When I was 27 years old, I welcomed twins into my family. At that time, my eldest was almost 4, and my middle child was just 19 months. Fast forward to today, and my twins are now 11, my middle child is 12, and my eldest is 14. Emerging from what I affectionately call the “New Parent Haze”—which took a full decade—I’ve come to recognize that some of my proudest parenting hacks were a bit unusual. Every mother adapts their own unique approach to raising kids, often normalizing what others might find quirky. Here’s a glimpse into some of my unconventional yet effective parenting strategies:
- Pre-Chewing Meals for My Kids
When managing a baby (or two) while another child complained about their food being too tough, I took on the role of a pre-chewer. Thankfully, my kids don’t recall those moments when I would retrieve softened food from my mouth, like a bird feeding its young. - Using the Bathtub for Dental Care
With a small bathroom servicing four children and myself, I devised a system where my kids would line up along the bathtub to brush their teeth together. This eliminated the need for step stools and kept my youngest from tumbling down the stairs while I was preoccupied. - Bulk Buying Socks
Had I stepped out of the New Parent Haze sooner, I’d have realized that my 10-year-olds deserved their own unique socks. Instead, I kept a tub of one-size-fits-all socks by the door, ensuring that even if a few went missing, there were always enough left. This helped avoid the endless matching sock battle. - Creating Vaccine Songs
No child relishes receiving shots, but once they grasped the consequences of diseases like polio, they became more cooperative. I made up catchy tunes like “Polio! No, no Polio! A shot hurts less than polio, oh, oh!” which helped them remember the importance of their vaccinations. - Establishing an Upset Stomach Protocol
I’ve refined my Upset Stomach Protocol (USP) over the years. As soon as my children were capable of handling a bucket, they learned to vomit into it, dispose of the contents in the toilet, and rinse it. The latest version includes training them to be “enforcers” of the protocol, which was crucial during norovirus outbreaks. - Forgoing Baby Clothing
After receiving countless matching outfits for my twins, I found myself overwhelmed by the snaps and zippers. To simplify things, I decided to forgo dressing my infants in clothing altogether. No more fussing with outfits for babies who couldn’t voice their opinions—problem solved! - Ditching the Television
In an effort to promote productivity and creativity, I originally opted to live without a TV. However, when we finally acquired one, my son mistook a fast-food commercial for a movie. In hindsight, having a television would have been a helpful distraction when managing my energetic toddlers. - Setting a Strict 7 p.m. Bedtime
I am a staunch advocate of early bedtimes, but my children never seemed to outgrow it—nor did I. When my 12-year-old mentioned that her friends stayed up until 9 p.m., I adjusted our bedtime to 8:30. Sleep hygiene is critical, but I now realize there could have been other family bonding activities we could have shared during those evenings. - Suburban Homesteading
To save time on grocery trips, I found it easier to cultivate my own garden and make yogurt at home. I purchased flour in bulk and baked all our bread and pasta. I even embraced a powerlifting routine to manage carrying multiple kids while grocery shopping.
Today, I’m writing this from my workplace, having taken the time to shower and apply makeup. I am now happily remarried with a larger family of six children aged 9, 11, 11, 11, 12, and 14. I expect that in five years, I’ll reflect on the new parenting hacks I’ll have developed for this stage.
While some of these strategies may sound eccentric, if they simplify your parenting journey, they are undeniably worth it. For additional insights on home insemination and family planning, you can explore this excellent resource from Healthline or check out Make a Mom’s Baby Maker for helpful products.
Summary:
Navigating the parenting journey can be challenging, yet employing unique strategies can make it easier. From pre-chewing food to creating catchy vaccine songs, these parenting hacks have proven effective in managing a busy household. With a touch of creativity and adaptability, any parent can find their own ways to thrive.
Keyphrase: Parenting Hacks for Busy Families
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