saver!
- Set aside 20 minutes a day for each of your kids just to chat or watch them play — instant, solid connection.
- Make it a race: who can dress the fastest? Who can get to the car first? This hack can work for quite some time with multiple kids.
- Teach your baby simple sign language such as “Food,” “More,” “Milk,” etc. Helps to cut back on frustration.
- Easy lunch for kids: Fill a muffin tin with 12 different food items like cereal, pretzels, salami, baby carrots, apples, pickles, granola, etc.
- Use your pizza cutter or scissors to cut food items into little pieces.
- NEVER ask a child if they want to do something that isn’t optional.
- Double protect kid beds with a mattress protector then a sheet then a mattress protector and another sheet. If there’s an issue in the middle of the night, just remove the top layer to get them back to bed quickly.
- Cut baby and toddler toes nails while they are in their high chair.
- Put whole outfits for kids on hangers and hang them rather than folding — makes it easy in the morning for kids to grab a hanger.
- Consider having dinner ready for kids when they get home from school ravenous rather than letting them snack! Then serve a snack later.
- Use a plastic laundry hamper (with holes) in the tub for little kids and their tub toys.
- Use a neutral third party like Alexa. Preset reminders for things like school, etc. Nobody can argue with Alexa.
- Teach your kids to drink water instead of juice or soda.
- Only use your diaper genie for dirty diapers. Wet diapers can go in the regular trash. Cuts down on expensive refill purchases.
- Place a shower curtain under baby/toddler highchairs for spills and dropped food. Toss it in the washing machine when necessary.
- Use a small laundry bag for kid socks. When it’s laundry time, put the socks in the bag and they’ll all stay together.
- If you want your little kids to eat, make some food for yourself but don’t offer them any. They will start circling like sharks.
- Play your kids’ favorite movie soundtrack in the car when you’re driving. Keeps kids listening and not whining.
READ MORE: How to Raise an Independent Kid
