Summer Parenting Hacks

Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors and staying busy while making memories with your kiddos. Easy, right? With busy schedules and kids full of energy, things can get a little hectic. To help keep the fun rolling without the stress, try a few of these simple parenting hacks to keep your summer days running smoothly.

Snacks that keep well in the car during the summer heat.

Keep a stash of heat-proof, low-mess snacks ready for road trips or park outings: trail mix, pretzels, popcorn, crackers, dried fruit, pumpkin seeds, and lollipops are just a few to start your snack bag.

Keep a packed swim bag in your car at all times.

You never know when you might need a last-minute trip to the pool! Keeping a packed swim bag with a towel, swimsuit, goggles, and sunscreen always saves an extra trip home.

Keep a blanket in your car.

Perfect for impromptu picnics, summer concerts, or outdoor movie nights.

Give kids small responsibilities.

Packing the pool bag, watering plants, choosing the weekly outing, and picking the healthy snack are just a few options. This builds independence and takes some pressure off parents!

Morning outside rule.

Summer mornings are cooler and kids typically have more energy when they first wake up! Plan outdoor play, errands, or park visits before lunch, leaving afternoons for indoor play, quiet time, or reading.

Water painting.

Give your kids paint brushes and a bucket of water. They can “paint” the house, fence, or sidewalk without creating a mess.

Keep popsicles frozen on-the-go.

Place your popsicles in a stainless steel water bottle with ice. They stay frozen all day as you travel from place to place, until you can enjoy that sweet treat!

Mess-free popsicles.

Tired of sticky hands and car messes from melting popsicles? Here’s a simple fix: use baking or muffin cups! Just poke the popsicle stick through the base of a paper muffin cup. It instantly becomes a drip catcher, stopping melting bits from making a mess and keeping hands clean!

Gum in the hair?

Oily products are your best friend. Rub a small amount of peanut butter, coconut oil, or even mayonnaise on the sticky area. Gently work the gum or candy loose with your fingers. Wash the hair afterward to remove the oil. This will hopefully prevent having to get scissors involved!

Potty training hacks.

Potty training can be stressful for kiddos and parents. Try out some of these hacks to make potty time less stressful:
• Sit your child backwards and give them dry erase markers to draw on the lid. This keeps them entertained while sitting!
• Move the little potty around! Take it to the living room while you play their favorite show.
• Stick to a regularly timed schedule. Try when they wake up, before and after meals, and before they go to bed.
• Read fun potty-training books together to get them excited!
• Reward successes and attempts with a small treat!

Reminder! Parenting is a labor of love. You are doing a great job. Now—let’s make it a great summer.