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Parenthacker’s toolkit: stuff every parent needs

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in: Organizing Time & Space

Amazon: Leatherman Juice multitool When sharing the link for the baking soda shampoo hack on Twitter and Facebook, I joked about how baking soda should be part of a collection of must-have multitaskers for busy parents: the Parenthacker's Toolkit. A flood of responses came back suggesting what else should be on the list. Here's what we've got so far:

  • Baking soda (for shampoo, for cleaning, for deodorizing, for laundry…)
  • White vinegar (for cleaning and disinfecting, stain removal, jellyfish stings…)
  • Ziploc bags (for containing Legos, uh, messes, making ice cream…)
  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
  • Duct tape (for making socks non-slip, for keeping diapers closed, and a million other uses)
  • A good multitool such as the Leatherman Micra (Thanks, Adrienne! Here's her Baby Toolkit post extolling the Micra's virtues.)
  • Sharpies (for our most famous hack, among other things)
  • Baby wipes
  • Soft twine or string
  • WD-40
  • Scissors
  • Hairspray (for removing pen ink)
  • Masking tape and painter's tape (for labeling things, hotel childproofing…)
  • Krazy Glue
  • Paper towels
  • Post-it Notes
  • Tweezers
  • Needle-nosed pliers
  • Baby powder (for getting rid of beach sand and haircut trimmings)
  • Elmer's Glue (for craft projects and removing splinters)
  • Hand sanitizer (also removes pen ink!)
  • Aloe vera (plant or gel) for burns
  • A handy bottle of water and a snack
  • A deck of cards
  • Ear plugs
  • Cloth diapers (useful for wiping up any kind of spill)

Wine, bourbon and margaritas were also mentioned.

Anything else?

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About Asha Dornfest

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast.

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Recent posts

  • Edit Your Life Ep. 120: Feed Our Democracy
  • Edit Your Life Ep. 119: Modeling Imperfection [Rebroadcast]
  • Edit Your Life Ep. 118: Coping With Parenting + Work Overwhelm
  • Edit Your Life Ep. 117: Media & Entertainment Favorites, Vol. 4
  • Episode 116: Tackling Challenges + Insecurities

Comments

  1. kate wood says

    April 4, 2011 at 7:36 am

    Great post! The only thing I can think to add is a good dose of humor, which no parent can go without. Bravo Asha, and PH community:)

  2. Stu Mark says

    April 4, 2011 at 8:48 am

    Couple of suggested additions: Twist-ties, small snub-nosed scissors, Klonopin.

  3. Sue says

    April 4, 2011 at 9:37 am

    For throw-up emergencies in the car: plastic bags (also for general car garbage), water and/or seltzer for use with paper towels. Change of clothes for all in trunk. Individual hand wipes.

  4. Melissa says

    April 4, 2011 at 11:21 am

    I keep one of those wedding favor bubble containers in my purse. Great for when we are stuck someplace and I have nothing else to entertain them with.

  5. Rebecca says

    April 4, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    I keep a mini tape measure in my purse. It entertains toddlers by zipping closed and older kids by mearsuring things when on a long drive or waiting.

  6. Regina says

    April 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Blue Painter’s tape — it comes off almost everything so when the kids want to hang artwork, make an envelope, design doll clothes, they know to come get it. I keep several rolls at home.

  7. Chris says

    April 6, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    What about a smartphone? I’m finding that my iPhone is an invaluable tool and I’m using it for a variety of things like a timer, flashlight, tracking tool and general entertainment. I don’t know what parents did before these things.

  8. Bobby says

    April 7, 2011 at 8:29 am

    This list is awesome. Would you consider doing the same thing for a must-have travel kit perhaps? I’ve entered this contest: http://www.mypigeonforge.com/familychallenge/Giveaway-Rules.aspx and a tool kit for trips would be awesome.

  9. Margaret Weiss says

    April 7, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    can we also add elastic (for pants, holding mittens, and to be used instead of shoe laces as permanent replacements)? 🙂

  10. Hannah says

    April 8, 2011 at 9:20 am

    Yeah. The smartphone is so useful.

  11. Becky Casares says

    April 11, 2011 at 8:54 am

    Industrial strength velcro is great for organizing at home.

  12. Di says

    April 18, 2011 at 10:38 am

    The magic eraser is quite toxic, I wouldn’t have it in my house, let alone near to children? otherwise a great list!

  13. Janice says

    April 20, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Please be careful with this- when I was little I cut my eye (my actual eyeball) with a tape measure playing with it this way. It zipped back into it’s case and cut me along the way.

  14. It is really fun to browse for different recipes, I am learning a lot and also thanks for sharing your ideas because at the same time I am also trying my best to learn how to prepare says

    April 26, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    It is really fun to browse for different recipes, I am learning a lot and also thanks for sharing your ideas because at the same time I am also trying my best to learn how to prepare

  15. Susan says

    April 27, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Desitin… for sunburn relief, It REALLY works and works great!

  16. Rebecca says

    June 12, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    Actually that seems to be an urban legend or mis-information. Very possibly not enviro-friendly to produce, but the sponge itself is just plastic. As long as you don’t eat it, it’s fine. If you want more info, start with Snopes and out from there. I just looked it all up because of this comment and I’m not concerned in a direct-chemical-contact sort of way.

About the Author

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast. More about Asha »

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