Raising children can be a challenging endeavor that demands patience, resilience, and a clever approach from parents. It often feels as though kids are deliberately testing their parents with various situations and antics. As a result, experienced parents tend to have a collection of ingenious life hacks to manage these challenges.
At Tinytotsblog, we’ve explored countless sources and compiled the most effective and creative parenting hacks that seasoned parents use to navigate the ups and downs of parenting.
When my younger brother refused to nap during the day, I would help my mom by lying on the bed with him and pretending to sleep, while I actually read a book. My brother would see my stillness and eventually fall asleep, which made everyone happy.
I’ve also found a useful trick for dealing with older kids that helps avoid arguments: the “silent gaze.” For example, when I call the kids to the table for a meal and they don’t come right away because they’re distracted by their phones, I used to call them repeatedly or raise my voice, which often spoiled the mealtime. Now, I simply call them once, and if they don’t respond, I wait a few minutes and then stand near them and silently watch. This usually encourages them to come to the table without further fuss.
“How to keep your babies feet warm while walking”
My younger daughter wasn’t fond of taking naps during the day, so I came up with a fun idea: we pretend to “daydream” together. She now enjoys this routine and is more willing to nap.
I always keep a pack of balloons in my bag. They’re compact and can quickly transform any situation into a fun event. Instead of letting kids argue over toys, you can blow up a bunch of balloons and instantly create a festive atmosphere.
To encourage my 8-year-old daughter to try new foods, I use a method that started when she was 4. I would tell her that a certain food, like my tomato soup, was really special and that she probably wouldn’t like it. Her curiosity would get the better of her, and she’d insist on trying it. She ended up enjoying the soup and asking for more. After a few experiences like this, she learned to be more open-minded about trying new foods.
My wife came up with a great idea for making tooth brushing fun: we use a timer set for 2 minutes. Our 3-year-old gets really excited when she hears the timer start and brushes her teeth enthusiastically for the entire time. When the timer goes off, she cheers, “I won!”
For my 9-year-old who is reluctant to try certain foods, I find a recipe that includes that food and have her help make it. For example, when she refused to eat eggplant, I found a moussaka recipe and let her prepare most of the dish herself. At dinner, she proudly talks about how she made the meal and how delicious it is, which encourages her to eat the eggplant.
“I have a crawling baby. This is my mom hack to help the older kids remember to replace the outlet covers.” 
If your child is afraid of the dark, try using a spray bottle filled with water labeled “monster spray” and let them use it to spray under the bed or in the closet. This can help alleviate their fears in a fun and reassuring way.
To get your child excited about cooking, find a special spoon or utensil that is just for them. Make a big deal about their exclusive use of the spoon, which can make the cooking experience more engaging and enjoyable for them.
When it comes to creative play, I give my son sidewalk chalk and let him draw on the floors and walls of the house. After he’s finished, I vacuum up most of it and use baby wipes to clean any remaining marks.
My daughter enjoys using the sprayer, so I involve her in scrubbing the floors with me. It turns cleaning into a fun activity and helps get the job done effectively.
When my kids want something, I sometimes use their imagination to my advantage. For example, I might pretend to give them a Band-Aid, offering different imaginary patterns or colors. Their creativity makes this a fun and engaging game.
If my 10- and 12-year-olds start acting up, like running around and wrestling in places like the grocery store, I start singing loudly and embarrassingly. They know that the only way I’ll stop is if they calm down and behave, and this approach usually works.
I’ve found a handy solution for keeping track of the TV remote: I use superglue to attach it to a stuffed animal. I use Gorilla Super Glue, and since starting this trick over 7 years ago, I haven’t lost a remote, even with three kids around. Plus, it’s pretty cute to see a giraffe or owl holding the remote!
My mom once bought a noisy toy vacuum for my kids that only pretended to clean and was more of a nuisance. I replaced it with a small, inexpensive real vacuum, and now my 4-year-old uses it every day. He loves it so much that we’ve turned it into a motivation tool: he knows he can use the vacuum once his toys are picked up, and it’s made a big difference in getting him to clean up!
To motivate your kids to help with chores, try asking them, “Would you rather help with the laundry or take a nap?” It’s surprisingly effective!
I was frustrated with constantly reminding my sons to make their beds before school. So, I decided to try a visual reminder. I changed the laptop background in the kitchen to display a message in yellow letters on a black background: “Didn’t make your bed? 1 day without the PC.”
In the morning, I noticed that the older son didn’t react at all, perhaps because he didn’t pay attention. However, when the younger son saw the message, he giggled, went to his mom for clarification, and then made his bed. Seeing his little brother’s reaction, the older one also made his bed.
For some peace and quiet, tell your child you’re going to clean their room and ask them to help. This often buys you a couple of hours of calm. (Note: This may also work with spouses.)
What parenting trick do you find most effective?
