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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your “not so Mumsnet” life hacks

355 replies

anothernameagain000 · 03/08/2018 20:41

While I’m a sucker for great tips to save time on ironing, cut down my cooking times and being a domestic whizz, as it’s friday evening and I’m bored - tell me your more down to earth tips... such as - “carry a spare hairband in a nightclub to help those throwing up to keep hair back, or the best way to get out stains when baby just crapped on your new carpet!

OP posts:
AornisHades · 05/08/2018 19:03

My variation on the dancing is singing the dc into submission. Works every time. The 12 yr old was mortified and I only needed to breathe in deeply and open my mouth...

ThisMorningWentBadly · 05/08/2018 21:02

My dance had a song attached lyrics below:

“i’m DS1 mother and i’m singing and dancing in Tescos because he is acting like a two year old. Yes DS1 is acting like a two year old inTescos so i’m Singing and dancing (ad lib)”

I picked several different tunes for this masterpiece. Whispered once under my breathe and the threat of dancing to it as well DS1 stopped acting like a two year old (he’s 11).

MentalUnload · 05/08/2018 21:20

A local supermarket offers an hour of free childcare. When I find myself in times of trouble, I go there for a quiet coffee. Guilt free, since we buy so much food too...kids eat a TON.

MentalUnload · 05/08/2018 21:22

I sang my favourite songs as lullabies, but it’s backfired now that they’re older and belting out punk rock to their teachers. Ugh

MentalUnload · 05/08/2018 21:25

One for the first day back at school...ask your kids what their favourite things were from the holidays...you can be sure their friends or teachers will ask, and their first response might be to say they didn’t do anything!

MentalUnload · 05/08/2018 21:29

If your baby fusses, count to 60 before responding. Of course if they cry it’s different... This works on kids and husbands too.

ThisMorningWentBadly · 05/08/2018 21:53

If your toddler falls over don’t make eye contact unless they scream.

BikeRunSki · 05/08/2018 22:06

A local supermarket offers an hour of free childcare. When I find myself in times of trouble, I go there for a quiet coffee.

I used to do this at IKEA. It’s s 49 min drive, but hey ho.

Want2bSupermum · 05/08/2018 22:39

bike All the better that it's 49min drive to Ikea! That's 3 hours of kids being entertained if you drive slowly.

Buxtonstill · 05/08/2018 23:05

Pass a shop Victoria sponge off as your own by pressing a cooling rack on the top until it leaves an indentation.

BikeRunSki · 05/08/2018 23:17

That was a typo Want2, it’s actually 40 mins. But yes, we could easily spend most of the day going there and back, especially if we had lunch there too.

MentalUnload · 05/08/2018 23:49

Ooh, how long will IKEA take them for? Is it very germy? (Balancing seeenity now vs likelihood of illness later)

SimonBridges · 05/08/2018 23:52

Builds up an immune system. It’s like having vaccinations.

MentalUnload · 06/08/2018 00:25
Grin
Want2bSupermum · 06/08/2018 01:38

mental I live just outside of NYC and our local IKEA overlooks Newark airport. I have 3 family cards which secures me 3 30min playtimes when they are busy. I take them the first time, DH the second time and me the third time or my Dad if he is with us. I have spare tshirts so switch them between different rounds. I have my free cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake in peace. Horseballs are for amateurs.

Yes it's germy at the end of the day. We arrive for 10am ish and leave by 1pm. When my kids get home the fun continues with a dettol bath for another half hour. At that point it's 4pm so movie and dinner before bed.

MentalUnload · 06/08/2018 05:53

Supermum that’s so cunning! My kids would get a kick out of watching the planes too. So do you have to go and fetch the kids/swap the passes every 30 minutes? IKEA trips are usually a couple of hours long so it’s weird that they don’t have longer play times (or so they know it’s used for coffee breaks?!)

BikeRunSki · 06/08/2018 06:04

It has been s couple of years since I left my dc in the IKEA crèche, but they used to take them for an hour. This was in Leeds.

lifelongfrugaleer · 06/08/2018 07:19

The Gateshead IKEA is an hour or 45 mins at busy times but you have to book a slot if its busy. Use the handy shortcuts to the cafe. Or just a wander and actually look at stuff properly

SnugglySnerd · 06/08/2018 08:32

I take them to Ikea too. The Wednesbury one. Long drive there, oldest goes in the creche, dts like riding in trollies so they get wheeled round while we look at stuff. Collect dd1 and have a cheap lunch whilst watching the lorries on the M6. If only they did twin trollies I could go on my own every week

MentalUnload · 06/08/2018 08:38

IKEA is in for a busy week GrinBrewCake

BikeRunSki · 06/08/2018 08:52

Leeds IKEA also has a good pre-schooler size playground too. And the ice cream machine.

LittleDoritt · 06/08/2018 09:01

We have three monthly inspections from our letting agent. I bin bag up all the random clothes/ toys/ books/ general crap on the floor and put it in the car boot for the duration of the inspection Blush

drspouse · 06/08/2018 09:55

Dress all your children the same in unusual and bright colours.
I used to dress them in orange at soft play but other parents cottoned on to this and I kept thinking my child was crying when it was someone else.

Apileofballyhoo · 06/08/2018 10:56

I bin bag up all the random clothes/ toys/ books/ general crap on the floor and put it in the car boot for the duration of the inspection.

Been there, done that. Works for any visits including house sales.

dreaming174 · 07/08/2018 04:10

'You can avoid needing to wipe down walls by never wearing your glasses inside the house.'

'Save money at xmas by telling everyone to piss off in november. Apologise in time for new year.'

These are winners!!