https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 04:39:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2799660 Thu, 25 Jan 2018 11:15:29 +0000 looch 2799660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: I think I am going to do something similar for my son, he loves to send mail and is often asking me for envelopes. I might take him to a discount department store or Michaels and see if he wants to select some items to make his own box of sorts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798974 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 19:25:59 +0000 808love 2798974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve been doing a lot of things listed as my DD just turned 7. But here is one for the future generation growing up! I have cutesy envelopes, fancy pen, stickers and small sized stationery in a box on her desk. I wrote a sample thank you letter on the same stationery and taped it on the inside cover of box. It has blank lines for where she is supposed to personalize. She has a separate list of people and gifts given. I add on to list anytime she gets a new gift. She has to write one thank you letter a day and then check it off. I will keep the list as a keepsake. When LO was younger, I used to just text cute photos with thanks. Then one year I wrote verbatim what she said when she opened her present. Now it is her turn!</p> <p>[attach=1524/18/p2zfyw.450x600.2649B60D-BB3A-4196-9B29-FEFCAA1771FE.jpeg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798963 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 18:36:09 +0000 looch 2798963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Oh that's smart to keep a bin in the room to put outgrown clothes in...stealing that one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798940 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:55:02 +0000 SweetiePie 2798940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: If your 3yo likes ladybugs and is in a “I want to help” phase, this would be a great gift!<br /> I had ours for over a year and the only reason the first one broke is that just last week my son dropped it HARD on our hardwood floor. It had been dropped previously and been fine, but this one was particularly rough. The switch to turn it on and off popped off. Otherwise it was fine.<br /> But for $10 every year or two...not bad and it’s totally been worth it.<br /> ETA: they also have it at BBB and have even more animals/bugs there. I think a bumble bee for sure...can’t remember what else. But could also use a coupon and get it for like $8. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798939 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:51:30 +0000 Mommy Finger 2798939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not the best hacks but I keep a laundry basket in each kid's closet for clothes they have grown out of. </p> <p>If we are going out of town for the weekend, I pack in laundry baskets instead of bags. So much easier to throw stuff in there as needed vs trying to fit it in a bag that might not zip and will fall over and spill out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798937 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:43:41 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: That ladybug is amazing! How bad would it be if that was part of my 3 year olds birthday gift?? How long have you had it? Wondering what the life is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798929 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:20:04 +0000 ShootingStar 2798929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: That's what our dog is for ;). I hate when we're traveling and I realize I have to pick up the crumbs or cheerios myself, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798928 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:19:18 +0000 ShootingStar 2798928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I buy socks all in one color. I HATE trying to find matches when every pair is a different color. So I buy a few packs of single color socks. DS has gray and DD has white.</p> <p>Every time we size up DS's undies we buy a different pattern. That way we can easily identify if they're his current ones or ones that need to be retired.</p> <p>I keep a tall garbage can in the kids' rooms for outgrown clothes. When I put away their laundry I toss clothes that are too small into the garbage can. When it gets full I pull the bag out and replace it and the full bag goes with giveaway stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798918 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:56:50 +0000 SweetiePie 2798918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, this. Mini vacuum. I keep one by our kitchen table and one in the car. It’s palm sized and my 3yo loves it. After a snack or meal he quickly has the lady bug or turtle “eat” the crumbs from the table and chair (and sometimes the floor). Or the car seat. 1) it’s so small and compact and works surprisingly well and 2) my toddler does it and loves it so now I don’t have to. </p> <p>Cute Portable Beetle Ladybug cartoon Mini Desktop Vacuum Desk Dust Cleaner (Red#002) <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R4IQQ5O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_N-KzAbS4J75D3" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R4IQQ5O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_N-KzAbS4J75D3</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798908 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:28:57 +0000 SweetiePie 2798908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn’t read everyone’s yet so apologies if I repeat!<br /> Socks are washed and dried in a mesh lingerie bag so that they all stay together and when I go to fold laundry I don’t hve to sort through. </p> <p>Starbucks has a little lunchbox that is PERFECT for toddlers. Whole grain pbj, carrots, apples, cheese stick and a few chocolate covered raisins. Also milk and apple juice boxes. Any time we are out and about I know I can pop in there for a quick lunch if we have to. It makes outings so much less stressful to not bring food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798898 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:04:09 +0000 jhd 2798898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RonjaL7: that heating pad trick is genius! Keeping that in mind for future!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798892 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 14:52:30 +0000 codeitall 2798892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your kid hates getting his clothes changed or doesn't like the feel of pajamas, just stick them in tomorrow's clothes overnight! Someone suggested that here as a way to speed up the morning routine and it has been amazing for my toddler.</p> <p>Colorful plastic cutting boards to do puzzles on! This was an accidental find, but DS insists on doing puzzles on the floor and of course they don't snap together well on carpet :silly: He stole my new cutting boards from Christmas one day and never gave them back haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798869 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:53:52 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2798869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two.</p> <p>1. I put all baby socks in a lingerie bags. Clean in one bag and dirty in another. I can wash them and then throw them back in the clean bag. Just pull out two matching socks.</p> <p>2. We provide both breakfast and lunch. I got three of those plastic boxes that provide a large section for a sandwich on bottom with a removable tray on top meant for chips and fruit, etc. I put breakfast on top and lunch on the bottom. I just split up messy items in silicone cupcake liners. Nothing touches anything else and everything gets eaten. I just tell daycare that top is for breakfast and bottom is for lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798845 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:13:43 +0000 wrkbrk 2798845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RonjaL7: I dont even have a newborn, but I am going to tell everyone I know who is pregnant about this! Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798844 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:12:42 +0000 RonjaL7 2798844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798835 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:45:18 +0000 wrkbrk 2798835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I am taking two of yours!! Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798833 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:45:04 +0000 wrkbrk 2798833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@RonjaL7: THAT is genius. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798781 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:15:53 +0000 Shantuck 2798781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We hated making LO's pb&amp;j sandwiches every night for his school lunches so I discovered a way to make them and freeze them so that they don't get soggy with the jelly. Essentially, you spread a very thin layer of peanut butter (or sunbutter or whatever you use) on the jelly side before the jelly (and then on the other side in the normal quantity). This forms a barrier so the jelly doesn't make the bread soggy as it thaws. We make 2-3 weeks worth of sandwiches (my son asks for them every day!) and just toss one in to his lunch bag each day. This isn't earthshattering but it saves us a lot of time during the busy work week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798765 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:48:26 +0000 RonjaL7 2798765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is from the newborn days... when you baby gets up for a feeding in the middle of the night put one of those electric heating pads on low in the bassinet. When you have finished feeding/changing remove it before laying them back down. The warmth of the sheets is more similar to the warmth of your body and they tend to fall back asleep better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798761 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:27:26 +0000 josina 2798761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not ingenius but for the non-dangerous kitchen cabinets we just use the big plastic serving spoons between the two doors to keep dd out. It's free since we already have them, temporary, and easy to install. ;)</p> <p>ETA. Receiving blankets make the best burp rags, and as baby is older, booger rags. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798728 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 08:22:04 +0000 looch 2798728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I don't, but I can take one and post it later. </p> <p>@gingerbebe: I do the hanging canvas organizer thing as well. I put a week's worth of clothes in there and in the morning, my son can go in there and get dressed himself. It's easy because it's a dress code, so there's not much he can mess up, but it keeps the drawers from being completely turned upside down. </p> <p>@dahlia: I do the same! I buy a gender neutral, non character game, and that's the gift of the year. This year, it's UNO Extreme. </p> <p>So many other good tips, let's keep brainstorming! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798705 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 23:59:02 +0000 Dahlia 2798705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Yes, ziplocks for everything! I also use those free with purchase cosmetic bags when I want something more durable. </p> <p>I buy a bunch of the same book/small toy each year and use them for all the birthday parties. </p> <p>I make sure every new mom knows you can store pump parts in the fridge during the day and only wash at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798701 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:46:17 +0000 gingerbebe 2798701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use hanging canvas clothes storage things in each kids closet to load them with PJs and a school outfit once a week. I keep a small hamper of socks in the car that I refill on Sunday night and we keep shoes in the car so we aren’t hunting for those every morning. </p> <p>We keep a cheap IKEA potty in the trunk and I have a large wet bag with a padded potty ring, pull ups, wipes, and undies as a go bag for public potty needs. </p> <p>I keep a sleeve or two of rice cakes in the van as a quick dry snack that’s relatively clean and a 6-pack of small bottled water with sports caps for hanger emergencies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798693 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 21:47:55 +0000 DesertDreams88 2798693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use gallon-size plastic bags for organizing supplies for day trips or weekend trips. Bag for snacks, bag for a change of clothes, bag for books and toys, bag for diapers/wipes. Using a plastic bag means that it is clear so I can easily see all the supplies. Then I put the Ziplock bags all in a cloth grocery bag or a backpack, or luggage if it's a weekend trip.</p> <p>I have a craft supply box / fishing tackle box filled with all of our travel-size toiletries and travel-size meds, so whenever we go away on a trip I just grab the box.</p> <p>Besides bedtime reading, we also do reading when he first wakes up because he's very calm then, and he always gets books in the car. These aren't really hacks, just ways to get more reading in.</p> <p>We bought a cardboard banker's box / paper organizer to store all of his puzzles, because a lot of his puzzles don't fit in the standard puzzle racks and it was getting annoying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798690 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 21:00:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 2798690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: amazon prime is The. Best. But yeah, neither of my kids were big spitter uppers or blow out-era, but I remembered that trick from then and it’s so nice in the middle of the night. </p> <p>@Eko: I just found out that peanut butter kids work on mason jars too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798689 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:57:21 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another tip I find useful: I buy those white lingerie bags on Amazon. They have packs for cheap with varying sizes. We keep all sorts of things in them: Magnatiles, the Leapfrog toy that has all the letters of the alphabet, etc. I love that it keeps all the small parts together but I don't have the wasted space of a plastic bin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798688 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:55:33 +0000 Eko 2798688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only hack I live by is that Cains mayonnaise lids fit on medium mason jars. I use mason jars for everything and am constantly losing part of the lids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798687 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:55:13 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: great layering tip! I did this for blowouts and major spit up when DD was an infant and need to employ it again soon when we ditch pullups at night! Thanks for the reminder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798686 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:52:57 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: ack! Thanks for reminding me! I was cleaning out our spare bedroom and threw that sucker in the bathtub. Well, DH took it out to shower and there it sits. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow?! You rock! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-best-mom-hack#post-2798685 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:51:46 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing too snazzy, but a few things that do help me out!<br /> -We use a regular backpack for daycare. It hangs nicely on her hook, holds all her winter gear, lunchbox and nap linens. Best of all, it keeps me hands free.<br /> -Amazon Prime<br /> -We buy multiples of everyday items. This means scouting out sales or spending a little more cash, but it makes our lives so much easier, especially our mornings. Travel coffee mugs, mittens, bento boxes, socks, etc. we have them in excess.<br /> -OH! Probably my best true hack is this: Red tool box filled with children's Motrin, Benedryl, Zyrtec, Zarbees, ear drops, eye drops, thermometer and more. If we go anywhere overnight, it goes with us. It's great even at home in the middle of the night.<br /> -There's a bin between the captains chairs in our car: roll of paper towel, Clorox wipes, bag of non-latex gloves, plastic garbage bags, jumper cables, first aid kit and emergency winter gear. </p>