One day, my daughter called me saying her kids never let her take a nap. She couldn’t believe it when I told her a few tips that helped her nap in peace and look after her kids better. It was like I’d handed her the keys to a secret kingdom of parenting.
I’m Nancy, and my daughter Allison is a single mom to two energetic kids, a 6-year-old girl, and an 8-year-old boy. Since they were born, Allison has always worked full-time. Either I babysat the little ones, or they were at daycare.
A boy with his sister | Source: Midjourney
Recently, Allison quit her job and decided to stay home with the kids during their vacation. She wanted to spend more time with them before finding a new job.
I thought she was doing well until she called me yesterday, sounding utterly exhausted.
“Mom,” Allison sighed into the phone, “I can’t even have a 15-minute nap! They constantly wake me up… I promised them we’d go to their favorite park afterward, but it doesn’t work!”
A stressed woman | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Oh, honey, of course, it doesn’t work!” I said. “They’ll just wake you up faster! Listen carefully, if you want to rest undisturbed for a while, tell your kids this: ‘Guys, I want to take a nap, but when I wake up, we’re all going to do the chores together.'”
“Really? That’s it?” Allison sounded skeptical.
“Trust me, they will let you sleep much longer than you think. I found it on Reddit when I had the same problem with you kids. But it’s not just this hack. There are many others.”
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
Let me share all the tips and tricks I told my daughter yesterday. But these hacks aren’t just limited to parents. Even grandparents can use these tricks to look after their grandchildren.
1. Eat Your Veggies!
Let’s talk turkey (or rather, carrots) about getting those little monsters to eat their greens. We’ve all been there: the power struggles, the picky eaters, the feeling like you’re bribing a small army. But fear not, I know a sneaky little trick that can solve this problem.
A child with a bib | Source: Unsplash
If you’re struggling to get your kid to chow down on their chlorophyll-packed goodness, try serving those veggies before dinner. Let me explain why.
Little tummies tend to be growling by dinnertime, making them more receptive to anything that resembles food.
So, whip up a plate of crunchy carrots and cucumber sticks and present them as the grand appetizer. Bonus points for serving them in a fancy glass. Kids love a good presentation.
A woman chopping vegetables | Source: Pexels
2. Always Ready for Bed
If you take your kids swimming in the evening, then I’ve got the perfect hack for you to get them ready for bedtime.
When it’s time for an evening dip, simply toss those cozy PJs into your swim bag. After the splashing and showering is done, your little ones can slide right into their sleepwear, no frantic searches or desperate negotiations required.
Even if they’re not quite ready to hit the hay just yet, they’ll be prepped and primed for a seamless transition to dreamland.
A boy in pajamas on the bed | Source: Pexels
No more stalling tactics or bedtime battles. Just a smooth, stress-free segue from splashing to snoozing.
3. The Burp Hack
Ah, the infamous newborn burp, the bane of many a new parent’s existence. Although Allison wasn’t struggling with this because her kids are older now, I still told her so she could share it with her friends.
A woman with her baby | Source: Unsplash
So, the trick is to sit your little one on your knee, support them under the armpits, and gently move their upper body in a circular motion. It’s like a reverse hula hoop but for burping.
This simple maneuver seems to do the trick far faster and more reliably than traditional methods. I’ve tried it so many times, and it works!
4. Meltdown Madness
The next time your little one is in the throes of a full-blown meltdown, try this: simply ask them what color their shoes, shirt, or any other article of clothing happens to be.
A boy sitting on a chair | Source: Midjourney
This simple question acts as a gentle distraction, snapping them out of their intense emotions and refocusing their attention on something external.
It’s almost like a mental reset button. The child suddenly hasn’t thought about what was upsetting them, and instead finds themselves contemplating the hue of their favorite pair of jeans or the pattern on their socks.
5. The Countdown Trick
As any parent knows, transitioning a little one from playtime to pack-up time can be a recipe for meltdowns and resistance. But I’ve got a secret that can make things easy for you.
A woman at the playground with her kid | Source: Pexels
The secret lies in using a concrete, visual timeline that your child can easily understand. Rather than vague warnings like “we’re leaving soon” or the dreaded “two more minutes,” get specific with your countdowns.
For example, you might say, “Okay, let’s see you go down the slide one more time. Six more slides and then it’s time to go.”
The key is to never use a number lower than five. Anything less is bound to be met with the classic “just one more!” plea.
Girls on a slide | Source: Pexels
By giving them a clear, quantifiable target, you’re empowering your child to have a sense of control and closure over their play session. Moreover, six slides feel like a substantial number, giving them the satisfaction of getting their fill before reluctantly wrapping up.
6. Consistency is Key
We’ve all experienced that moment when our child pushes the boundaries, testing our resolve with a blatant disregard for the rules.
A close-up shot of a child crying | Source: Pexels
At that point, it’s quite tempting to issue a stern threat, hoping it’ll nip the behavior in the bud. But the true test lies in our ability to follow through, 100% of the time.
You see, kids are born boundary-pushers, constantly exploring the limits of what they can get away with. But as wise caretakers, we must remain steadfast in our approach.
If you tell your little one, “If you throw sand again, we’re leaving the beach,” then you’d better be prepared to pack up and head home, no matter how inconvenient it may be for you.
A girl throwing sand on the beach | Source: Pexels
The key is to ensure the consequences you impose don’t impact you to the point where you’re unwilling to actually follow through. A hard line to toe, for sure, but the payoff in terms of building trust and respect is immeasurable.
7. Put It on the List
Picture this: you’re out shopping with your kid when suddenly their eyes light up at the sight of the latest must-have toy or game. The pleading begins, and before you know it, you’re in the throes of a full-blown negotiation.
A girl with her hands on her face | Source: Unsplash
I’ve got a hack to handle this tricky situation.
Next time your little one spots something they simply must have, calmly tell them to “put it on the list.” This brilliant strategy serves two purposes.
First, it avoids the dreaded “no” that can so often lead to arguments and tears.
Instead, you’re redirecting their focus to a list, which is a tangible way for them to keep a track of their desires.
A girl writing something | Source: Unsplash
Second, this tactic plays right into the hands of the forgetful child. If they’re the type to lose interest in their “must-have” items as quickly as they discover them, chances are they’ll completely forget about that toy by the time the next holiday rolls around.
This trick will definitely help you avoid arguments in the store.
8. The Ear-Covering Lie Detector
Outsmarting a little one’s sneaky tendencies can feel like a full-time job, but this ingenious hack puts the power back in your hands.
A girl covering her ears with her hands | Source: Midjourney
Simply tell your child that their ears turn red when they’re telling a lie and watch in amazement as they instinctively cover their ears the moment the lies start flowing.
9. Lead by Example: The Sleepy Bedtime Hack
When it comes to getting your little one down for the night, the secret may lie in your bedtime routine.
Instead of reaching for your phone or burying your nose in a book, try this simple yet effective hack: let your baby watch as you drift off to sleep.
A woman sleeping on the couch | Source: Unsplash
At their bedtime, resist the urge to entertain yourself. Instead, get cozy, close your eyes, and practice being still and quiet. Your little one will naturally follow your lead, observing your relaxed state and picking up on the cues that it’s time to settle in for the night.
10. Turning Chores into Games
When faced with the dreaded toddler tantrum, try transforming even the most mundane tasks into playful competitions. Whether it’s brushing teeth or cleaning up, you can easily turn potential powder kegs into cooperative fun.
A mother talking to her kids | Source: Unsplash
Invent tooth-brushing relays or cleaning races, where the kids become eager participants instead of reluctant subjects. The simple act of making it a team effort or a friendly challenge can defuse any brewing battles, replacing tears and frustration with laughter and camaraderie.
It’s a genius way to transform everyday chores into engaging playtime, keeping everyone happy and harmonious.
So, this is all I told Allison during our phone call yesterday. I hope these tips help her look after her kids better.
A woman talking to her daughter on the phone | Source: Midjourney
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