I’m Nancy, and my daughter Allison is a single mom to two energetic kids, a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. She recently quit her job to spend more time with them, but she called me exhausted, saying she couldn’t even get a short nap because the kids kept waking her up.
I suggested a simple trick: tell them, “I want to take a nap, but when I wake up, we’ll do chores together.” This approach worked for me when you were kids, and there are other tips that can help.
A woman sleeping on the couch | Source: Unsplash
Here are some practical hacks:
1. Eat Your Veggies!
Serve veggies as a snack before dinner. Hungry kids are more likely to eat them, and presenting them attractively helps too.
2. Always Ready for Bed
If you take kids swimming in the evening, pack pajamas in the swim bag. After swimming, they can easily transition to bedtime clothes.
3. The Burp Hack
For burping newborns, sit them on your knee, support them under the armpits, and move their upper body in a circular motion. It’s effective and quick.
4.Meltdown Madness
During a tantrum, ask the child about the color of their clothes. This distraction can help calm them down.
5. The Countdown Trick
Use specific countdowns like “six more slides” instead of vague terms. This gives kids a clear target and helps with transitions.
6. Consistency is Key
Always follow through with consequences. If you say there will be a consequence, be prepared to enforce it.
7. Put It on the List
When kids want something while shopping, tell them to “put it on the list.” This avoids immediate arguments and often they’ll forget about the item.
8. The Ear-Covering Lie Detector
Tell kids their ears turn red when they lie. They’ll instinctively cover their ears when fibbing.
9. Lead by Example:
The Sleepy Bedtime Hack** At bedtime, get cozy and quiet yourself. Children often follow your cues, making bedtime smoother.
10. Turning Chores into Games
Make chores fun by turning them into games or races. This keeps kids engaged and reduces resistance.
