There is no harder job in the world than being a parent. Even those people who train their whole lives and climb Mount Everest would say so– I guarantee it. And you have probably read a bunch of articles claiming to have the hacks and the tricks that will make parenting a breeze. Suddenly, you will have all this free time to paint your nails and drink wine! To take trips and settle down with a good book, uninterrupted for hours.
Look, I am not purporting that with this list. I do not believe that if you follow the tricks in this list, suddenly the cloud of parenting responsibilities will lift and suddenly, you will be your old self again, with all the time in the world to binge Friends and order pizza. But these tiny tricks, many of which take minimal effort, might just stop the screaming and the crying and the arguments for like, a split second. And that is what makes them worth it.
We all have to be the bad parent sometimes.
But, if you have some of these hacks in your back pocket, you can trick your kid into thinking you're being the good parent when you're actually making them clean the entire house.Keeping track
"When you go out, color code your brood," this brilliant mom writes. "Makes it easier to spot them in the crowd."Shower pool
If you don't have a bathtub in your home or the hotel you're staying in, baby pool it up! It's easy to take with you, and it will solve that pesky problem.Out of order
Parenting Hack: Carry an ‘out of order’ sign in your wallet at all times in case you encounter an unexpected delay… https://t.co/nnqyR4fi3p— Peter Neill (@Peter Neill)1510397551.0
Sticky window toys
"My toddler was busy for over 30 minutes playing with these window stickers on the plane. Easy to pack, fun for them, and CHEAP!" this parent writes. Now all you have to do is make sure you get a window seat.Pool Noodle Buffer
When your toddler is trying out the bed for the first time, prevent roll-offs by using pool noodles as a buffer!Tape tracks
Use tape to build out roads and cities for your kid to explore with Hot Wheels and remote control cars! Um, I wish I was still a kid so I could do this.Ice cream trap
Kids were hiding from their chores. Just played a recording of ice cream truck jingles; kids came running... #ParentingHack #NailedIt— Stephanie Ortiz (@Stephanie Ortiz)1439921962.0
Yogurt pops
This is the literal easiest way to make a delicious and somewhat healthy treat for your kids that will totally trick them into thinking that they're having dessert. Stick yogurt in the freezer and bam! Frozen yogurt.Backwards shirt
If your kid is complaining about wearing a certain shirt, flip it and claim it's another shirt. They're dumb– and they will believe you.Ice cube meals
Sometimes kids don't actually hate the food you're trying to feed them. Sometimes they're just cranky and bored. Try making meals more fun by serving them healthy food in an ice tray!Lying for the greater good
Whoever said lying was universally bad didn't have children. Kids don't know what they like. If you tell them they liked a thing even if they claimed they didn't, they might like it this time. It's a chance you should totally take.Disconnected headphones
Sometimes I walked past my daughters' room with headphones connected to nothing so they think I can't hear them. #parentinghack— Red Hairing (@Red Hairing)1489627051.0
Rubberband door locks
This is one of the simplest tricks you can do that will prevent your kids from endangering themselves. They are young and stupid and don't know how to do things. They need you.Rubberband toilet paper
Again, one of the easiest things you can do to prevent young kids from wasting all that toilet paper. It's a no-brainer.Sponge leis
If your kid is one of those that likes to run around outside during the summer getting beet red and sweaty, make a necklace out of sponge pieces and soak it in water to keep them cool.Paint the ground
Oh gosh, a kid could be entertained for hours by "painting" the ground with water, especially if it's warm out and the water keeps drying.Slip-proof booties
Use fabric paint or hot glue to make slippers or footie PJs slip-proof. I could have used these on my socks when I was 4 and ran around the living room. I probably wouldn't have this scar on my chin if my parents did this.Drinkable applesauce
I know they make those little drinkable pouches of applesauce now, but you can make the little single-serve cups just as convenient by popping a straw through the wrapper. Voilà !Story prompt
#ParentingHack: When your kid "can't sleep" assign them a story prompt and say you want to hear a full story in the morning.— Mandy Hubbard (@Mandy Hubbard)1452706805.0
Strapped in
When you're at the grocery store, strap your kid and their drink bottle into the shopping cart seat all at once! This is a genius idea.Baby bib
Look, sometimes your kid is going to fall asleep on you. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to eat. Make a napkin bib and chow down!Yogurt paint
If your kid is one of those that can't help but stick everything in their mouths, make paint out of yogurt and food coloring! It might smell rank, but at least it's edible.Ankle saver
from lifehacks
Snow bricks
If my parent taught me to make igloos with this trick when I was little, I would have been the queen of the neighborhood.Baby-proof BBQ
Sometimes playpens aren't about keeping babies in, but rather they can be used to keep babies out. Brilliant.Vacuum
I've convinced our 8-yo that I hate the sound of the vacuum so now she vacuums whenever she's mad at me. #ParentingHack— xannie the nanny (@xannie the nanny)1505065878.0