Do You Own These Products?
When it comes to parenting, there are plenty of products and hacks out there that promise to make the job a breeze, but in reality, they’re a bit of a hit or miss. To help you boost productivity and become the super parent you truly are, here are 20 products to consider.
1. Electrical Nail Filer
When it comes to grooming your baby, toddler, or child, it can be more hassle than you’d expect. From the tantrums to the fear to having to keep their limbs still – it’s better to skip all that and buy an electric nail filer. For newborns especially, this makes nail clipping a breeze.
2. An All-Position Baby Carrier
You’ll honestly lose track of your baby if you get one of those easy-to-use baby carriers that wrap around your back and shoulders. You can now do dishes with the baby in tow or go for a walk without having to lug a stroller around.
Christopher Luther on Unsplash
3. A Cup Catcher
You’ve probably seen all those clips of babies and toddlers throwing their sippy cups off the tables and making a mess on the floor. Spare yourself the trouble and the need for watching them 24/7 by getting an elastic cup catcher. It essentially hooks around the bottle and is attached to the table itself, so if the baby throws it away, it simply dangles or bounces in mid-air.
4. Hanging Closet Organizer
Sometimes it can be hard managing all the space you need with so many kids. Are you going to give up an entire closet for them? And why do they have so much stuff anyway? To maximize your space, you should get a closet hanger that extends down, giving you multiple cubbies for your storing needs.
5. Rolling Utility Cart
Since children can be quite touch-and-go, it’s great to have furniture that follows suit. You could set up a rolling cart as a diaper dispenser station and take it to whatever room it’s needed in. You can also use it to stock up on homework and stationery supplies so your kids can comfortably study anywhere, from the dining room to their bedroom.
6. Mop and Broom Holders
Let’s face it, with kids around, you’re going to be cleaning up more messes than expected. Having the right tools for the job is one thing, but storing them all in an effective and accessible way is another. Nobody wants to dig through a dusty closet to untangle the mops from one another.
7. Plastic Food Bag Dispenser
Whether you’re packing school lunches or midday snacks, those plastic zip-lock bags are a convenience you can’t deny. To make things even easier, you can buy a food bag dispenser that stores each sized bag and lets you simply pull it out of your drawer when needed.
8. Pantry Pocket Organizer
Shelving space can be hard to come by, especially in the kitchen – which is why there are so many ways to maximize storage. These pantry pocket organizers basically dangle from the door and offer up dozens of little pockets for you to insert sauces, marinades, spices, and more. With kids, you’ll probably need every sauce, spice, and utensil in existence.
9. Visual Schedules
As a parent, not only do you have to manage your own schedule, but you also have to manage your kid’s schedule. This can be a bit tricky, but it’s also a great opportunity to get them involved. If you buy visual aids, you can set up a calendar or a to-do list highlighting everything they need to do, from brushing their teeth to eating lunch to having some fun.
10. Drawer Dividers
If your kids struggle to share storage space with one another, then there’s a better way. Consider a drawer divider, which can give each kid their designated space and allow them the freedom to organize and arrange things the way they want.
Now that we have talked about productivity-boosting products every parent needs, here are 10 that you’re better off skipping.
1. Crib Bedding
While not necessary for organization, having a functional and comfortable sleep space is crucial to your child’s health and happiness. However, when it comes to buying the right products, you’ll want to skip all crib bedding, including things like pillows or comforters – as they can lead to serious risks.
2. Toy Box
Most parents think a toy box is just what they need to keep the toys organized and teach their kids about clean-up, but in reality, shoving things into a box really isn’t the equivalent of organizing them. Instead, set up a more creative or engaging toy-storage system. Anything beats a bin on the floor.
Susan Holt Simpson on Unsplash
3. Mismatched Food Storage Containers
If you buy food storage containers, your heart’s in the right place, but you’re going to need to do a bit more to make it actually functional. With mismatches, you’ll be spending extra time trying to figure out which lid pairs up with which box. It’s better to get identical boxes and organize them by size for ease of use.
4. Wipe Warmers
Another thing to skip is wipe warmers, which effectively keep baby wipes warm to make changing a more comfortable process. However, many warn against this, as it becomes quite the breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
5. Tiered Clothes Hangers
Instead of a closet organizer, you may opt for tiered hangers, but you’ll quickly run into a different problem. The weight from the clothes stacked up on one another leaves wrinkles and makes them quite messy to wear.
6. Infant Walkers
You might think this is a great way to get your kid moving while you focus on other tasks, but in reality, it’s quite dangerous. If your child can’t effectively walk on their own, then using an infant walker before they’re ready can lead to falls and accidents.
7. Shower Organizer Suction Cups
It’s pretty common to hang up shower organizers with suction cups, but you’ve probably realized they’re not very secure, and it’s only a matter of time before they start sliding down. If you’re looking for a reliable option, try command strip shower organizers instead.
8. Diaper Disposal System
You’re probably thinking a diaper disposal system is the only way to keep that terrible smell out of your house, but stashing them in a bin is only going to make that bin smell worse and worse as you’ll probably forget about them. Instead, save money by getting disposable diaper sacks that mask the smell.
9. Gift Wrap Station
Most people would think having a whole setup for gift wrapping is ludicrous, but some parents have so many kids and relatives to keep track of that a station is needed to make Christmas and birthdays a breeze. But honestly, it’s a waste of money, and you’re better off keeping the wrapping in a storage box and bringing it out to an all-purpose desk when needed.
10. Baby Food Processor
You don’t need to make your baby gourmet food from scratch, but if you want to, you don’t need a special processor for it. In fact, any regular mini food processor will do the job just fine.
