ALL ABOUT THAT HACK LIFE

Parenthood is hard, why not make it easier?

Binky-dishwasher hack

The holes in the Avent binkies are the perfect size and have the flexibility to fit over the dishwasher rack stems. Not only does this help you clean binkies if you don’t have a dishwashing basket, it will hold other items, like those bottle nipple collars in place around the stems, during the cycle. It is recommended to sterilize bottles and nipples for the first year of life. Milk (when left out unrefrigerated, or uncleaned fully) sometimes contains germs that cause babies, who are still vulnerable under one years old, to become sick. However, in my experience, a good run through the dishwasher, before the sterilizer, made me feel better. With the binky’s strapped in over all the bottle pieces, made life easier for me. Nothing was found in the bottom at the end of the cycle, and nothing was broken! Mom-win for sure.

Binky holders

I may have just partied too hard in my early 20’s, but when I think of plastic ramekins I think of jell-o shots! Now I’m almost thirty and my child’s binky is like a magnet to the floor. Repurpose those jell-o shot containers…err… I mean plastic ramekins, as binky protectors! Easy to just pop in the diaper bag, stroller or even car and not have to worry about dog hair, or germs getting to your baby. I won’t judge if you use the extra ones to relive your younger years!

Easy cleanups after meal time

If you little one is like mine, he hates getting wiped cleaned. Its a struggle every time! Enough was enough, so I just put some warm water in a Tupperware container with a squirt of soap, and let him have at it. Sensory + clean up=win for mom! Added bonus, it cleans the highchair tray too!

Pool noodles

In today’s world, everyone is worried about germs, and protecting their families. Bringing the kids to the weekly shopping trips are for some people unavoidable. Let make it easier! If you have a spare pool noddle at home simply cut it in about 4-5 sections, then slice it longways. This will now be perfect to bring added protection against shopping cart germs, for our teething toddlers, and also give a soft alternative to those hard, uncomfortable shopping cart seats. Take it one step further, place cut pieces on trampoline springs. Keep kids ON the trampoline and protect them when they fall. Have a glass coffee table or dinning table? Not ready to get rid of it just because you had kids? Edge your table with pool noodles to protect those nasty head bumps. Finding bite marks on your baby’s crib? Put a pool noodle on the crib ledge, problem solved! The possible noodle hacks are endless, these are just my favorite.

Mesh Bag

Mesh bags are so underrated in my opinion, and it’s about time we hold them in the spot light! In our first apartment there was no washer and dryer, so going to the laundromat was a weekly ordeal. We lost plenty of socks, mainly because those laundry carts have holes which are larger than infant socks. But life was soon made easier when I found this mesh bag. It was great! It even helped organize the laundry after washing. No socks were stuck to other clothes, and none were left for the dryer to eat. You can also take it one step further and use it to wash toys. I wouldn’t recommend using a laundromat for this, but if you are lucky enough to have a washer and dryer at home, wash legos, dolls, cars, plush teething toys, and stuffed animals. A must have hack to have!

Lint Roller

If there is one thing I always have in my car its my lint roller. One of the most embarrassing things I’ve used it for was this one time when I ran out of tape to wrap a gift…hey it worked, right? But its my favorite tool. Obviously I use it for my wardrobe which mainly consists of black leggings, and oversized t-shirts. Its also perfect for anything that includes glitter, and crumbs. We take a lot of trips in the car so the car seat always has left overs. The lint roller is the easiest way to clean up all those little crumbs. I used to love glitter, but after having to clean it off the kitchen table after arts and crafts, we are no longer on speaking terms. The lint roller is a great way to grab all those pieces of anything, especially those foam playmats, because glitter doesn’t ever stay in one place.

Everyone’s got a poop story…right?

I have too many shitty stories to share with you all, but in the moment, you feel like a failure and are not sure how to even tackle this mess. Do I start with the walls and move inwards? Do I even attempt to wash this or should I just throw the whole baby out at this point? Don’t worry, your not alone. Even better, I have a solution. Dress you little ones for bed, with their one piece pj’s on backwards. They cant tear off their diapers, or enjoy some diy sensory time.

Swifter Hack

We all know that our husband’s underwear and sock draw consists of unmentionable things, including old, stained, ripped up socks. Don’t throw them out! Use what’s left of them to wrap around that swifter when you’ve run out of pads. Those disposable pads are a waste anyways in my opinion. You can also purchase reusable pads for your mops that are machine washable, and will save you money in the long run!

Paint dispensers

Repurpose those empty squirt bottles, or soap dispensers to use for keeping paint. This makes it easy to use for you, and your little ones, and reduces the chance of a real mess! Use those little plastic ramekins, mentioned earlier, to hold each color, and eliminate overpouring and waste! This is easy to use and makes painting fun again.

Bedside bucket

Those first few nights, weeks, and months adjusting to parenthood is hard. Waking up every 2-3 hours is not ideal, and getting out of bed is such a pain, literally! Keep a basket filled with a couple bottles already filled with the right amount of formula powder, a jug of distilled water, extra diapers and wipes, burp clothes, extra outfit for baby, binky, extra socks, and whatever else you might need in a pinch. Don’t even have to leave your bed, when the baby is nearby.

Kitchen Hacks

Kitchen hacks are my favorite kind of hacks. The kitchen is my space, and where I find myself most of the time. No matter how organized you are, messes still find their way to the kitchen. Repurpose your folder keepers to store things like foil and parchment paper. Use stick-on hooks on the inside of your cabinet doors, to hold your hand towels, pots, lids, and whatever else, without being an eye-sore. Hang a tension rod under the sink to hang all your sprays and use paper clips to hold up things like sponges and bagged goods like dish detergent pods, and rubber gloves! Utilize your cabinets even more by placing weekly food menus/ dinner ideas, recipes, emergency contact information, and even your Wi-Fi password for easy access.

Comment down below to share the hacks that make your life easier! Which one is your favorite?