Summer is finally here! Kids are thrilled to be out of school and spending time with their friends. Summer is a time of leisure for kids of all ages, no matter if they will be going to a sleepaway or a day camp. Parents, on the other hand, don’t have so much free time to relax. The following is a list of the top five hacks for parents to make their summertime a lot easier.
#1. Creating a Routine Chart
TikTok Mom MrsBlinks created adorable labels and attached them with velcro to a summer chart. When kids complete the tasks, they move the labels to the opposite side of the chart. Even though some of these are chores, such as making your bed and cleaning up, this includes more creative things, such as doing something kind or reading. Once the kids complete their charts, they get rewarded. The TikTok mom also created various tags to vary the daily duties. It’s one of the hacks that surely stand out this summer!
#2. Playtime Hacks in the Water
When you go to the beach, the ocean is immediately in front of you. However, your kids may want to play in the water without being tossed around by the waves. Such hacks can always let you enjoy the water, sunny weather, and the beach as a whole. The trick from TikToker athomewith.shannon is great. Bring a shower curtain to the beach, dig a small hole, and then cover it with the curtain and pour water into it. You now have a small pool where your children can remain comfortable while seated and playing, and you can still stay close.
#3. Having Fun With Color-Coded Dishes
On Facebook, Bianca Majanja shares hacks, and one of them went viral with 44 thousand shares. She said that she bought different-colored plates, bowls, forks, cups, and spoons for each kid. Thus, she will know who to hold accountable for any dishes that they leave behind. The kids can only use their dishes and are responsible for washing them. Another simple and brilliant hack.
#4. Preparing the Car for Anything
In this Tiktok, user maizimmy instructs parents on how to ensure their car is prepared for anything that comes their way. She shows how to store additional clothes, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit in seatback organizers. Then, she throws in additional shoes, sports equipment, and water in a truck organizer. Also, she brings an umbrella and a blanket. She refers to her trunk as a massive “contingency plan.”
#5. Bringing Popsicles in the Park
One of the most enjoyable summertime delights is a popsicle. However, unless you load a large cooler with ice, they are hard to transport to different locations. If only there were hacks involved in this one. Oh, wait, there are! If you’re only going to be at a park or the beach with your kids for a couple of hours, this tip from TikToker ywmfamily will make things much simpler for you. Put the popsicle sticks in a large insulated cup like a Stanley or a Yeti. This will surely do the trick. After this, you should pack it with ice and secure the lid. When you get to the park, there will be frozen popsicles waiting for you and your kids!
Is There a Way to Tell Whether a Kid Is Ready for a Smartphone?
If you have a young pre-teen at home, you may already have had conversations about smartphones. Maybe your kid wants a smartphone or you’re wondering when is the right time to give them the opportunity to use such a smart device that’s basically the whole world at their fingertips. This is not an easy decision to make, as it’s, in a way, life-changing. If you want to make a more informed decision, this article can help you!
Observe the Child Before Giving Them a Smartphone
Experts in the area say that it’s very important to observe and know how your child reacts in different everyday situations in order to decide on their readiness. If your kid is relatively on top of things and they don’t get very emotional and upset when something didn’t happen how they wanted it to and if they follow rules in other areas of life, they may be ready for their first smartphone. However, there can still be some great kids that don’t have good self-control or kids that are struggling with anxiety and depression. If this is the case, it’s better to try and postpone their introduction to a smartphone.
The Issue With Smartphones and Kids
Kids can get in a lot of trouble online, especially if they start using social media. Many different kinds of research have shown that the time spent on social media correlates to issues with depression and anxiety. It’s very possible for social media to open up kids to some things in life that they’re not ready for. They also could gain access to imagery that can affect their body image and self-esteem. And although many parents think that this is the norm, now, giving your kids a smart device is actually dangerous. Even if they avoid a certain type of content, they can still see things that aren’t good for them or they can find workarounds and access things you have forbidden them to use/look at.
Start Small if the Child Isn’t Ready
If you’re not sure if your child is ready for such a big step and responsibility, you should start with something smaller than a smartphone. A good way to start is a smartwatch. Most smartwatch options offer basic phone, text, and GPS capabilities. The thing with smartwatches is that you offer your child access to a smart device with a lot smaller reach. They’ll be able to communicate with you but not with anyone you didn’t allow them to connect with. If they use the smartwatch reliably, it may be just what’s needed to be sure that they’re ready for the next step – getting a smartphone.