So, it rained about 22 of the last 30 days, but then Mother Nature was all like “Hey, hey Summertime, I am feeling ya,” and blessed us with some very warm, hot days.

No, I am not complaining! I promise. I have been longing for sunshine and warmth and sunshine oh, and warmth. You catch my drift?

But, let me let you in on a little secret… hot summer days with a toddler. Yep not the same, as pre-baby. I NEVER sit anymore. I chase. That is my new mode. I am in chasing mode. I also have sunscreen on my hip for the first sign of redness. My beers actually turn warm before I can finish, because I place them down to again, chase a toddler and then I forget where I put them. I get nervous about bare feet on wooden decks – splinters. Bare feet in lawns – bees. Bare feet in gravel – unidentifiable sharp objects. Basically I am a scaredy cat!

So, when I stumble across life hacks for parenting, I am all like, “Hallelujah! Can I get hellz yeah, Momma?!” And, then I high five myself. Let me indulge you.

1 – Toys On The Go
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Recycle and reuse your empty wipe containers as to-go, toy canisters for outdoor and on the go summer fun. Who cares if they get filled with sand, dropped in mud, dropped in a puddle. You can easily clean off and reuse.

2 – Mess-free PopsiclesSource
I find myself shivering at the thought of sticky, sugary juice melting in the hot summer sun, all over little hands. Yuck! Especially when you are outdoors and not near a public restroom. Double yuck! Pack cupcake tins during your next picnic. It will surely intrigue the kids and protect them and you from a sticky mess.

3 – Bug Free Drinks
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Yep, cupcake tins in for the win again. (Totally did not mean to rhyme there). Anyways, cover sugary, sweet drinks with a cupcake tin to protect bees and insects that stake their claim in your summertime beverage.

4 – Protect Your Phone

Always, always pack a zip lock baggie if the following equation is taking place. You + child + water = Disaster! I tend to throw my cell which also has a lifeproof case, in a zip lock baggie too. Maybe I am crazy? Overly cautious? Or all subconscious.

5 – Cool Off
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How cool is this? I am totally down for this during the hot summer months. Cut some sponges into cubes, string together and soak in cold water. Then when your little is hot, place around their neck, to naturally cool them off. If they are a baby or toddler, they may chew on the sponges which will help with their gums and cool them down.

6 – One-Stop-Shop Bag
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A one-stop-shop bag is a must! Band aids, Tide-to-Go and medicine, can each have their moment to shine this summer. So, let this bag do its job. Only, thing missing? Mommy’s tequila. Just kidding. Maybe?

7 – Mess Free Bubbles

I found this picture on Pinterest with no link. Boo! I even tried Google image search and it just showed Pinterest shares, but again no link. How smart is this? I mean I cringe at the thought of handing over the wand and tube to my bubble loving baby. She just lacks… grace, let’s say.

8 – Bug Free Sandbox
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So, I have no clue if this works, but you bet I am going to try it! Apparently, cinnamon keeps the bugs away, so once you sprinkle throughout the sandbox and stir, goodbye bugs, hello sweet smelling sand, oh, no – do not eat that, child!

9 – Keep the Baby Pool Clean
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Yeah, okay, so I needed this hack a week ago. We have filled and refilled the baby pool twice now. And, rain and pollen have dirtied the pool, yet again. Cover your baby pool with a fitted sheet to keep the water clean. There, done.

10 – Sand Removal
So apparently Baby Powder and sand, well they do not mix! This easy summertime hack is so simple! Just rub some powder between your hands and then rub across skin. Goodbye sand.

So, there you have it. Some summertime parenting hacks. Do you have some secrets to add to the list? If so, share in the comment section below.

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