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Original poster

What’s your skill/tip that you always feel smug about when it pays off?

269 replies

PepperPepperMan · 28/07/2021 21:01

Reading the comments on a FB page, included things like, taking boiled eggs with you on days out, taking a wet flannel out with you instead of baby wipes and hot dogs in a tea flask with rolls and sachets of ketchup.

I was always really disorganised on days out with DC Blush what did your mum/nanna do as a little survival tip that you carried forward?

OP posts:
Stichintime · 30/07/2021 23:48

Always wear 2 pairs of knickers.

NigelWithTheBrie79 · 31/07/2021 00:28

Always pack an extension lead with USB ports as well as travel adapters.

Thegreymethod · 31/07/2021 00:41

@ineedsun

I need to know what flasks you’re using for hotdogs!
You can use a metal water bottle (although you might want a designated hot dog one I can't imagine water ever tasting nice again!) Weirdly I heard this from a friend yesterday and she also uses a metal water bottle for ice lollies, the long thin type lollies, pop a few in there and they stay frozen apparently.
ChunkySloth · 31/07/2021 01:13

Cliplock tub with washing up liquid & sponge/brush, tea towels, cleaning cloths & spray, salt & pepper, ketchup, vinegar, (all sachets if possible), oil, teabags/coffee & hot choc sachets, uht milk pots, a good knife, disinfectant, a toilet roll, handwash liquid, whatever other essentials you like - for caravan holidays etc. Just chuck the box in the car and you have all your essentials when you arrive. When you get home restock it and put it away ready for next time.

echt · 31/07/2021 02:04

Johnson's baby shampoo when camping: works as body wash, dog wash, shampoo, clothes wash and dishwash.

BikeRunSki · 31/07/2021 08:41

My patents tried to do what @HalfShrunkMoreToGo’s did, but never pulled it off, certainly it with so much panache!

Jennyw12 · 31/07/2021 10:39

@butterflyfox

Uh *@WallabyLullaby* where were you when I needed you? Several years ago I was looking at beautiful tops in a market in India. I knew none of them would fit broad-shouldered big boobed me. But the man at the stall was so convinced that I agreed to try one over my t shirt. Of course it did not fit but I could it get it off but it peeled my t shirt off with it so I was stuck arms in the air midriff and bra exposed with a tube of Indian cotton binding my shoulders and suffocating me in the heat. Eventually team of male shopkeeping had to haul it off me. Awful awful shame.
Embarrassing. Did you have to ask them to help you?
Theblackdogagain · 01/08/2021 07:25

Holiday tips:
In front of the car have snacks that can be passed to children when needed. If behaviour isn't going well in the back seat promise a sweet in x amount of miles for good behaviour. The sat navigation is helpful for this.
If going to a holiday park pack swimming costumes and towels in a separate bag on top do you can go swimming as soon as you are there.
On a day with mixed weather keep hoodies in the car, then if you get soaked everyone can change into something dry for the trip home. An adults hoodie makes an excellent blanket for a sleepy child.

nottomgates · 01/08/2021 08:33

When doing the school run play times tables CDs in the car. Helped my DS learn his tables.
Have a stick with a slightly sharpened point to put carrot chunks on to feed horses at the park/ farm. It stopped DS from being bitten.
Travel at night with DS who gets travel sick. He rarely is travel sick at night but gets terribly travel sick in the daytime. 🤷‍♀️
Have a picnic packed in the car for all day weddings. Sneak off for a break during the photos.
Carry travel size bottle of baby powder with you on long hot days out. It’s good to stop chafing (DH complained of this walking round Disney world and the baby powder went down a treat) works well as a preventer of chafing if used at the start of the day.
Take a bottle of hair conditioner to the beach to lather DD hair when out of the ocean, it detangles easily. Then when back at the villa/ home and can shower, her hair is in a lovely soft condition.

BashfulClam · 01/08/2021 16:10

@nottomgates I hope you are only feeding horses you have permission from the owners to do so? That innocent carrot can cause serious issues.

nottomgates · 01/08/2021 17:38

BashfulClam
Bundle of joy much?

Of course don’t worry you’re pretty little head darling!

BashfulClam · 01/08/2021 20:09

@nottomgates hard to be a bundle of joy when
I’ve seen the issues caused by people encouraging their little darling to feed the carrot to the horsey.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 01/08/2021 20:16

Please don't feed any animal with food on the end of a stick.

Please don't feed any animals without permission.

Please don't be a dick to people who are concerned that you may be doing these things, which are dangerous for the animals.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/08/2021 20:28

Why you shouldn’t feed horses without permission!

catinboots21 · 01/08/2021 23:13

@Stichintime

Always wear 2 pairs of knickers.
Why?
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 04/08/2021 16:46

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

we used to go to Belgium and Holland at 2am and would do the same regarding putting kids in car in jimjams & cover them in blankets.
we'd have "ferry bag" ready: normal clothes, shoes, food, drinks, baby changing stuff, some toys & books etc and we'd get them changed & fed on the boat.

one time DH took kids on his own and forgot to pack their shoes...oops. it's lucky they were visiting his brother with similar aged kids so could borrow wellies!😁
after that he always made sure shoes were packed!
he's an absolute pro with camping & beach stuff too

Needhelp101 · 04/08/2021 17:30

Lovely thread!

Always put clean sheets on the bed before going on holiday.

That's all I've got.

Kolo · 04/08/2021 17:39

@Agadorsparticus

I do the 3 sips of water upside down to cure hiccups, works everytime guaranteed. (Take a sip, don't drink, touch toes, head to the floor and sip slowly).

Baby wipes I store upside down in the drawers, the next wipe is anyways damp

Damn it, I never thought of that way. I've been drinking upside down as a cure for (alcohol) hiccups for decades. Had to perfect drinking from a cup whilst uspide down.
Kolo · 04/08/2021 17:41

Use your left thumb and finger next to your pinky to squeeze your right middle finger whilst using your right thumb and finger next to it to squeeze the left middle one - try it!

Never going to be able to do that on a heavy night out.

peaceanddove · 04/08/2021 18:38

We invented 'The Quiet Game' when on long journeys with young DDs. It was very simple - whoever was silent for the longest got the packet of sweets. Worked like a dream x

catwithflowers · 04/08/2021 18:44

@Needhelp101

Lovely thread!

Always put clean sheets on the bed before going on holiday.

That's all I've got.

Love that tip! There's nothing nicer than getting into a bed with clean sheets and an ironed duvet cover and pillow cases! And especially after coming home from holiday! Will steal that idea for sure. 😍

daisyjgrey · 04/08/2021 21:44

@nottomgates , @BashfulClam Is 100% right and you definitely shouldn't be feeding animals that aren't yours/you don't know the owners of, especially not with food on the end of a pointy stick...

There's also no need to be such a pious twat with your reply either.

Feawen · 04/08/2021 22:05

@nottomgates

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55888872

Sillysuzie · 04/08/2021 22:16

Cut the flesh away from a bell pepper rather than try to get the seeds out. Far less mess

BashfulClam · 04/08/2021 23:08

Glad it’s not just me! DO NOT FEED ANIMALS UNLESS YOU OWN THEM, HAVE PERMISSION AND DO NOT USE A POINTED IMPLEMENT! Are the people who do this shit really showing their children this is ok?