Parent Hacks

Soft bath toys as drool absorbers

Have you got a drooler? A gusher? A saliva factory? When my son was a baby his mouth was like a tap you could never fully turn off. But Steffie's discovered a solution (or, at least, a handy plug).

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Adjusting room temperatures in a centrally-heated home

It's cold. You turn up the thermostat. One room in your house feels nice and warm, but another never heats up (or gets too hot). What do you do?

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Sponge + Ziploc = no-drip icepack

Great idea, and likely more comfortable (and cheaper) than our old standby, a bag of frozen peas. Any other DIY ice pack ideas?

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Puke-protect the car seat with Glad Press'n Seal wrap

Jennie turned a wine bottle tote into a portable carsickness cleanup kit. She follows it up with a bit of preventative prep using Glad Press'n Seal wrap. IMPORTANT: Read safety warning on this post.

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ONEMoms in Ethiopia: First health, then happiness

How can you possibly sum this photo up? Photo credit: ONE/Karen Walrond Before you can be happy, you have to be healthy. It sounds like a platitude you'd read in Chicken Soup for the Afflicted Soul, but I'm seeing it in the most literal way here in Ethiopia. Health --...

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When your "balance" looks different

When parents judge each other without the benefit of the full story.

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Kid takes swim vest off while in the pool?

What happens when you combine the stubbornness of a toddler with the increased manual dexterity of a preschooler, then add water? You have a kid who can undo the buckles on his floaty swim vest. Here's how Jennifer staved off the problem (for the next few pool visits at least).

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How to clean vomit from carpet? Talk amongst yourselves.

Our best tips for cleaning vomit from carpet.

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How to get a child to stop nailbiting? Talk amongst yourselves.

Parenthackers share tips for getting a child to stop nailbiting.

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Best way to heal a thumb-sucker's dry, cracked thumb? Talk amongst yourselves.

Dry winter air + constantly-damp thumbs = cracked, painful skin. Adam's wondering what other parents have done to speed healing. Got any tips?

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How to childproof the dishwasher? Talk amongst yourselves.

Nicole needs our help to keep her son out of the dishwasher! Ideas?

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Baby wipes as face cleansing cloths

I've ALWAYS questioned the need for specialized facial and body cleansers. If there's a good reason why using baby wipes on one's face is a problem, please say so in the comments.

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MC Hammer as childproofer: Can't touch this!

Nate Smith (not just any Nate Smith; the best Nate Smith) came up with a way to show his son which stuff not to touch.

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Vomit hack: "pave" the path to the bathroom with old shower curtains

Like rolling out the red carpet. Of barf.

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At what age do you stop letting your kid see you naked?

How do you talk about nudity and body issues in your family?

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