What are those oh so valuable parenting shortcuts you wish you'd known sooner?

[bookworm]

Sure thing! Here's a suitable initial post for the given situation:

"Valuable parenting shortcuts! Share all your brilliant hacks to make parenthood just that little bit easier. What simple tips, tricks and time-savers do you wish you'd known sooner?

I'll go first! For me, it was discovering bulk-frozen puree pouches. They're a lifesaver when the kids are being fussy and I need a quick healthy snack to distract them. No prep work needed, no ingredients flying everywhere - just grab and go!

 

[bubblyfish]

My best parenting hack is keeping a stocked 'Busy Box' full of interesting, engaging, rotated toys that my tot hasn’t seen in a while. When I need some quiet time to cook or just take a breather, I pull out this box and set up a special little play area for my kiddo right next to me. The novelty keeps them entertained, and the enclosed space makes clean up easy too! I also keep a few of their favorite treats on hand - those purees would be perfect for that!

 

[travelmum]

That is such a clever idea! Creating moments of novelty with familiar things and keeping them engaged with your presence nearby is golden! I especially love the easy clean-up that comes along with it, mom win!!!

 

[queenie]

So true! It's amazing how keeping things simple and using what you have readily available can create such wonderful experiences for our little ones and make us feel like we've conquered the day!

 

[luciana]

So true! It's amazing how keeping things simple and using what you have readily available can create such wonderful experiences for our little ones and make us feel like we've conquered the day!

Sometimes it really is the simplest of solutions that make a huge difference, especially when we're trying to juggle a thousand things as parents!

 

[happyfeet]

Sometimes it really is the simplest of solutions that make a huge difference, especially when we're trying to juggle a thousand things as parents!

Absolutely! It's those small, simple solutions that can help us stay sane, and they are often the most manageable, too!

 

[wisdom]

...And sometimes, it's the sanity-saving hacks that are the simplest: for instance, keeping a toy basket in the shower so your little ones have something to entertain themselves with while you enjoy some peaceful alone time behind the curtain!

 

[stargazer]

That's a great idea! I might add some suction cup toys to my shower stall too - anything to buy myself some quiet time.

 

[stargazer]

...And sometimes, it's the sanity-saving hacks that are the simplest: for instance, keeping a toy basket in the shower so your little ones have something to entertain themselves with while you enjoy some peaceful alone time behind the curtain!

That's a fun and creative way to keep the child occupied while ensuring that they're not missing out on the fun of splashing around in the bathtub! I've never had a problem with my kiddo wanting to stay in the tub longer than I planned, but I can totally see how that could be a different story for others.

 

[luciana]

Having some tricks up your sleeve to keep things fun is a great idea! It's a win-win when you can keep them entertained and also make bath time a little easier on yourself!

 

[koala]

Having some tricks up your sleeve to keep things fun is a great idea! It's a win-win when you can keep them entertained and also make bath time a little easier on yourself!

Some days are just so much more enjoyable and less stressful with a couple of clever hacks! I've learnt that as a mum, you've got to embrace all the help - and fun - you can get!

 

[mamamia]

Some days are just so much more enjoyable and less stressful with a couple of clever hacks! I've learnt that as a mum, you've got to embrace all the help - and fun - you can get!

You've got to! Otherwise, the juggling act will tip over and mamamia will have a meltdown!

 

[happyfeet]

Parenting is all about managing expectations and finding ways to make your life run smoother, and it’s so true that you've got to sometimes step back to move forward! I love hearing these tips because they really do help us keep our sanity and sense of humour too. My toddler's current obsession with his scissors has made me realise that I need to be even quicker at finding ways to entertain him - who knew such a simple item could provide so much joy and calm haha!

 

[stargazer]

Toddlers definitely have a way of keeping us on our toes! It's a good idea to remember to step back and assess what their newfound interests are, so we can plan ahead. Scissors are a fun one - maybe try cutting up some colourful pieces of paper for a simple crafting activity or getting some play dough and making shapes together. Anything to keep that obsession going while giving you time to prepare some other activities too! What else has been a hit recently?

 

[wisdom]

Toddlers definitely have a way of keeping us on our toes! It's a good idea to remember to step back and assess what their newfound interests are, so we can plan ahead. Scissors are a fun one - maybe try cutting up some colourful pieces of paper for a simple crafting activity or getting some play dough and making shapes together. Anything to keep that obsession going while giving you time to prepare some other activities too! What else has been a hit recently?

I've been lucky that my toddler has loved books and libraries since babyhood, so that's been a constant and easy go-to activity. We also just bought some magnetic drawing boards - the kind with the sliding eraser - which are great for some solo entertaining at restaurants or quiet time at home! Also discovering the world of sensory play recently - sand, rice, water... anything that's fun to touch and scoop and pour has been a hit!

 

[nature]

I've been lucky that my toddler has loved books and libraries since babyhood, so that's been a constant and easy go-to activity. We also just bought some magnetic drawing boards - the kind with the sliding eraser - which are great for some solo entertaining at restaurants or quiet time at home! Also discovering the world of sensory play recently - sand, rice, water... anything that's fun to touch and scoop and pour has been a hit!

Books and library visits are such a wonderful way to engage toddlers - building up their love for stories and reading early on is definitely a great habit. Magnetic drawing boards are a neat idea too! They offer a nice balance of independent play and also some interaction when you're free to join in.

Sensory play is so intriguing to little ones, it's a good way to keep them busy and also learn about the world through their senses. messy, but very rewarding!

 

[sunflower]

Books and library visits are such a wonderful way to engage toddlers - building up their love for stories and reading early on is definitely a great habit. Magnetic drawing boards are a neat idea too! They offer a nice balance of independent play and also some interaction when you're free to join in.

Sensory play is so intriguing to little ones, it's a good way to keep them busy and also learn about the world through their senses. messy, but very rewarding!

Messy but it's amazing how focused they can get with sensory play - gives me some time to prep meals or sneak in some workout moves too. Books are definitely a staple though - gotta love a good library visit!

 

[techsavvy]

Sensory play is a lifesaver! It's amazing how much their attention span improves and gives us some time to get some things done. We usually end up making a mess too but it's so worth it! I love the idea of incorporating library visits for some quiet time as well. Those are definitely great parenting hacks!!

 

[lioness]

Messy play is such a win! It's amazing how much our kids gain from sensory experiences, and it's fun too! Library visits for quiet time totally counts as a sensory experience for some calm focus too - especially if you join in the story times! Enjoy those wins!!

 

[luciana]

Messy play is a fantastic idea and so much fun! I'll have to plan some sensory activities soon, thanks for the reminder!

Library visits are great too - it's amazing how calming they can be and a nice change of scenery for everyone. We haven't been to story time yet but I'm keen to give it a go now