Luckily, there’s a whole community of moms who are more than happy to share their genius hacks to make these moments a little less stressful. From squeezing in an extra five minutes of peace to dealing with the messes tiny humans leave behind, they’ve got you covered.
Scroll down to check out some of their best tips, and remember to upvote your favorites!
m2argue , Карина Суховерхая / pexels Report
It’s no secret that kids can be a whirlwind, making it a struggle for many parents to find effective ways to get them to settle down. According to Anne-Marie, a professional nanny for over 20 years and now an expert mom coach, establishing structure and routine is key to managing their behavior.
“It makes them feel safe and loved,” she says. “When you create rules for your family, stick to them! Your child will respect and trust you. Setting clear expectations and following through goes a long way!” You can find more of her insights on her website and Instagram.
Laura, a mom of two, understands the excitement and exhaustion that come with parenting. She shares her honest journey on TikTok and Instagram, openly discussing the challenges of balancing motherhood, work, and household tasks. One of her best survival tips? “Always have snacks in the car!” Kids can turn cranky when hunger strikes. And if you’re racing through the school run without enough time to pull yourself together, she advises, “Buy two hats, one beanie, and one cap—and you’ll never have to brush your hair again!”
Laura also suggests a simple yet brilliant idea: buy two of your child’s favorite soft toys and rotate them. This way, you’ll always have one ready, which is a lifesaver if one gets dirty and needs a wash or if they forget it at home.
Bebby_Smiles , Arina Krasnikova / pexels Report
janquadrentvincent , Sergey Makashin / pexels Report
TurkDiggler_Esquire , Katerina Holmes / pexels Report
In addition to these frustrations, Anne-Marie believes that one approach that doesn’t work well with children is redirection, which involves distracting them from problematic behavior by suggesting a more positive one.
“In my opinion, redirection is actually a form of avoidance. It is our responsibility to correct inappropriate behavior," she says. “If the child doesn’t know that what they are doing is not okay, they’ll repeat it again. This is where parenting comes in: lovingly but firmly saying no, getting down on the child’s level to make eye contact, connecting so they understand, and asking them to make a better choice.”
Anne-Marie also cautions against treating your child as a close friend instead of a parent. “It’s important to engage and have fun with your child, but when we call them our best friends, we blur boundaries and create power struggles,” she notes. “True friendship with your child develops when they become an adult!”
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GearlGrey , Ksenia Chernaya / pexels Report
smash_pops , Ketut Subiyanto / pexels Report
She also points out that many moms today face their own unique pressures. “We are one of the first generations of mothers working in such high numbers—moms in paid work in the UK rose from 50% in 1975 to 75% in 2019,” Laura explains. “Our mothers didn’t experience these struggles, so they couldn’t sound the alarm.”
That’s why both Laura and Anne-Marie passionately advocate for moms to prioritize their own well-being. “Often, moms put themselves last, leading to burnout and even depression,” Anne-Marie warns. “Creating self-care routines is essential for their health and happiness.”
So, perhaps this is the ultimate life hack every mom should remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing your own needs isn’t just good for you; it creates a more positive atmosphere for the whole family.
keeperofthenins , Pavel Danilyuk / pexels Report
Okayifyousay , Yan Krukau / pexels Report
belzbieta , Sarah Chai / pexels Report
Bmorehon , Nadin Sh / pexels Report
arandominterneter , Denise P.S / flickr Report
clever-mermaid-mae , MART PRODUCTION / pexels Report
Mrs_Xs , Ron Lach / flickr Report
lil_ticket , Phil Nguyen / pexels Report
MakeMeAHurricane , Aljona Ovtšinnikova / pexels Report
SpecialistTill56 , Austin Kirk / flickr Report
Furbyparadox , Kindel Media / pexels Report
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thatstrashpapi , Devika / flickr Report
tomtink1 , Andrea Piacquadio / pexels Report
ConcentrateOk6837 , osseous / flickr Report
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West-Veterinarian-53 , Artem Podrez / pexels Report
SupEnthusiastic , Ketut Subiyanto / pexels Report
Sunraia , Vika Glitter / pexels Report
Dandie_Lion , Tatiana Syrikova / pexels Report
AltairaMorbius2200CE , cottonbro studio / pexels Report
toreadorable , Ольга Жарикова / pexels Report
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