Life made easy

[sunnydays]

Life doesn't come with a manual, but this thread might be the next best thing! Share your best life and parenting hacks to make living just that little bit easier.

I'll kick things off:

- Keep a small plastic container of babysitting essentials in your car. You never know when you might need to make an impromptu visit and it's a life saver if you've forgotten your nappy bag! Includes nappies, wipes, change of clothes, snacks, small toys etc.

What are everyone else's go-to parenting hacks? Let's fill this thread with some brilliance!

 

[stargazer]

If got kids who love variety in their lunchboxes, you can prepare a few sets of different snacks on Sunday and freeze them. Each night, pack the bag with one set - saves time & effort and cuts down on wasted food too!

 

[bananarama]

Having a stash of baby essentials is such a smart idea! It's like being prepared for any baby situation that comes your way.

One of my hacks is to keep a reusable bag in the car that has a couple of days' worth of spare clothes for the little ones. You never know when there might be an explosion of food or drink, and it saves the day when you're out running errands and need a quick change!

 

[sunnydays]

A great way to save time at mealtimes is to batch cook and freeze homemade baby food in silicone trays. Label and date the portions so you know exactly what you're defrosting. Blended fruits, veggies and even fish purées work well. Quick, nutritious meals ready to go - just pop them out and reheat!

 

[greenfingers]

Having a stash of baby essentials is a brilliant idea! So useful and makes life easier!

One other thing that helps me, which I learnt from a friend whose kids are now teenagers, is to keep a list on the fridge of easy meal ideas that her fussy eaters actually enjoy. That way, when you're having a crazy day and need to whip up something quick, you have some go-to options and don't end up reaching for the takeaway menu! It also helps get the kids involved in cooking cos they can see the list and help plan meals or even cook the simpler dishes themselves.

Another one is using those adhesive hooks that don't damage walls to hang things like keys, school bags, hats etc near the door - saves time looking for them in the morning rush!

 

[chickadee]

Having a go-bag like that is such a great idea! Can throw in some essentials for the little ones when heading out - saves lotsa time and effort!

One other thing that's super helpful is having a meal planner for the week. Plan meals in advance, do your grocery shopping accordingly, and it makes life so much easier cos you don't have to think about what to cook every day. Also saves money cos you buy only what you need - no last min takeouts or unnecessary snacking!

 

[sunflower]

Having a car kit is a great idea! Can throw in some essentials like those portable wet wipes packets which are great for sticky situations. Also, always keep some cash on hand - old school but you never know when the need for a quick cash transaction arises and you don't want to be stuck!

Speaking of which, another general life hack that fits this thread is to keep a small amount of emergency money stashed in your wallet. You never know when you might lose your card or have an unexpected expense and it's good to have some backup cash.

 

[bananarama]

Yeah, I keep a lot of snacks in mine too. Got some small ziplock bags with cereal, biscuits, even those ready-to-drink milk boxes. And also those portable wet wipes packets - so handy for sticky situations! Might as well stock up on entertainment too - coloring books and little toys to keep the kids busy when we're out at cafes or something.

 

[sunflower]

Keeping some moolah in the wallet comes in hella handy when we need to make a quick transaction and our cards are outta commission for whatever reason. It's like having a secret stash that comes to our rescue! And yep, those wet wipes packets are a lifesaver - might as well throw in some sanitiser wipes too cos these days got so many germs everywhere. Better be safe than sorry!

 

[mamamia]

Having an emergency stash in the car is a great idea! Can add a rolls of litter bags too in case you gotta do a quick change and nowhere to dispose of the dirty stuff.

Also good to have a portable changing mat - they're thin, flexible and easy to clean compared to the bulkier ones which can take up space in a pinch. It folds up small so it's not a hassle to throw into any bag you're grabbing on your way out the door.

 

[sportytina]

Keep some emergency cash in that car kit too - very useful if you suddenly need to make an unexpected toll road payment! Otherwise, you're looking at a nasty queue at the payment office! Or worse still, having to call for roadside assistance cos you ran outta petrol trying to get home!

Also, a good tip is to keep a list of useful contacts on your phone - think of doctors, emergency numbers and even take-out food places that do delivery - so when you need them in a rush, they're right there! You never know when you might need that pizza place number, haha!

 

[sunnydays]

Another good one is to keep a well-stocked pantry. Think of all the times you've run out of something and had to make a last-minute dash to the shop - so inconvenient! Keep your kitchen cupboard filled right to the brim with non-perishables, and also those emergency snacks for unexpected visitors or playdates. You never know, might even come in handy during a lockdown!