Mum Hacks That Actually Work (And a Few That Definitely Don’t)

Every mum has a few hacks up her sleeve. Some make life infinitely easier, while others… let’s just say they sounded better in theory. Here’s a roundup of mum hacks that truly help keep the day manageable, plus a few funny flops to remind us that not everything is a Pinterest win.

Hacks That Actually Work

1. The Sock Laundry Hack

• The Hack: Get each family member a laundry bag for socks and toss it straight into the wash. This way, all the socks stay together — no more hunting for missing pairs!

• Why It Works: It saves time, frustration, and the dreaded basket of mismatched socks.

2. Night-Before Lunch Prep

• The Hack: Prepare lunchboxes the night before and pop them in the fridge. Add an ice pack in the morning and you’re set!

• Why It Works: Mornings are chaotic enough without adding lunch prep into the mix. This hack frees up precious time and means fewer last-minute panic sandwiches.

3. Shower Steam to De-Wrinkle Clothes

• The Hack: Hang wrinkled clothes in the bathroom while you shower, letting the steam smooth them out.

• Why It Works: It’s perfect for when you’re short on time and can’t be bothered to iron (or can’t remember where the iron even is).

4. Toy Rotation Magic

• The Hack: Hide half the toys and swap them out every couple of weeks. Kids get excited as if they’re new, and you deal with less clutter.

• Why It Works: Fewer toys out means easier clean-up, and it keeps your child engaged with what’s available.

5. The “10-Minute Tidy” Before Bed

• The Hack: Get everyone to spend just 10 minutes tidying before bedtime.

• Why It Works: It prevents the house from looking like a disaster zone and keeps things manageable. Plus, kids are more likely to help if it’s quick!

6. Pre-Portioned Snacks

• The Hack: Divide snacks into little containers or sandwich bags for easy grab-and-go access.

• Why It Works: You won’t have to scramble for snacks every time you leave the house or face hungry kids at home. Just grab, hand over, and you’re good.

7. Stash a Mini “Mum Kit” in the Car

• The Hack: Keep a small kit of essentials in the car — baby wipes, snacks, tissues, plasters, and hand sanitizer.

• Why It Works: You’ll be prepared for anything, from sticky fingers to scrapes to hunger emergencies, even when you’re out and about.

Hacks That Definitely Don’t Work

1. Sticker Charts for Every Behaviour

• The “Hack”: A sticker chart for every little behaviour. They’ll listen better, right?

• Why It Doesn’t Work: Sticker charts can quickly get overwhelming, and soon you’re the one doing all the work (and tracking lost stickers). Sometimes, a simple, “Good job!” goes just as far.

2. Organising Kids’ Clothes by Day

• The “Hack”: Put together outfits for each day of the week, organized by drawer.

• Why It Doesn’t Work: Half the time, your child will reject what you picked out, or want the pirate shirt on Wednesday instead of Monday. Flexibility is key when dressing small humans.

3. Turning Chores into a “Game”

• The “Hack”: Make chores fun by calling them a game!

• Why It Doesn’t Work: This can backfire fast. They might think everything’s a game and decide they’re done halfway through. Or, you might find yourself exhausted from trying to make vacuuming sound like “superhero training.”

4. Sneaking Veggies into Literally Everything

The “Hack”: Blend veggies into sauces, muffins, anything to get more greens in them.

Why It Doesn’t Work: The moment they notice, it’s over. They’ll eat half a muffin and find a bit of green, and suddenly broccoli is the villain in every meal you make.

5. Fruit and Veggie “Faces” on Plates

The “Hack”: Make cute faces out of fruit and veggies on their plates.

Why It Doesn’t Work: It takes forever to arrange, and let’s be honest, most of it will end up on the floor

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6. Letting Kids “Help” You Cook

The “Hack”: Let them be “kitchen helpers” to learn cooking skills.

Why It Doesn’t Work: It turns a 20-minute dinner prep into a 90-minute mess-making party. You’ll gain patience but lose your sanity.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Parenting is already challenging enough, so use the hacks that make life easier, laugh off the ones that don’t, and remember there’s no such thing as a “perfect” routine. Even if the glitter didn’t quite pan out or the sticker chart fizzled, you’re doing a fantastic job. Sometimes, the best hack is a sense of humour and a reminder to embrace the chaos