Welcome to Parent Hacks.
We've got forehead-smackingly smart tips that help you simplify family life, save money, and have fun. Hacks come from parents just like you. Because you're an expert. You're a Parenthacker.
"The prospect of opening an advent calendar door for each potty success worked amazingly well to motivate my 3-year old son after chocolate buttons, jellybeans, temporary tattoos and a sticker chart had all failed. It was like magic!"
Our kids love to wear temporary tattoos -- those colorful decals that go on with a bit of water. I don't mind them wearing the tattoos, but I don't like trying to remove them...
There's nothing better than a dead-simple toy that invites hands-on (or mouth-on!) experimentation. Especially when said "toy" can be purchased at the hardware store for practically nothing.
Stacy has been changing diapers for seven years. That's a LOT of diapers. And she has just discovered a simple change in technique that keeps her baby's hands out of the "poop zone."
Cristina's solution to sticky diaper cream-covered hands: To keep hands (and thus everything else) clean during changes when we have to apply rash cream, I bought an inexpensive foundation makeup brush. The gloppiest cream can be applied liberally this way and the clean diaper put on without all the cream...
Becky titled this hack "Inspiring underwear." I say: inspired underwear for those who are looking to motivate beginning potty-trainers: They say you should let your potty-training child pick out some big-kid underwear at the store so that he/she is inspired to keep them dry for potty training. But when I...
Lisa says lose the travel wipe container! When I was a new mom and carried a big diaper bag with every possible baby supply, I used a plastic, portable-sized and refillable baby wipe container. The problem was that I was always worried that I would run out of wipes, and...
A gentle hair-washing hack from Kate: If you are afraid of shampoo in the eyes, or have sensitive skin, try a baking soda paste to wash hair. Seriously. No suds, safe to ingest, leaves hair squeaky clean. Follow with conditioner. Cheap, too! Is baking soda magical or what? You can...
via leechbabe.com Never again shall "but I couldn't find the brush!" be an excuse for wild hair. Hilarious! Thanks for sharing this on the Facebook page, Marita.
Bring back the stocking cap! Tracy did and it kept her daughter cozy in bed while keeping heating bills low: My daughter took a bath before bed and was uncomfortable and cold because her hair was wet. Being that this time of year the heat doesn't always kick in as...
In the comments of a hack showing hair accessories stored in a plastic cleaning tote, Mia shared her method, which may work even better for some: We've started using a tackle box to store my daughter's hair accessories. The bottom is big enough for brushes, detangler, etc. It can be...
Several folks have responded to my queries about kids' hair management with a simple just cut it. Ponytails are cute and all, but many folks would never go back after experiencing the freedom, peace and time gained by a simple chin-length bob. From Sarah: I love long hair and wish...