Let toddlers pour beverages over the open dishwasher door
Rebecca prefaced this hack with, "I swear someone must have already sent this in, but just in case..." Yet again, a tip one parent figures everyone else knows and I find myself slapping my forehead at her brilliance!
When kidlets want to pour their own milk or juice at our house but cannot be trusted not to spill, we open up the dishwasher and let her use the flat door surface as a table to pour on.. If she spills, no big deal, it can just be closed and the next time I run the dishwasher, it is cleaned up for me. Another benefit is that it is the right height for the kidlet, so they have an easier time balancing the milk or juice container over the cup.
(or any Amazon link at Parent Hacks), you throw some change into our tip jar without any extra steps or cost to you. Thank you!
FABULOUS HACK! Thank you, Rebecca! :-)
Posted by: ChristieNY | 12 June 2007 at 11:51 AM
I also use my dishwasher door for spraying pans with nonstick spray -- just rest the pan on the door, spray like crazy, and all that slimy extra stuff just goes on the door instead of all over your kitchen sink.
Posted by: Marjorie | 12 June 2007 at 12:49 PM
So brilliant.
Posted by: Amy | 12 June 2007 at 01:21 PM
When learning to pour we also have bought the small clear Dixie cups and somewhere in the middle we draw on a "fill" line. The concept is, the child can then fill the cup to the line thus hoping to prevent those overflows.
Posted by: Shelley | 12 June 2007 at 03:05 PM
What a GREAT IDEA!!!
We had a big brother banned from pouring for himself and had to endure little sister pouring for him (is that humbling?)
He always seemed to rest the top of the milk jug on the cup and tip the cup over. You hint takes care of the mess and the original problem- not being tall enough.
Great hint!! I never would've thought of using the dishwasher door for anything!
Posted by: alabamabrands | 12 June 2007 at 03:39 PM
This is a GREAT hack!! My 5 year old often spills, but I think it's because she gets help pouring from her 2 year old brother. ;) I will now tell her to do it on the dishwasher door! Thanks so much!!
Posted by: Barb | 13 June 2007 at 11:41 AM
How 'bout we let toddlers pour *inside* the dishwasher? Mine has a baby rack.
Posted by: Sarah | 16 June 2007 at 02:45 PM
umm....aren't there dangerous things in the dishwasher, like knives?!? and breakable dishes? Seems like a bad idea to me.
Posted by: kenneth | 17 June 2007 at 07:40 PM
I'm with Kenneth! Add the gunky dishwasher powder that sometimes sticks in the dispenser along with the food splashes that gather on the inside of the door as we fill it.
Posted by: michelle | 19 June 2007 at 03:30 PM
I think Rebecca has shown us an excellent way to teach her kids a wonderful independance! Thank you for the tip!
Posted by: Krista | 04 July 2007 at 05:45 AM
I want to find good pop music. Help me please.
Posted by: Kalebarkab | 09 June 2009 at 11:02 AM
I think i've seen this somewhere before…but it's not bad at all
Posted by: Derekp | 24 June 2009 at 08:20 PM
duh!!!! why have i never thought of this!
Posted by: Lori | 25 June 2009 at 09:32 AM
I read your article with great pleasure. Thank you.
Posted by: Mangola | 12 July 2009 at 02:00 AM
Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
Posted by: derekpm | 12 July 2009 at 09:53 AM