The two parenting tricks that I learned years too late.

[SharingMichelle]

1. Give them music and headphones for long car journeys. Shuts them right up. My eldest is 10 and I've only recently learned this.

1. Peel the negative space off the sticker sheet and your small child can peel off the stickers independently. Without ripping them. Yes, even cheap stickers. WHY didn't anyone tell me this one??!

For children who just can't stay still long enough to poo on the potty - bubble wrap (supervised of course). We used to call it Potty Pop Pop.

For older kids who permanently forget what it was they were doing - getting dressed etc. A portable mp3 player onto which THEY have recorded their morning routine and why they need to do each step. They love hearing their own voices and that way they are reminding themselves rather than you having to do it - far fewer morning battles.

Also, thanks MN for the pasta in a jar method for kids busy pushing boundaries. Works like a charm!

Powershower you could open it as one page (see all messages) select all and copy the whole mofo into a word document.

Sticker tip is amazing thank you.

This may well be unique to my (very mobile) 1yo but just figured out that he hates the grass. Thus I put him and toys on a picnic mat surrounded by grass, and he stays on the mat!

Say what you want them to do, if you say the opposite they often do that instead because that's the but they heard.

So 'hold tight' instead of 'be careful not to drop it'.

My tips would include: Use low tack masking tape to tape kids paper down to the table before drawing and painting. Use cupcake tins as a paint palette. Tape lining paper to the floor for BIG pictures. If you have lots of small kids, cut up their food cleanly and easily with scissors.

For resistant toddlers who don't want to get in the buggy: Put them in then immediately grab the crotch strap and pull up before they can arch their back. whatever you do, don't let go of that strap!

And always, always carry bubbles.

Have removed my toddler's bed guard and instead cut a pool noodle the same length as the bed and tucked it under the fitted sheet to give a ridge - he hasn't fallen out yet!!

That 9x table thing has blown my slightly intoxicated mind!!

today's top tip.

never, ever, ever, buy pants or socks with the days of the week on.

You will spend far to many mornings scrabbling through a basket of clean washing looking for the second Tuesday sock.

A tablet is also good for long journeys.

1. (May be on here already as pretty sure I got it from MN and I've only read about half the thread!!) When kids are fighting over a toy use an electronic timer to give each a turn. This defuses the situation as the child without the toy can watch the timer count down and know they get it when it goes off.

I also use the timer to time electronic time as the timer going off is more effective than saying til X time.

1. If struggling with control of electronic time try instituting days on and off. It removes the constant questioning about what time they can and can't have on the days off and enables them to think about something else!!

I can't wait to try the sticker one and I only learnt the envelope neck trick on dc3:-(!!

Get school socks from M&S as they at least have sizes written in the top to aid pairing!!

I'm on a roll now...

Don't waste money on expensive toy farms use a shoe box - the lid with green paper stuck in is a paddock and the box with a flap cut it the stable.

DK you know the knuckle trick for remembering how many days in the month? Start with a finger on first knuckle. ThTs January. Then drop down into the gap between knuckles for feb, then up for March, down for April, up for may, down June, up July then cross to the other hand and continue up for august etc. All the months on top have 31 days in them. All this in the gaps have 30 or 28 for Feb.

Save their paintings they've done at nursery, fold in half so picture on the outside to make birthday/thank you cards for grandmas etc. Write message on the inside.

The receiver thinks DC has made it especially for them. And no need for you to go through the faff of making cards from your DC. Win win!

If they use a grow bag or sleeping bag put your hand under their head and pick up the grow bag so it's like a hammock and then place them in cot.
The startle reflex is much less

Basically, the conclusion is that baby bodysuit producers and stickers manufacturers should put instructions on the packaging!

I knew about both, but only because someone told me. :)

My tip is - if the baby/toddler wakes up looking/asking for a dummy in the cot, to chuck quite a few in for the night, so that they just need to stretch out their hand in the darkness to come across one. :)

When giving birthday or xmas presents - remove from box, remove all cable ties and screws, remove excess packaging, assemble, put in batteries. THEN wrap it.

Done this since we almost had a trip to A&E when grandad tried to cut cable ties with pen knife on xmas day after too much sherry.

To give calpol (or any other medicine with an oral syringe) to a big baby/young toddler: Load up the syringe and then give it to the baby to hold. Everytime they put the right end in their mouth subtly push down the plunger. My children, who fight like ferrets against medicine, have always eaten it with joy using this approach. They think they've found something contraband to play with and are pleased! Best done with child in sling.

Another medicine one: to give steroids, place a chocolate button on a small square of parchment/grease proof paper and zap in microwave for 10 secs. crush steroid tablet between two teaspoons and carefully place powder onto melted choc. Fold paper in half to cover powder in choc and put in freezer for 2 mins. Feed to baby.

You don't need to wake baby in middle of night to feed: dream feeding is the business!

A trolleybag is perfect slipped between handle and seat of a buggy/ pram

For colds and snuffles prop baby up with a pillow under the mattress

To wash hair if reluctant, lie flat in bath in no more than an inch of water.

Dressing toddlers, but your hand up sleeve, grasp their hand and pull through.

One more! To minimise sibling rivalry talk to new baby about the older child. Baby will only hear your tone of voice but older child understands words. Won't be so jealous if mummy is cooing " you are so lucky to have such a lovely big brother" instead of cooing how wonderful baby is iyswim

Double sided Velcro. I actually read about it here. It costs about a fiver but has so many uses. I keep a few pieces wrapped around pram cross bar. It came in handy for hanging shopping and handbags. Was also good for attaching toys and blankets. I also did a lot of shopping and would worry about tipping the buggy. My local quality save were selling wrist weights for £1. I bought two for the front of the buggy. Also used to use socks as mittens in the winter.

This thread is genius. I wish I had something to add but common sense is not my forte

No genius from me, I'm afraid but loving Saracen's tip for older kids.

Also, thanks MN for the pasta in a jar method for kids busy pushing boundaries. Works like a charm!

I know this was ages ago but what's the pasta in jar method?

Love the tip about the back to front nappy (you can guess what DD has been up to recently! )
For TV issues, I've put a painting in front of ours. Out of sight means I don't get asked every 5 minutes to switch it on.