Summer is the season of unwinding, spending quality time with family, and enjoying the break from the relentless sounds of the school year. However, for moms, it can also be a whirlwind of chaos as kids are home full-time, leading to a mix of messes, endless questions, and occasional meltdowns. To help you navigate these sunny days with a bit more ease, here are nine practical summer hacks that can lighten your load and give you some much-needed sanity.
1. Soothe Those Bites
Let’s be real—your kids probably won’t be brushing their teeth regularly until school starts again. Instead of stressing over it, use toothpaste to ease itchy bug bites. Just dab a bit onto the bites and let it dry. The eucalyptus oil in toothpaste is said to help, but who cares about the science? As long as you can avoid saying, “Stop scratching, or you’ll get a scar!” for the umpteenth time, it’s a win.
2. Chill Out by the Pool
If your kids have finally convinced you to take a dip, they’re going to want drinks too. To keep the fun going, create a simple floating cooler. Grab a plastic tub, cut pool noodles into quarters, and tie them together with rope to form a rectangle. Place the tub inside, fill it with ice and drinks, and voilà—enjoy your floating kid-friendly cooler without leaving the water!
3. Perfect the Playpen
If you’re taking the baby outside while gardening or supervising older siblings, keep them comfy and protected by draping a fitted sheet over the playpen. This provides shade and can help keep pesky bugs at bay.
4. Alleviate Sunburn
Sunscreen reapplication every half hour? Yeah, right! If your little one ends up looking a bit too crispy despite your best efforts, whip up some aloe vera ice cubes. Fill an ice cube tray with 100% aloe vera gel and freeze. The cold cubes will soothe their sunburn and ease your guilty conscience.
5. Natural Bug Repellent
If you’re wary of slathering your kids in chemical-laden bug spray, try this natural alternative. Stick 10-15 cloves into each half of a lime for a DIY bug repellent. It may not be as strong as DEET, but it’s definitely less toxic. Plus, tossing dried sage into your fire pit can help ward off bugs and give your yard a pleasant aroma—just remember to keep a close eye on the flames!
6. Stay Hydrated
Keep drinks cool for your little ones by filling a water bottle a quarter full and lying it on its side in the freezer. This way, they’ll have refreshing drinks that won’t turn lukewarm in minutes. Just be careful not to fill it too high, or it’ll freeze over the opening.
7. Mess-Free Popsicles
What’s summer without popsicles? But they can lead to sticky hands and stained clothes. To avoid the mess, poke the stick through a cupcake liner to catch drips. Alternatively, a plastic coffee cup lid can work too—just jab the stick through the hole. (And yes, we know that means a trip to Starbucks, but we can handle it!)
8. Safe Sparkler Fun
Fireworks can be a bit scary for kids. To make sparklers safer, stick the handle through the bottom of a plastic cup, allowing kids to hold the cup while enjoying the sparkle without the fear of burns.
9. Cooler Cleanup with a Twist
If you’re hosting a get-together (or just keeping your kids entertained), fill your cooler with frozen water balloons instead of ice. As the ice melts, your kids can turn cleanup into a water balloon fight—fun for them and minimal effort for you!
With these tips in your back pocket, you can enjoy a more relaxed summer. For more engaging ideas, don’t forget to check out this post on Modern Family Blog. And if you’re looking for at-home insemination supplies, Baby Maker offers reliable kits. For additional resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit UCSF’s Center.
Summary:
Summer can be a challenging time for moms, but with these nine clever hacks, you can make the season smoother. From soothing bug bites to creating a floating cooler, these tips will help you enjoy those sunny days with less stress.
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