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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I can imagine it sounds a bit Julie Andrews (I am anything but Mary Poppins, by the way!) but we’ve always made everything into songs; a brushing teeth song, a ‘can’t sleep’ song, a starting school song- pretty much everything! It kind of makes mundane things more fun and ‘scary’ things less daunting. It’s always helped mine and now they make up their own!

From an early age dd has seen helping mommy tidy up as a treat as I sold it as a grown up job. Still works now at 13 years. Teaches them responsibly and helps me get job done quicker

Bathe your child in a laundry basket (with holes) so that their toys don’t float away. Just pop it in the bath and the wather will enter and your little one can sit and play with their toys!

Remember it's your job to bring up your child to be a valuable member of society and that means being a teacher and seeking to engage with your child.

Don't take the easy way out and let your child disappear into their own little gadgetry-based world. Set an example by not always being glued to your phone.

In order to give a life, you need to get a life.

be fair and treat with respect. Always apologise if you in the wrong so kids can see we not perfect either and make mistakes but make ammends also

I believe empathy is the most important thing to teach a child. If they can put themselves or those they love into other peoples shoes, then they will be kind, well rounded human beings

Set an example even if it means putting yourself in an unfamiliar position and always reward good behavior or achievements

with fussy eaters ive found askign them about the colour of the food, then asking them what in the body is that colour telling them thats what its good for helps them to eat better

example my daughter hates tomatoes i told her she needs to eat them coz they are red which elps her blood flow lol

We get everything ready for the coming week on a Sunday evening so there is no rushing around in the mornings during the week looking for the various things they need.

My DD is too young to understand much, but I always make sure I have a spare change of clothes and snacks in my bag! Its typical whenever I didnt have spare clothes there would be an accident, or when she needed a distraction I had no snacks at hand!

Star chrts work for lots of tasks.

Never go back on promises. Or make ones you know you'll have to break.

Don't talk down to them. And try to encourage an intelligent attitude to life (and have fun as well)!

We write L and R inside shoes and on shin pads. We use rhymes and songs to remember school work that she has to learn as well.

We try to work together as a family - older siblings have their own laundry baskets so that they are washing their own clothes - the younger ones catch onto this & loke the idea that they are responsible for their own washing. And we use washing up time to go over homework or just talk about anything that might be worrying them.

Time in is a betyer idea than time out as well. Often children want attention but go about it in a way that is disruptive so I do a 'time in' - this will always involve doing a chore with us - but because you talk together it is always enjoyable and teaches that things can be resolved by talking & doing - when you communicate - even if it's about something else like working out how to do something it can he a positive thing. Work through problems in a practical way can be very helpful.

When telling your child off don't punish the small things tell what the coincidences of they did wrong. Eg lied about a child hurting them=the child will be punished and then will hate them or just lie about everything in the future and become a bad person.

Whenever we went out whether it was to the beach, dunes, woods or along a river I took carrier bags with me. You never know what flora or fauna you may find and you can collect things and take them to identify.

To always
do their best and be kind everything else is a bonus.

Be honest and open with them and explain why it's vital for them to be honest and open with you. A few examples of "I did what you're doing when I was your age, so you can't get one over on me" helps a lot too.

Take things one step at a time, don't let things overwhelm and stress you out or you won't enjoy the little moments.
Also telling the truth about important things.

I teach them that their boundaries are to be respected - if they feel uncomfortable or unhappy about a situation, we talk it through and find a solution. If that means they don't go to an event, or they hang back with me the whole time, so be it. They know there are non-optional things in life, but if there's wiggle room we find a way to make it work. Their input and ideas are a valuable contribution to the family unit.

Always give your reasoning for everything. There's never a straight "no" in our house, they always understand and respect why they can't do something. Basically mine are 18, 16 and 15 and I just don't have discipline issues and I'm sure employing this principle has helped them understand and empathise. They have to understand that we're all on the same team.

I think just listening and making things fun is the way forward.

seriously talk a lot with your kids - it seems these days a lot of children find communicating a bit of a chore!

cauliflower hides well in mashed potato
let your kids dip the sprouts in apple sauce at christmas

i find that if too many clothes go in the wash, then ensuring they always peg out results in less clothes next time

any mess is cleaned up themselves (no matter how rubbish they are at cleaning) and biscuits only come out when the place is clean.

no pets unless a full schedule of "poo management" is drawn up and agreed by all parties of the household

ignoring the limits of time on the computer/phone results in the wifi password changing

anyone fighting has to listen to a full album of barry manilow until they have calmed down and are ready to get along again.