Being a parent is like being on a rollercoaster ride—you experience exhilarating highs and nerve-wracking lows. It’s a journey filled with love, joy, and the occasional chaos. But fear not, fellow parents, because I’m here to share with you some invaluable parenting hacks that will not only save your sanity but might also give your wallet a breather.
50 Parenting Hacks That Will Save Your Sanity
1. Make a Weekly Meal Plan
Planning meals ahead not only saves time but also ensures your family eats healthily. Plus, it helps you stick to your budget by avoiding impromptu trips to the grocery store.
2. Batch Cooking
Spend a few hours on the weekend preparing meals in bulk and freeze them. It’s a lifesaver on hectic weekdays when cooking seems like an insurmountable task.
3. Use Baby Wipes for Everything
From wiping sticky hands to cleaning up spills, baby wipes are a parent’s best ally. Stock up on them—you’ll thank yourself later.
4. DIY Baby Wipes
Save even more money by concocting your own baby wipes using paper towels, water, and a gentle baby wash.
5. Repurpose Baby Gear
Once your little one outgrows their baby gear, don’t rush to dispose of it. Convert the crib into a toddler bed or transform the changing table into a storage unit.
6. Reusable Nappies
Not only are reusable nappies eco-friendly, but they also save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Give them a try—you might be pleasantly surprised.
7. Invest in a Good Baby Carrier
A baby carrier not only keeps your little one close but also allows you to move around freely, whether you’re tackling household chores or going for a stroll.
8. Create a Routine
Children thrive on routines, so establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine to make your days run more smoothly.
9. Set Up a Snack Station
Keep hunger meltdowns at bay by creating a designated snack station in your kitchen. Fill it with healthy snacks that your kids can grab themselves.
10. Utilise Online Shopping
Save time and sidestep tantrums by doing your grocery shopping online. Many supermarkets offer home delivery services, making it a breeze to stock up on essentials.
11. Embrace Hand-Me-Downs
Don’t turn your nose up at hand-me-downs. Kids grow out of clothes and toys so quickly that often these items are still in excellent condition.
12. Turn Cleaning into a Game
Get your kids involved in cleaning by turning it into a fun game. Set a timer and see who can tidy up the fastest.
13. Create a Chore Chart
Assign age-appropriate chores to your children and reward them for completing them. It teaches them responsibility and lightens your load.
14. DIY Toy Cleaner
Save money on expensive toy cleaners by making your own with water, vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil. It’s safe and effective.
15. Use a Shoe Organiser for Toys
Hang a shoe organiser on the back of a door to store small toys and keep them off the floor.
16. Double Up on Bathtime
Bathing siblings together not only saves time but also water. Plus, it’s a great bonding experience for them.
17. Create a Family Command Centre
Keep everyone organised by setting up a family command centre with a calendar, to-do lists, and important documents.
18. DIY Sippy Cup Lids
Forgot the sippy cup lid? No problem—use a silicone cupcake liner or a stretchable silicone lid from another container to prevent spills.
19. Keep Spare Clothes in the Car
Accidents happen, so always keep spare clothes and a towel in the car for those unexpected messes.
20. Reuse Baby Food Jars
Baby food jars are perfect for storing small items like buttons, beads, or spices. Get creative with how you repurpose them.
21. Turn Potty Training into a Game
Make potty training more fun by turning it into a game. Use stickers or a reward chart to track progress.
22. Use a Timer for Timeouts
Set a timer for timeouts to avoid power struggles and make the consequence feel less arbitrary.
23. Create a Quiet Time Box
Fill a box with quiet activities like colouring books, puzzles, and stickers to keep your kids entertained during quiet time.
24. DIY Nightlight
Create a DIY nightlight using a mason jar filled with glow sticks. It’s a cheap and easy way to soothe nighttime fears.
25. Rotate Toys
Avoid toy overload by rotating your children’s toys. Store some away and periodically swap them out to keep things fresh and exciting.
26. DIY Crayon Holder
Repurpose an empty baby wipes container to store crayons. It keeps them organised and prevents breakage.
27. Use a Muffin Tray for Condiments
Serve condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise in a muffin tray to minimise mess at meal times.
28. Create a “Lost and Found” Basket
Keep a basket near the front door for items found around the house. It saves time searching for lost items.
29. Turn Socks into Puppets
Don’t throw away mismatched socks—turn them into puppets for entertaining your little ones.
30. DIY Indoor Obstacle Course
Set up a makeshift obstacle course using pillows, cushions, and furniture for a fun and active indoor activity.
31. Create a “Time-Out” Space
Designate a quiet corner of the house as a time-out space where your child can calm down and reflect on their behaviour.
32. Use a Pool Noodle for Bed Rail
Cut a pool noodle and place it under the fitted sheet to prevent your child from rolling off the bed.
33. DIY Bubble Solution
Create your own bubble solution by mixing water with dish soap and a tablespoon of corn syrup for bigger, longer-lasting bubbles.
34. Turn Bath Time into a Science Experiment
Add food colouring to bath water for a fun and educational bath time experience.
35. DIY Play Dough
Make your own play dough using flour, salt, water, and food colouring. It’s a cost-effective alternative to store-bought play dough.
36. Create a “Quiet Box” for Car Journeys
Fill a box with quiet activities like books, puzzles, and drawing supplies to keep kids entertained during car journeys.
37. Use Velcro to Secure Remotes
Attach strips of Velcro to the back of TV remotes and stick them to the side of the TV to prevent them from getting lost.
38. Turn Old Crib Sheets into Picnic Blankets
Repurpose old crib sheets into picnic blankets for outdoor adventures.
39. DIY Fruit Popsicles
Blend your child’s favourite fruits with yogurt and freeze them in ice lolly moulds for a healthy and refreshing treat.
40. Create a “Kids’ Choice” Meal Night
Let your kids choose and help prepare dinner one night a week. It encourages independence and reduces mealtime battles.
41. Use a Laundry Basket for Bath Time
Place a laundry basket in the bathtub to corral toys and keep them within reach during bath time.
42. DIY Play Mat
Turn an old duvet cover into a padded play mat by stuffing it with pillows or old clothes.
43. Use a Dish Rack for Art Supplies
Use a dish rack to organise and store art supplies like paintbrushes, markers, and glue sticks.
44. DIY Sensory Bottles
Fill empty water bottles with glitter, beads, and water to create sensory bottles for calming sensory play.
45. Create a “Feelings” Chart
Help your child identify and express their emotions by creating a feelings chart with different facial expressions.
46. Use Cookie Cutters for Shaped Sandwiches
Use cookie cutters to create fun-shaped sandwiches that will entice even the pickiest eaters.
47. DIY Magnetic Chore Chart
Create a magnetic chore chart using a baking sheet and magnetic strips to keep track of chores and responsibilities.
48. Use a Shower Caddy for Car Snacks
Hang a shower caddy on the back of the car seat to store snacks and drinks for long journeys.
49. DIY Story Stones
Paint or draw pictures on stones to create story stones for imaginative storytelling sessions.
50. Create a “Rainy Day” Box
Fill a box with rainy day activities like board games, puzzles, and craft supplies to keep kids entertained when outdoor play isn’t an option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, parenting can be challenging, but with the right hacks up your sleeve, you can navigate it with ease. By incorporating these parenting hacks into your daily routine, you’ll not only save your sanity but also your wallet. So go ahead, give them a try, and enjoy the smoother ride that parenthood can be.