School holidays can make parenting that little bit trickier. With a lack of routine and late bedtimes, children can easily start to misbehave.
I don’t know about you, but I adore a good life hack. Since becoming a mum, I am pretty obsessed with anything that will help me get through the day.
Some of the ideas I have come across have saved me huge amounts of time and money, leaving more of those things for when it really matters.
School holidays can make parenting that little bit trickier. You might have to arrange childcare that is usually not necessary and there is a huge amount of pressure on us to give our children THE best summer of their lives.
There is also a considerable amount of conflict that can happen when the kids are not entertained as well as they are during the school year.
We have found some brilliant parenting hacks that could really help you out this summer. I know I’ll be leaning on a few!
Continue With Packed Lunches
I know it sounds a bit bizarre but this one makes sense. You might be feeling pressured to prepare elaborate lunch options and ideas, but the kids are happy to dig into their regular favourites. Preparing a little packed lunch means that it’s covered regardless of how the day pans out. It can be taken with you for days out, enjoyed in front of the TV or out in the garden as a picnic.
Keep Sun Cream In The Car
This has been a life-saver for us even in those last weeks of school. An impromptu park trip or a sudden burst of sunshine have left me with red-faced children more often than I’d like to admit. These days, it’s always at arm’s reach no matter where we go.
Keep Valuables Safe At The Beach
Summer usually means a couple of beach or park dates for most families. While the kids are paddling or playing, you might get a bit distracted and find yourself moving away from your personal items. Wrap your phone, keys and money in a nappy and fold it up. If thieves are about, they won’t touch it!
Toddlers Love Painting In The Garden
I love this one. Give your toddler a paintbrush and a bucket of water and let them “paint” various things in the garden. The fence, the shed or the ground for example. This gives you time to hang the washing out or read your book in peace while they happily play.
Cupcake Cases And Ice-Pops
Who doesn’t love an ice-pop on those hotter days? Unfortunately, they usually end up on your children’s clothes, covering their skin and on the floor. Feed a cupcake case up through the ice-pop stick and open it up so it catches anything that drips from the ice-pop. Genius!
DIY Phone Number Bracelet
If you are out for the day you might be worried about your child wandering off without you. We hope to never be in this position, but having your phone number written down and around your child’s wrist will make all the difference. There are tonnes of step-by-step guides to show you how to make an ID bracelet from your own home.
Clean Toys In the Dishwasher
Summer is a great time to do a toy clear-out. It’s also a time where toys are used a lot more (and possibly full of sand from a trip to the beach). Fill the dishwasher with all plastic (non-electrical) toys and give them a good clean effortlessly.
Turn Your Blow Up Pool Into A Play Pen
You might be lucky enough to use your blow up pool a couple of times this summer, but it might come in handy on those colder days too. Inflate it, fill it with toys and it’s a genius play-pen where your baby or toddler can safely play within a cushioned structure.