Whether you are a judgy mom, a Pinterest mom, or even a mom with strong issues about grocery carts, we are all in this parenting gig together. It’s all too easy to get caught up in shaking our head at one another. Instead, look around and notice the amazing tricks moms are busting out left and right. And then, pass along these mom hacks and share the love to make our job a tad bit easier!
Sharpie in the Purse
This personally frightens me a little. {Okay, a lot.} I’ve got a couple of curious toddlers who often empty the pockets of my backpack. I like to think they are just helping me make sure I’m prepared. Regardless, find a spot that you can hide a Sharpie, especially if you have older children who might have a water bottle at the pool, park, or play area. I saw a mom of older boys bust out the Sharpie to label her kids water bottles at Stomping Grounds. No more, “This one’s mine.” Problem solved. Signed, Sharpie Mom
Yogurt Containers in the Car
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, right? This one is a bit of my own genius. Okay, perhaps just a lucky result of my hoarding. Wash out a couple of small yogurt containers after use and keep in your center console. You might be stuck in traffic with only one large bag of Goldfish or having multiple errands to run with the only snacks being the bag of pretzels you just purchased at the grocery store. Instead of handing a large bag to the backseat for two children to argue over who holds, or perhaps refuse to eat until they get to hold {and this is where you nod that this indeed happens to you as well}, break out your yogurt containers and serve up snacks at a stop sign.
Gallon Water Jug at the Park
We aren’t inside people. It doesn’t matter how hot Houston gets, we just have to get out…and this means park trips in the middle of July. This summer we made it our mission to visit as many new parks as we could, and on one of these trips I noticed a mom of 4 older boys sitting in the shade with a gallon of water and cups. No sippies or water bottles in sight. I told her she was genius, and she let me know that the boys even pack it all up. One kiddo grabs the water and another grabs 4 cups, and off they go. It sounds like that plan is in my future. We will always be stocked with a gallon of water. {And probably save the jug. I’m sure we can craft something out of that, right?}
Carseat-Carrying Troubles No More
Newborn moms, I’m not leaving you out of the mom hack love. I loved this trick so much upon discovery that I even blogged about it in those good old days when I kept up with my personal blog. Go check it out and give your weary arms a break. And bonus, you don’t even have to get suckered into purchasing those carrying pads.
Silicone Muffin Liners in Lunch Kit
This mom hack has been floating around Pinterest for a while, but I know several of my friends have thanked me after sharing. I pack school lunches, park snacks, and even lunches for the hubs this way. Silicone muffin liners are perfect for separating food in a single storage container, convenient for a speedy lunch at school, and healthy in providing a variety of snacks.
Bendy straws! So many restaurants give kid drinks in shorter cups but same size straw. I kept mine in a travel toothbrush holder and threw it in my diaper bag. I would have to trim them first but the shorter length worked.