Mumsnet users tell Disney Junior their best parenting hacks

[EllieMumsnet]

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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

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There are no hacks in parenting - maybe clever little outsmarting things you can do - like say the opposite to get what you actually want done, or start them getting ready 30 mins before you need to do...because they drag and drag..........but really hacking is the language and practice of my DC, not me!

I always try to encourage independence in my child slowly but surely I've encouraged dc to help me with all sorts of tasks an activities from cooking and cleaning to grocery shopping washing , it's developed a natural curiosity and indepence, dc is interested and always asking on how to Do this or that I explain and shoe how to Do it and then it's easy to grasp young children are like sponges they absorb everything and with me giving the time and encouragement of showing what I'm doing and letting them take the reins they understand better learning is doing. My child has enhanced their capabilities and understanding of what they can do and they now do it themself of course I overlook and I'm there to help and answer all the questions. My child is independent and capable of doing things for themself and not afraid to ask for the help needed. I am raising my child to be aware of they're surroundings and not everything is as it seems and that they need to think before they act such as look in both directions twice before crossing the road. That they don't have to be friends with everyone and it's fine to say no to a person you can still be polite and cordial but have boundaries there for yourself so that you are comfortable,you are in control of how you feel and are in situations and if it's feelswrong or you have bad vibes about someone it is fine to walk away from them.

By twins like farming so they have a patch of ground in the garden they are constantly cultivating stuff on. Most of it dies but they don’t care, they also love tidying , chores and housework. They got a robot hoover for their birthday! My daughter spends all her time in her room taking selfies and watching you tube, however.
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Haven't found one yet and my eldest is 21! 🙄

Taught my toddlers to put coats on the Magic Way, where you put the coat zip side up on the floor with the hood next to their feet. They slide their arms in to the arm holes and flip it over their head - ta dah! They rarely fuss about getting coats on if they can show you how they do it the Magic Way (I regularly "forget" how it's done).

With the kids I try not to sweat the small stuff (easier said than done). I keep on reminding myself that very little else matters as long as your dc are happy and healthy not everyone is as lucky.
Oh and also 20mins here and there in front of the tv is fine so you can get stuff done.

Sometimes I deliberately get things wrong (mess up a colouring picture, spell a word wrong etc) and make mistakes just to help my DC see how to just let things go sometimes and it's ok not to be perfect and all you can do is try your best and not give up.

I also cut us all some slack (me included!) When I know we are all tired. DC have a hot meal at school so sometimes they have a picnic on the rug at home for dinner. Crumbs are fine it takes 2 seconds to hoover up, DC like the novelty and I like not having to cook for one night!

DD is still at the toddler phase, and my biggest so far is creating the illusion of choice. So she always gets to choose between two, equally acceptable, options for outfits, meals, activities, etc.

I try to encourage mine to try and that mistakes are a sign that they are learning not something to get upset about. I also like to remind them of their achievements every time I hear the phrase “I can’t” . I think that helping them to understand that life doesn’t always run perfectly is a really important skill to acquire.

'Painting' outside in the garden with brushes and pots of water- hours of fun and no mess.

Playing with gloop (cornflour, water and a drop of food colouring) on the kitchen floor for hours (see a theme developing here- I was trying to get my degree with two toddlers). Once they finished you can just hoover up the powder.

Getting out of the house! It's all too tempting to stay out the cold in this weather but for us it results in cabin fever! Bundle them up with cosy clothes and get out and about, even for just a walk round the block.

Library trips! 6 new books each every week!!

Hmmm we have tried some of these with varying degrees of success. I find it's about giving the kids enough time to complete what they need to be doing - plenty of time to get ready in the morning, enough time to eat dinner, do their homework etc, They find it stressful to be rushed (as do I)

I have two children and they're very competitive. I challenge them with a "which of you can tidy your room the quickest?" and use the stop watch on my phone. I also use this opportunity to do a chore myself (like putting laundry away, unpacking food shopping etc) so then I can make sure i always lose to them so neither of them get upset if they're not the winner.

On long car journeys we play who can be quietest the longest

Small shelves of books everywhere for distractions, quiet times etc from when they were very little. Small bookshelves at the back door ready to grab on the way out. A selection of books in the car regularly changed. Pram books. Small book bag for any trip away from home. We have always encouraged the DC to settle down at the table ready for meals early with a book and have a small bookshelf near the dining table. It has worked so well having books as a distraction that they would even select books for just-in-case we are early arriving for appointments etc.

Top tip- plenty of fresh air every day and exercise.

Having a picture list of things to do before school each morning!

My parenting hack is to teach my children that they are unique and so is everyone else in the world. I teach them that we must respect and tolerate everyone regardless of sex, race, beliefs etc.
I also teach them that making mistakes isn't a bad thing. That by learning mistakes we learn and grow.
We talk openly about mental health and our feelings. We talk about how it is ok to feel sad. I always tell my children that every situation has a solution, you just haven't found it yet

Trying to teach my 12 year old DS to make good decisions, and have balanced attitude to helping round the house, homework vs time in front of a screen.

So he has to find two chores to do on arriving home from school, not me telling him what to do, he has to see what needs doing and crack on and do it.

It has taught him to be more independent and helpful

If I want my kids to try a new food, I don’t offer it to them. I just pretend to secretly eat it but ensure I get “caught”. They are outraged and beg to try it because they presume that it’s a treat. You have to mix in some genuine treat foods so they don’t rumble you!

Pick your fights
Reward good behaviour
Only threaten consequenses for bad behaviour that you actually follow up on - our favourite that works best is "If you do that again, X goes in the shed"
X = favourite toy