If you're just using TikTok to escape your everyday and unwind, you may be using it wrong! There's a treasure trove of valuable information there if you know where to look.
Parents, you absolutely need to find some parenting accounts to follow. Sure, it may sound a little pretentious, but "parenting influencers" aren't the same on TikTok as in other places. Parents on TikTok are more everyday, from all walks of life, and just looking to help with some really ingenious ideas.
Skeptical? These 12 parenting hacks are pretty major game changers that are blowing the minds of moms and dads everywhere.
Turn doing little chores into a competition.
TikToker @deal_family recommends turning little household chores into a scavenger-hunt-like game for kids to compete. Simply write an age-appropriate task on an index card. When the kid finds it, they do the chore before moving on to the next card. The kid with the most cards in a predetermined amount of time gets some kind of win!
Dedicate a bin to optimize how much of your kids' stuff you're holding onto.
When it comes to saving report cards, art projects, and more, @lyndseychachki came up with a simple plan. Get a bin that allows for hanging files and dedicate a file to each school year. You'll have a central place for all the stuff you want to save but a limited amount of room that will keep you from saving everything.
Keep every wipe in the bag from coming out at once with this easy hack.
Nothing is more annoying than when you need one wipe and a whole bunch come out. It can end up making more of a mess than cleaning one up. In this TikTok, @amber.s130 shows the super-simple way to stop it from happening, giving you one less frustrating moment in your day.
Potty training can be fun.
Stressed about potty training? TikToker @michplustwo offers a simple idea that may be a game changer for some kids. Simply add a few drops of blue food coloring and encourage kids to change the color by using the potty.
Bring that change of clothes without lugging around a huge bag.
Even once kids are out of diapers, there are plenty of reasons you can find yourself needing a spare set of clothes. This expert folding hack from @craftymoms lets you bring a full outfit with you compactly just about anywhere.
This clever tip can help keep kids reined in while shopping.
Getting kids to cooperate in the store without acting out or asking for too much can be tough. This tip from @afterhourswithamanda offers a solution by giving kids a little bit of control and autonomy while also giving them something to do as you shop.
Got a picky eater? Here's a smart way to let them graze.
Many parents experience that phase where kids just don't want to eat at mealtime. It can be incredibly frustrating and feel high stakes. So @emmshap decided to step it back a bit by offering her toddler a little snack board with a variety of things he can graze on at his own pace throughout the day. This takes some of the pressure off mealtime.
Let little ones experiment with paint without the mess.
Let toddlers take baby steps into the art world with this great hack. Using this mess-free way of playing with paint from @mothercould, kids make their masterpieces inside a freezer-size resealable bag.
Pick a good sleep snack for a sound night for everyone.
TikTok parents are swearing by giving their baby a banana at bedtime for a good night's sleep. TikToker @agoyneee_xo is one of many moms who say the hack changed the way their whole family's sleep schedule worked.
Make a simple sensory toy to keep babies busy in their highchairs.
All you need is water, confetti, and a freezer bag. TikToker @thebastfamily shows how easy it is to make a sensory toy that will keep little ones entertained long enough for you to get a meal together.
This super-simple solution helps when you've got a streaker.
Have a baby who likes to take off their pajamas? Do they dare lose the diaper, too? Instead of waking up to a morning mess, simply put their one-piece zip-up pajamas on backwards so they can't get out, as demonstrated by @whatsupfagans.
This too-easy trick will stop toddler tantrums in their tracks.
Mom @nicdimarco shared a beyond-brilliant hack for avoiding toddler tantrums in stores over — what else? — toys! She takes a picture of her kiddo with the toy they enjoy, then saves them to an album on her phone she can go through for gift ideas. You can then also share those with family members who can (1) get something they actually want and (2) get the right something they actually want. Wins all around!
