Whether you're navigating the newborn minefield of nappies and nap-times, weathering the tempestuous terrible twos or juggling school runs with work commitments - nobody can deny that parenting is a demanding business.
As we could probably all use a little more time and a little less stress, we've compiled a list of some of the best parenting hacks around. From clever short-cuts and time-saving tricks to mess-minimising solutions (spoiler alert: explosive nappy changes just got easier) and instant boredom-busters - these helpful hacks are here to make your life just that little bit easier. And every little helps...
Parenting Hacks To Make Life Easier
Make Rugs Non-Slip With Velcro(01 of14)
Attach strips of Velcro to your floor and the underside of your rugs to prevent your little livewires from slipping on the rug when they’re hurtling around the house. (credit:Nick David via Getty Images)
Keep Tabs On Your Kids At Festivals(02 of14)
Invest in a pack of temporary ID tattoos with your mobile phone number on for festivals and crowded events. They're like the child equivalent of a cat collar - and the kids will love wearing them, too. (credit:www.tottoos.org)
Curb Night-Time Coughs With Vicks(03 of14)
Help stave off your baby’s night-time cough by rubbing her feet with Vicks Vaporub before bed and then covering them up with socks. There might not be a scientific explanation for this but Google ‘Vicks and socks’ to find hundreds of parents extolling its virtues on forums. (credit:KidStock via Getty Images)
Remove Crayon From Walls(04 of14)
Has your pint-sized Picasso decorated your walls with an original crayon mural? Don’t worry, gently scrubbing with an abrasive toothpaste will buff away the marks in no time. Mayonnaise is also said to get rid of the marks. We'd love to know how that one got discovered. (credit:KidStock via Getty Images)
Banish Bedtime Monsters(05 of14)
Create your own monster repellent by filling a clean, empty cleaning-spray bottle with water and making a monster-repellent label. This one from Evermine Occasions was made using Clipart. Spritz monster-prone areas like under the bed and inside the wardrobe to help your little ones sleep easy. (credit:evermine.com)
Safety-Proof Everything With Pool Noodles(06 of14)
Place one under the along the edge of your child's mattress, under the sheet, to prevent them from falling out of bed when they first transition from a cot or cut off a piece of noodle, cut in half lengthways and attach to the edge of your doors to prevent your children from trapping their fingers. (credit:Christopher Pollack via Getty Images)
Use A Pool As A Play Pen(07 of14)
Get use out of your inflatable paddling pool in winter by using it (minus the water) as an indoor play pen for babies – or fill it with plastic balls and use it as a ball pond for toddlers. (credit:Ana Schaeffer via Getty Images)
pillowbed2-together(08 of14)
A cheap, easy and super-comfy solution for sleepovers, your kids will love this DIY pillow bed hack. Simply stitch four pillowcases together and stuff with pillows. When it needs washing, just slip out the pillows and chuck it in the washing machine. (credit:dabblesandbabbles.com)
Pull Baby Vests DOWN When Changing(09 of14)
If you’ve ever tried to pull a vest over your baby’s head during an explosive nappy situation, you clearly haven’t heard the news: ENVELOPE NECK VESTS PULL DOWN! Yes, that’s right – your nappy-changing epiphany happened right here. (credit:Geri Lavrov via Getty Images)
Create A DIY Child-Sized Hammock(10 of14)
Tie a large wrap around your dining room table: instant baby hammock. Hello, sleep! Wraps also double up as baby-carriers as demonstrated by The Shopping Mama. (credit:theshoppingmama.com)
Soothe Pox With Porridge (And A Pop Sock!)(11 of14)
Ease the pain of chickenpox – and help stop little ones scratching them – with this DIY skin-soothing bath soak. Whizz up a batch of porridge oats in a blender until really fine, stuff them in a stocking, pop sock or tight leg and chuck it in the bath while the water's running. The water will turn milky, silky and ultra-soothing. (credit:deucee_ via Getty Images)
Avoid Juice Spills(12 of14)
Child + juice carton = accident waiting to happen. Prevent him accidentally squeezing while drinking (and ruining that clean top) by opening the triangular side flaps of the carton to use as handles. (credit:KidStock via Getty Images)
Paint In A Bag (Look No Mess)(13 of14)
Squeeze paint into a zip lock bag, seal and tape to the table and allow your little artists to get creative without the mess, using their fingers or a cotton bud. (credit:lets-explore.net)
When In Doubt.... Bubbles(14 of14)
A guaranteed boredom-buster, you can't go wrong with bubbles. Creating all manner of different shapes and sizes with household objects, like colanders, cookie-cutters, slotted spoons, tennis rackets. To make giant bubbles, use warm water, washing-up liquid and a few drops of vegetable oil. (credit:Ian Taylor via Getty Images)