One day, my daughter called me and said that her children never let her nap. She couldn’t believe it when I gave her some tips that helped her nap in peace and better care for her children. It was as if I had given her the keys to a secret kingdom of parenting.
My name is Nancy, and my daughter, Allison, is a single mother of two energetic children, a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. Since their birth, Allison has worked full-time. I either babysat the little ones or they were in daycare.
A boy with his sister | Source: Midjourney
Allison recently quit her job and decided to stay home with the kids during their vacation. She wanted to spend more time with them before finding a new job.
I thought she was fine until she called me yesterday looking completely exhausted.
“Mom,” Allison sighed into the phone, “I can’t even take a 15-minute nap! They’re constantly waking me up… I promised them we’d go to their favorite park afterward, but it’s not working!”
A stressed woman | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Oh, honey, of course it doesn’t work!” I said. “They’ll just wake you up faster! Listen, if you want to rest undisturbed for a while, tell your kids this: ‘Guys, I want to take a nap, but when I wake up, we’ll all do chores together.'”
“Really? Is that all?” Allison looked skeptical.
“Trust me, they’ll let you sleep a lot longer than you think. I found it on Reddit when I had the same problem with you kids. Besides, those aren’t the only tricks. There are many more.”
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
Let me share all the tips and tricks I shared with my daughter yesterday. These tips aren’t just for parents. Even grandparents can use them to care for their grandchildren.
1. Eat your vegetables!
Let’s talk turkey (or rather, carrots). Let’s talk about how to get those little monsters to eat their greens. We’ve all been there: the power struggles, the difficult children, the feeling of bribing a small army. But fear not, I know a sneaky little trick that can solve this problem.
A child with a bib | Source: Unsplash
If you’re having trouble getting your child to eat these chlorophyll-rich foods, try serving these vegetables before dinner. Let me explain why.
Little tummies tend to growl at dinnertime, making them more receptive to anything that resembles food.
So, prepare a plate of crunchy carrots and cucumber sticks and present them as a grand appetizer. You’ll earn bonus points if you serve them in a fancy glass. Kids love a beautiful presentation.
A woman cutting vegetables | Source: Pexels
2. Always ready for bed
If you’re taking your kids swimming in the evening, I have the perfect solution to get them ready for bed.
When it’s swim time, simply throw these cozy pajamas in your swim bag. Once the splashing and showering are over, your little ones can slip straight into their nightwear, without any frantic searching or desperate bargaining.
Even if they’re not quite ready for bed yet, they’ll be primed and ready for a smooth transition into dreamland.
A boy in pajamas on the bed | Source: Pexels
No more delaying tactics or bedtime battles. Just a smooth, stress-free transition from splashing to sleep.
3. The burp trick
Ah, the infamous newborn burp, the bane of many new parents’ existence. Even though Allison didn’t have a problem with it because her kids are older now, I told her about it anyway so she could share it with her friends.
A woman with her baby | Source: Unsplash
So the trick is to have your little one sit on your lap, support them under the armpits, and gently move their upper body in a circular motion.
It’s like a reverse hula hoop, but for burping. This simple maneuver seems to do the trick much faster and more reliably than traditional methods. I’ve tried it so many times, and it works!
4. The crisis of madness
The next time your little one is having a tantrum, try this: simply ask them what color their shoes, shirt, or other clothing item is.
A boy sitting on a chair | Source: Midjourney
This simple question acts as a gentle distraction, taking them out of their intense emotions and refocusing their attention elsewhere.
It’s almost like a mental reset button. The child suddenly stops thinking about whatever was bothering them and finds themselves contemplating the color of their favorite jeans or the pattern on their socks.
5. The countdown trick
As any parent knows, transitioning a little one from playtime to bedtime can be a recipe for meltdowns and rebellion. But I have a secret that can make it easier for you.
A woman at the playground with her child | Source: Pexels
The secret lies in using a concrete, visual timeline that your child can easily understand. Rather than vague warnings like “we’re leaving soon” or the dreaded “two more minutes,” be specific in your countdowns.
For example, you might say, “Okay, let’s see if you can go down one more time. Six more slides and it’s time to go.”
The key is to never use a number less than five. Anything lower will inevitably be followed by the classic request, “Just one more!”
Girls on a slide | Source: Pexels
By giving them a clear, quantifiable goal, you allow your child to have a sense of control and closure over their play session. Plus, six slides seems like a significant number, giving them the satisfaction of having had their fill before reluctantly ending.
6. Consistency is key
We’ve all experienced that moment when our child oversteps the mark, testing our resolve with a blatant disregard for the rules.
Close-up of a crying child | Source: Pexels
At this point, it’s very tempting to issue a harsh threat, hoping to stop the behavior. But the real test lies in our ability to deliver on our promises, 100%.
You see, children are born to push boundaries, constantly exploring the limits of what they can do without punishment. But as wise guardians, we must remain firm in our approach.
If you tell your little one, “If you throw sand again, we’re leaving the beach,” then you better be ready to pack your bags and go home, even if it bothers you.
A girl throwing sand on the beach | Source: Pexels
The key is to ensure that the consequences you impose don’t affect you so much that you stop implementing them. It’s a tough line to walk, to be sure, but the benefits in terms of trust and respect are immeasurable.
7. Put it on the list
Imagine: You’re shopping with your child when suddenly their eyes light up at the sight of the latest must-have toy or game. The begging begins, and before you know it, you’re deep into negotiation.
A girl with her hands on her face | Source: Unsplash
I have a trick to handle this delicate situation.
The next time your little one spots something they absolutely must have, calmly tell them to “add it to the list.” This brilliant strategy serves two purposes.
First, it avoids the dreaded “no” that can so often lead to arguments and tears.
Instead, you redirect their attention to a list, which is a tangible way for them to keep track of their desires.
A girl writing something | Source: Unsplash
Second, this tactic plays into the hands of the distracted child. If they’re the type to lose interest in their “must-have” items as quickly as they discover them, chances are they’ll completely forget about the toy by the next vacation.
This tip will definitely save you from arguments in the store.
8. The lie detector
Outsmarting a little one’s sneaky tendencies may seem like a full-time job, but this ingenious trick puts the power back in your hands.
A girl covering her ears with her hands | Source: Midjourney
Simply tell your child that their ears turn red when they tell a lie and watch in amazement as they instinctively cover their ears as the lies begin to flow.
9. Lead by Example: The Bedtime Trick
The secret to getting your little one to sleep may lie in your bedtime routine.
Instead of reaching for your phone or burying your nose in a book, try this simple but effective trick: let your baby watch you fall asleep.
A woman sleeping on the couch | Source: Unsplash
When it’s bedtime, resist the urge to entertain yourself. Get comfortable, close your eyes, and practice staying still and quiet. Your little one will naturally follow your lead, observing your relaxed state and picking up on the cues that it’s time to settle down for the night.
10. Turn chores into games
When dealing with toddler tantrums, try turning even the most mundane tasks into fun competitions. Whether it’s brushing teeth or cleaning the house, you can easily turn potentially explosive situations into moments of shared fun.
A mother talking to her children | Source: Unsplash
Invent toothbrushing contests or cleaning races, where children become enthusiastic participants instead of reluctant subjects. Simply making it a team effort or a friendly challenge can defuse any brewing battle, replacing tears and frustration with laughter and camaraderie.
It’s a great way to turn everyday tasks into engaging playtime, keeping everyone happy and in harmony.
So that’s all I told Allison during our phone conversation yesterday. I hope these tips will help her better care for her children.
A woman talking to her daughter on the phone | Source: Midjourney
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This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the story. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims regarding the accuracy of events or character portrayals and are not responsible for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and the opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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