Genius Hacks For Parents

1 Is your child afraid of monsters? If so, then you need Monster Spray!!

Is your child afraid of monsters? If so, then you need Monster Spray!!: Spray away all those monsters under the bed and in the closet with monster spray! (via Happy Go Lucky)

2 Putting a hook on the back of your highchair for bibs

Putting a hook on the back of your highchair for bibs: MOMS TAKE NOTE i don’t remember where i saw this idea or who mentioned it before but putting a hook on the back of your highchair for bibs is BRILLIANT! since i’m a commitment phobe i used one of… (via definitely jennifer)

3 Teaching a Child To Hold a Pencil using a Kleenex

Teaching a Child To Hold a Pencil using a Kleenex: I cannot take an ounce of credit for today’s little tip–my son’s preschool teacher taught it to me years ago. It’s such a good one, I couldn’t keep it to myself. You probably know how hard it can be to communicate to a child exactly how a pencil should sit… (via Rocks In My Dryer)

4 Padlock the plug

Padlock the plug (via Juggaar – Hack your life)

5 Easy and Fun Woven Wrap Hammock

Easy and Fun Woven Wrap Hammock: Ive heard of people making hammocks or swings with their woven wraps in the baby wearing communities online, but there doesn’t seem to be much authority about how to do it the right way. I cant find a tutorial for how to make a swing, but I’m planning on trying something out and posting if it… read the rest… (via Joyful Abode)

6 Easy to make fan fort

Easy to make fan fort: Want to make a fun and exciting fort? Read below to find out how. Get a big plug-in fan. The little kind you put on desks isn’t gonna work. Next, you need to find a fitted sheet – the kind with the elastic on it that you have to tuck under… (via wikiHow)

7 Make shoe shopping easy, trace their feet

Make shoe shopping easy, trace their feet (via A Beautiful Ruckus)

8 Cough Remedy

Cough Remedy (via A Day In My Life)

9 Add glitter to make a tooth fairy money

Add glitter to make a tooth fairy money: I first was introduced to Marigold and her awesome blog, Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky! earlier this year when she was a guest at Celebrate the Boy. I immediately loved what she had made! Cutest little tote bag ever! Tutorial found here. Naturally, I invited Marigold to visit us here at The Southern Institute, and she graciously (via The Southern Institute)

10 Maxi pad as disposable diaper “extender”

Maxi pad as disposable diaper “extender”: Brilliant. From Shauna: My son wakes up soaked – jammies, sheets and all – EVERY morning. We’ve tried all sorts (via Parent Hacks)

11 You Shall Not Pass Toilet Paper Sign!

You Shall Not Pass Toilet Paper Sign! (via The Virtuous Wife)

12 A rubber band will help kids grip pencils better

A rubber band will help kids grip pencils better (via The Lower Elementary Cottage)

13 Helichrysum – Most important essential oil to have if you have kids

Helichrysum – Most important essential oil to have if you have kids: So, my son is a rambunctious, normal 5 year old, but I am telling you, he is forever coming home from school with cuts and bruises and everything in between. He plays hard. Hes a boy.And while I can blame his cuts and bruises on just being a boy, if I am honest, my daughter{Read on…} (via Sarah Titus)

14 Magnet Cups for the Fridge

Magnet Cups for the Fridge (via Adventures in Pinteresting)

15 Homemade Baby Puffs

Homemade Baby Puffs (via mommy-opinion)

16 Kids Picnic Table Makeover

Kids Picnic Table Makeover (via Caroline’s Crafty Corner)

17 Perfect Picnic Food and Capri Sun

Perfect Picnic Food and Capri Sun: As our schedules get busier with the school year in motion, we try to make the most of weekend time and plan special outings with the girls. I love the idea of picnics, but sometimes I get overwhelmed by the preparation. Recently, we planned a picnic at a nearby park and I was able to…Read More (via Gril. Inspired.)

18 Homemade water balloon pump

Homemade water balloon pump: Household re-purpose: water balloon pump. Use a common item to make filling water balloons easy! Even for kids! DIY water balloon pump. (via Find It Make It Love It)

19 Kid Safety Temporary Tattoo

Kid Safety Temporary Tattoo: A DIY Kid Safety Temporary Tattoo. Perfect for when you’re in large crowded areas. (via The Paper Mama)

20 Penny as Tap Shoes

Penny as Tap Shoes: A clever way to repurpose an everyday item. (via Real Simple)

21 Sparkler Shield

Sparkler Shield (via I Love 2 Dream, Do You?)

22 How and Why to Clean Bath Toys

How and Why to Clean Bath Toys (via We Love Being Moms)

23 Mess free sidewalk chalk

Mess free sidewalk chalk: mess free, sidewalk, chalks, recipe, deodorant containers, liquid watercolor, outdoor activities (via De Tout Et De Rien)

24 An Easy Way For Kids To Eat Fast Food In The Car

An Easy Way For Kids To Eat Fast Food In The Car (via Lookie What I Did)

25 Crib Railing Teething Guard

Crib Railing Teething Guard: This is how I quickly fashioned a little make-shift teething guard. It sure isn’t perfect, but I think it’s a somewhat clever (or at least frugal) solution to a common problem. The pictures don’t quite illustrate each of the steps individually, but it’s easy enough! (via Jane Marie Photography)

26 A crib sheet provides shade and protection from bugs

A crib sheet provides shade and protection from bugs: I love our weekends. Not because theyre particularly exciting, but because I love our time together as a family! We usually do a lot of stuff around the house: cooking, cleaning, Pinterest projects, etc. This weekend was no different. We wanted to go the the Farmers Market on Saturday, but we got rained out (surprise (via Little Baby Watson)

27 Kids Card Holder

Kids Card Holder (via In Light of the Truth)

28 Use a glue gun to prevent shoes from slipping

Use a glue gun to prevent shoes from slipping (via Central Coast Teaching Tots)

29 The Dot-Method for identifying clothes

The Dot-Method for identifying clothes (via Langan Land)

30 Phonics Flip Book

Phonics Flip Book: Creating this simple word families flip chart makes learning blends an independent activity for kids! (via Kids Activities Blog)

31 Avoid the mess, with un-meltable popsicles

Avoid the mess, with un-meltable popsicles (via The Paisley Cupcake)

32 A thrift store camera bag is the best diaper bag

A thrift store camera bag is the best diaper bag (via My So-Called Home)

33 Sitting on a stability ball while doing homework can improve child’s concentration

34 Frozen Breast milk On A StickSitting on a stability ball while doing homework can improve child’s concentration: With 2013’s New Year’s resolutions newly minted(and some as yet unbroken, even), it’s a good time to turn our attention to physical fitness. And don’t worry—no guilt trips or discount gym membership pitches! This discussion is about balance balls (for kids). At The New Century School, elementary students (currently including grades 13) have the option (via Immersed)

Frozen Breast milk On A Stick (via Mother-2-Mother.com)

35 Installing a Baby Gate Without Drilling

Installing a Baby Gate Without Drilling (via Beauty in the Ordinary)

36 Empty DVD cases makes great travel art kit

Empty DVD cases makes great travel art kit: **Update: See an update on the DVD coloring case here!**So I still haven’t gotten around to recycling of all of these empty DVD cases. Now I am trying to think of how to reuse them. Hmmmm… {wheels turning} …. and this is what I came up with……. a coloring case! It’s kind of an updated version of a crayon roll complete with paper storage. Now this is not just for kids! I would keep one in my purse so when inspiration strikes I can take it out and sketch and write down ideas!!Using color too! Want to use your DVD cases too? Here’s how to make one….{gather your supplies}empty DVD case {now, every DVD case is slightly different so you may need to make adjustments depending on the style of case you have}thin cardboard (via Stacy Vaughn)

37 Shoe Bag Organizer

Shoe Bag Organizer: A canvas shoe bag is just right for keeping toys tidy and easy to reach in the car. This 16-pocket organizer was cut in half and hemmed at the bottom. A ribbon loop at the top is hung over the back of a front seat. Long ribbons stitched to the bottom corners reach around the seat back and tie in front. The pockets can hold cassette players and headphones, playing cards, coloring books and pens, a flashlight, and a few favorite friends. (via Martha Stewart)

39 Creative pacifier storage
38 Place a sticker that is cut in half in their shoes. This way they can put their shoes on the correct foot by themselves