Mumsnet users tell Disney Junior their best parenting hacks

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity is now closed

No matter your child’s age, if you have tips for encouraging them to help around the house, how to overcome fear of the doctor or dentist or knowing the little things to remember every time you step out with the family, Disney Junior UK wants to hear them.

Here’s what Disney Junior UK has to say: “A child is the greatest gift you can have but we know being a parent can be stressful at times. Our shows like Vampirina and PJ Masks, aim to spark little conversations around everyday problems that can sometimes be difficult for parents and children, and provide fun solutions for them. Disney Junior UK has now launched a new Parenting Hacks podcast with Helen Skelton to bring together parents, experts and special guests to explore tips, tricks and ways to provide more support to busy parents.”

Have you found the best ways to turn household chores into games? What’s your best trick to stop a supermarket tantrum? Do you have a life-changing laundry hack that has been passed down through generations? Perhaps you have tips that will help other busy parents at meal times? Or what about the little tricks that you’ve learnt to encourage your child to use their imagination?

Whatever your best parenting hacks are, share them on the thread below. Everyone who comments will be entered into a prize draw, and one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[Ratbagratty]

I talk to them and try to answer any questions truthfully but simply. I sit and play with them when I can but also allow them to play on their own to encourage imagination. Making up songs to everything helps too.

[lovewatchingrainfall]

Programmes like Doc mcstuffins really helped my eldest with the fear of the doctor's, she has to go alot and this helped. Also being honest with her is good.
The dentist is one she hates so waiting for a good answer with this.

Also peeling the back bit of the stickers (so the big white bit) means toddlers can get the sticker easier

[BristolMum96]

Get them to understand that unfortunately some things are not nice but non optional in life

[militarymom]

To remind my children that they're braver than they believe, stronger than they seem and smarter than they think.

Everything else will fall into place. Teach your children to love others and be affectionate.

[Almostthere15]

To help get shoes on the right feet I cut a sticker and place it in the shoes. Then dc remake the picture before stepping in.

In relation to mealtimes everyone has to try whats on their plate, they are allowed not to like it but a try is three good goes (spoon or forkfull). Generally new foods get put with an existing favourite or as a sharing platter. It seems to take the pressure off

[malisa]

My children from an early age would come to us - parents and talk about their problems, worries or simply ask for an advice. We teach them to be truthful and affectionate.The programme like Vampirina help them to deal with own problems, make them stronger and give them an advice how to behave in certain situation. Both, like going to dentist because of a lovely stickers rewards. I am trying to involve my children in all aspects of daily life. Sometimes a simple things, such as a tidy your own shoes or put toys away, it teaches them to take responsibility for own action.

[DaisyDando]

At the end of a play date, I get the kids to wear capes and be tidying-up superheroes. I award loads of stickers for good tidying and try to con them into it being a game.
Probs won’t work when they’re 15.

[anitagreen]

We play the tidy up game which is just before bed and who ever picks up the most and puts it back gets a bigger star on their chart and to choose what film to watch in bed, not only does it help me wind down knowing it's all done, it sends them to bed feeling like they've helped me which they have

[sharond101]

To do their best and be kind everything else is a bonus. I repeat this regularly and it helps. Santa is watching is good at this time of year.

[Caillou]

I give them each an age appropriate tasks,

[treegone]

With my little ones there's a lot of grabbing and taking of toys and then lots of crying and screaming and chasing. I taught my 3 year old a little trick to get what she wants from her baby brother and that's to give him something else first. Then he'll drop what he has and she can take it. It's got to be good though or it won't work! She sometimes remembers and when she does I make her out to be really clever and give her a little sideways look letting her know she's been really grown up.
I'm sure there are many things we all do to get through our days. Whether you can call them hacks is debatable. Nothing is a fix-all, blanket solution in parenting unfortunately.

[duck22]

Tell them and reward them for when they are good

[del2929]

im still trying to find one haha, liking the comments so far

[Mewithane]

Som simple reverse psychology. "No way can you pick up more toys than me!!", "Mummy is so good at putting books on the shelf, you'll never beat me!!" Then watch in delight as the children race to beat Mummy whilst doing minimal amounts.

[Mewithane]

Some - not som!

[Treaclespongeandcustard]

I use distraction to subvert tantrums ‘oh my gosh, there’s a reindeer over there’. I try to let them make decisions and support them in doing little jobs (setting the table or putting dishes away). Mostly I try to encourage them to be kind.

[MummyofTw0]

We sing songs when doing un-fun things:

We have the :
tidy up song
The shake shake shake your hands song (when drying her hands)
And the brush your teeth song

Seems to work as it makes mundane tasks fun

[Daisymaybe60]

Be patient, be fair, demonstrate the behaviour you want to encourage. And when all else fails, remember that this too will pass!

[m0jit0]

Watching with interest, will need to try some of these!
Think a lot of the time for my dc distraction seems to work in averting tantrums/ getting then to eat/sit still etc, long may it continue.

[whoami24601]

treegone I taught DD that trick, and she was really good at it. Unfortunately she still tries it now he's 3.5, and then they fall out!

[FunkyBrownie]

When my DS tells me a fear, we try and explore it to take away whatever element is scaring him. The best question to ask is ‘what would help you?’ and he usually has an idea in his head already.

He loves going to the dentist and the doctor - he’s desperate for his teeth to fall out so that the tooth fairy will come and visit so I’m using that to my advantage. He has to brush his teeth properly and take good care of them by visiting the dentist or she won’t be interested in collecting them 😉

[CousinKrispy]

Give her a thumbs up and say "good one!" every time she belches.

I'm not saying it's a good hack, just a hack.

[chilledteacher]

Give controlled choices to prevent battlefields ie if DS won't sit down to do his reading etc "would you like to sit on the sofa or the chair?" (Because actually I don't care where you sit, the outcome I want is reading to be done). DS thinks he's getting a choice and engages. Likewise on non electronic times - are you playing with Lego or football in the garden. Again a win for me because the PS4 is turned off.
Oh and take advantage of the second pair for free glasses offers-we have one pair at school permanently and the other at home.

[hiddenmichelle]

Rewards - usually of the screen variety! No tidying up or homework - no screen!

[Goingovertosusanshouse]

Offer choices and make them aware of the consequences. Always follow though on what you say. I say this but sometimes it’s so sodding hard!