There are so many parent hacks for babies, but what about when you wake up one morning and you find yourself with a toddler? A lot can change when your little one starts to become mobile, starts to talk, and/or starts to show their personality.
I wanted to pass on some tried and true parenting hacks that will hopefully help ease some of the difficulties that can come with this transition from baby to toddler. I can personally attest to the helpfulness of each of these tips – I have tried them all with at least one of my three children!
Band-Aids
My littlest one LOVES band aids, but hates taking them off. She will often use them like stickers and will decorate herself with all sorts of random band aids. All is fun and games until it’s time to remove them. Try rubbing a layer of Vaseline over top of the band aid and letting it sit for a minute or two. The Vaseline will help soften the adhesive in the band aid and makes peeling it off skin a breeze. No more tears!
Stickers
Does your child like to play with stickers? Mine did and sometimes it was very frustrating for small fingers to peel back a sticker from the page. Try removing the outer boarder part of the sticker page so all that’s left is the actual stickers. This will allow your child to work on their fine motor skills without making it exceptionally difficult to get the sticker off the page.
On The Go Potty Training
Invest in a travel potty. You can find these at most grocery and/or baby stores. Throw it in your car, along with a handful of plastic bags, and you will be prepared should your child say “I’ve got to go potty, now” while you’re in the middle of a drive. Simply pull over to a safe area, double the bags, put them over the seat, let your child do their business, then dispose of the bag at the nearest trash can. Easy peasy!
Some of these potties will come with a few disposable bags, but the replacement bags can be expensive. I like to use the plastic bags from the grocery store, and they work really well. Just make sure to double bag them in case one bag has a hole (I learned that lesson the hard way).
Bath Time
Bath time can be so much fun, but sometimes you need to change things up a bit. Try dumping a bag of cranberries into the bath and give your child a spoon and cup. Let the fun begin! The cranberries will float and are big enough for a young child to manipulate with their hands. You can use the cranberries for 2-3 bath times as long as you dry them out (watch out for fruit flies). If you decide to try this, make sure to watch your child in the bath the entire time in case your little one decides to pop one of these little guys in their mouths as these can be a choking hazard.
Mealtime
Sometimes you want to mix it up a bit. Try making a tasting board for your little one! Grab an ice cube tray or cupcake tin and fill each section with a different healthy food that they eat with their fingers. You could also use a craft organizer that has a lid and do the same thing for snacking on the go. Instead of dealing with lots of bags in the car or while out and about, this option can provide options they can feed themselves.
Some good options are peas, cheese, sweetcorn, cut up fruit, cut up meatballs, and goldfish. Of course, toddlers must always be supervised by an adult when they are eating to avoid choking accidents and should not eat while riding in a car.
Stain Remover
I think having a child color on the walls or furniture is a rite of passage for every parent. When you find yourself staring at a nice work of art on your wall, don’t panic. If you don’t have a magic eraser handy, try using toothpaste! Dab some on the stained surface, scrub with a washcloth, and voila – the stain should disappear. Make sure to use a toothpaste that is white, so you don’t accidentally leave a new stain on the surface.
Too Much Toilet Paper
Place a piece of colorful paper on the wall underneath your toilet paper holder. This simple marker will help children know how much toilet paper to use so hopefully you won’t end up with a clogged toilet or a long stream of paper all over the floor!
No Slip PJs
Footed pajamas and slippers are super useful and convenient, but they can be slippery on wood or tile floors. Try using puffy paint or a hot glue gun on the bottom to create tread. You can make dots, a design, or write their name with the paint/glue!
These are just a few helpful tricks I have used, and as always, reach out to a Family Support Navigator with any questions or concerns at navigation@familyfutures.org or contact us on our website. We would love to help you discuss some tips and tricks that work for you and your family!
