If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being a parent, it’s “prepare now to avoid catastrophe later”. Catastrophe comes in all shapes and sizes: getting out the door late, meltdowns, whining, panic or even sarcastic eye rolls and flippant comments from the teenagers amongst us.
There’s no joy in Catastrophe-ville.
So, when Honey Maid asked me to share a few life hacks that have helped avoid thunder storms in my house, I was happy to do it.
Serenity Now
I hate waking up, HATE it, but getting up an hour before everyone else makes the day go smoother. The moments of peace and silence as I sip my tea and get my game day face on makes all the difference in the world.
It’s so much better than waking up to:
“Mooooooooooooom, I can’t find my cheerleading skirt” or
“I forgot to tell you that I need to have my athletic physical by today.”
Granted, I’m still gonna hear that stuff, but I’m ready for it when I’ve already had an hour to myself.
Sort Laundry as it Comes Off
Use laundry hampers with multiple compartments and teach kids at a young age to separate whites, darks and brights at the time they’re removing their clothes for the day. It’s easier to tell when it’s time to do a load of laundry, and it saves you time overall!
Put an End to Lost and Loose Buttons
Apply a light coat of clear nail polish to the threads in the center of coat and shirt buttons. It prevents them from loosening and popping off later, saving you loads of aggravation.
Keep Sheet Sets Together
My kids have always been good about changing their sheets on “sheet day”, but the linen closet looks like an explosion inside when they’re done. If I store both the fitted and flat sheets inside the pillowcase, they grab the whole package and the mess never happens.
Be Ready with Grab-and-Go Wholesome Snacks
Fill small, resealable containers with on-the-go snacks for everyone in the family to grab as needed. Kids will make wholesome snack choices if you have them available.
Honey Maid Go Bites make a great wholesome choice with 5 grams of protein and 7 grams of whole grains. The little puffs have centers filled with either chocolate or vanilla – yum!
It’s a taste the whole family will love, and I’m especially fond of what Honey Maid stands for: No matter how things change, what makes us wholesome never will.
No matter how things change, what makes us wholesome never will.
Honey Maid: everyday wholesome snacks for every wholesome family.
This is Wholesome.
What life hacks help your days run smoother?
Compensation was provided by Mondelez via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Mondelez.
Hil says
I do that with my sheets too and it is so much easier!
Heaven says
All these are great! I especially like the sheet and button ideas! Pinning and stumbling. Stopping by from Dream Create Inspire.
Nikita Goyal says
Hey Liz! I like this trick of covering buttons with nail polish. Smart idea! And I always mess up with bed sheets and their pillow covers, But from now onward I will try to keep them the way you suggested.
Melissa says
These are all great ideas. Plus, I love snack sized treats and honey maid makes some of my favorite.
Raijean says
I love the idea of quick and easy. I swear, there is never enough time in the day.
Colleen says
I love the sheet and button tips I’ve never heard of them but they are perfect.
Katie says
I prepare lunches for the next day as I’m making dinner/getting in and out of the fridge. I love the button trick – I’ve never thought of doing something like that!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Putting clear nail polish on buttons is a great idea! I will do that. Thanks for sharing your life hacks.
HilLesha says
I find these life hacks extremely useful, especially the loose buttons!
Donna says
I like the keeping sheets sets together in their pillow cases hack! We love the new Honey Maid Bites, too!
Tammy Litke says
When our daughter was younger we always had the backpack ready to go by the door the night before. No more of that I forgot or can’t find or where’s that paper…with that method in the mornings either 😉
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
Love the idea to put all the sheets in the pillow case. I hate how the two sheets and pillow cases are all different sizes and never fold nicely together.
Kait says
Omg I totally need to put all of my sheets in the pillow cases like that! Genius!!
Crystal says
Having things ready to grab & go saves me so time, especially when I’m rushing getting the kids to all of their activities.
Erica says
I love all life hacks and all of these are great. I will have to keep them in mind especially the button one.
Racquel says
Good ideas for trying to stay a little ahead of the curve. With three little ones and two medium bigs, it’s pretty crazy around our house most days and little things help keep us sane.
Jaime says
I can cosign on each and every one of these hacks. I always get up long before my daughter so i can get everything ready to rock and roll. She’s not able to get herself dressed due to her disabilities but I try to get everything ready for her and have the things she can do without assistance ready, her meds already dosed out and backpack by the door. Smooth sailing!
Amy Desrosiers says
I love the clear nail polish hack! My kids love to pick their buttons off at school!
Chrissy Mazzocchi says
Oh wow I haven’t seen these yet, they look so yummy! I know my kids would love them.
Tiffany Cruz says
I love all of these hacks. And I’ll start using some of them soon!
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says
I am all about having healthy snacks available. My kids are grown now but I still love my morning quiet time to be able to ease into the day.
Naomi says
First time parent here and I find these hacks great as neither of them I haven’t tried but would like to do it.
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings says
I love putting clear nail polish on buttons! Great idea 🙂
The Pinterested Parent says
Great tips & I am also going to try the polish on buttons. I have never heard of that. I have to try it out.
Geanine says
Love these hacks!! I use the trick with the healthy snacks but I use snack size baggies and Honey Maid Go bites are the perfect size!
Penny Struebig says
Love the one about putting clear nail polish on the buttons. I had never heard of doing that before and it makes perfect sense.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
Awesome tips! I had no idea about the buttons. That’s super useful.
Colette @JamericanSpice says
I do try to do that laundry one. It’s best than to be overwhelmed.
Thanks for the tips.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
That’s been one that I’ve found quite helpful also! It takes a bit to get everyone in the hang of it, but once they are it becomes second nature. SOOOO helpful!
Colette @JamericanSpice says
I do try to do that laundry one. It’s best than to be overwhelmed.
Thanks for the tips
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I am so going to go paint all my buttons!! lol That’s a great tip.
Penelope says
I love the idea of nail polish on threads on a button! I’m going to try it! I wonder if it washes off in the laundry (I’ll know soon enough!)…HATE losing buttons!
Mistee Dawn says
These are some absolutely great tips. I will have to keep these in mind. And I want NEED some of those HoneyMaid snacks. Looks delish!
Stefani Tolson says
Thanks for the great tips. I like the idea of using the nail polish on buttons. Those snacks sound yummy too!
Alice Chase says
Yes, yes, yes, and oh my goodness yes! Keeping the natives fed is the key to happiness at our house.
Caitlin says
These are great tips for helping your family! Ps those Honey Made snacks look amazing!!
Gabriel Bregg says
Teach your kids self reliance. I want them to enjoy childhood and be kids, but at the same time, if they learn to do things for themselves rather than coming to me or their mom whenver they need something, that helps us now and them in the future.
Myrabev says
I do not have kids yet but these are awesome tips which I hope to remember when I do but saying that I love waking up an hour before everyone else but that’s because insomnia wakes me up by force lol
Kristin says
Confession…I ate almost the whole box myself. Haha!
Donna Ward says
I never thought of a few of these – my fav is the button one! I am always loosing one – and my favorite that I use is to prepare the night before, for the morning rush. Great, fun post 🙂
Donna Ward says
I also shared this one 🙂
Cara (@StylishGeek) says
Parental hacks for those daily innuendos we have to deal with is so helpful! I use that nailpolish trick too. And it makes a perfect glue for stocking runs! Thanks for sharing. Fun read!
Felicia says
These are all such great tips, Liz. Those bites just make life so much easier!
Tonya C says
Such great ideas. I relish that extra hour of peace and quiet before the kids get up and the ready to go snacks is brilliant! I will definitely be doing that from now on!
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
Our mornings are ROUGH! But I do everything I can to make them go smoothly by doing as much as possible the night before.
I love the idea of painting buttons to keep them in place!
Censie says
We love having snacks available for the kids. That way packing up everyday is easy.
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
Great idea for the buttons! I’m totally going to do this!!!
Yona Williams says
OMGoodness…this is the first time that I’ve heard of the clear nail polish button hack. I am soooo using this one.
Heather says
Lots of good tips – I like the idea for the sheets!
Kristen says
I have seen some commercials for those, and they look really yummy
Angela says
How did I not know about that nail polish on the button threads trick? That is so dang clever!
Star Traci says
I love all of them but the sheets inside the pillow case is brilliant. How did I not think of that? Super smart!
<3
Traci
Local Adventurer (Las Vegas Blog) says
i love the idea where you put the sheets in the pillowcases. we don’ t have kids so we only have two sets for us.. but if we do i’ll definitely need to be doing this.
Echo says
Absolutely FANTASTIC! I would have never thought about clear nail polish on button threads! GENIUS! I am so using that trick.
Rachee says
That sheets one is ridiculously genius.
We usually use old containers to for snacks. That way if they get loss it’s not so big a deal.
Debbie says
Awesome advice. Great to have good snacks handy.
COASAHM (@COASAHM12) says
I love these tips and the go bites a new one to me. We will definitely give them a try!
XmasDolly says
Could have sworn I left a message, but oh well there’s some great tips here especially about the buttons, but I didn’t know honeymaid made these yummy sounding snacks that’s for sharing.
Katarina K says
I love this post! It has such amazing advices and it will definitely help a lot of parents!
Lynndee says
I love the tip about the loose button. I don’t know how to sew so that is the perfect one for me to do. 🙂
Cherri Megasko says
I love the button hack! I have rogue buttons stashed everywhere in my house. Sometimes I find what they came off of … sometimes I don’t.
Lisa Rios says
These are awesome life hacks for every parents. I do take a lot of care in putting an end to those lost & loose buttons most times & also keeping the sheet sets organized together.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
This is a great tip for buttons! I used to do this to my work clothes when I worked outside the home. Then I never had to look around for the lost button.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
When I actually had a linen closet I stored the sets inside the pillow cases too. My ex husband used to laugh at me and tell me I was way too OCD about things. LOL Now that I don’t have one, I have to store my bed linens in storage tubs with locking handles down in the basement. It’s not ideal, but these old farm houses just don’t have closet space.
Krista says
That’s a GENIUS tip about the sheets – I always feel like our linens end up a massive mess, keeping them all together in the pillowcase has got to be the best tip I’ve heard in a while!
Marya says
Those look delicious!! My kids would love them! And I have to try the nail polish thing!!
Coralie says
These are great tips! Being a parent is rough and anything to help make it easier is worth trying! thanks for sharing. My kids love those snacks too!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
I never knew about putting nail polish on button threads. Such a great tip.
My Inner Chick says
OOO, I love your new name!!
I didn’t know who you were at first, Liz.
Great Post. xx
cat says
Great hacks! Im happy to save time anyway I can. Moms are busy. Thanks for sharing!
XmasDolly says
Oh, Honeymaid to go bites? Never heard of them, but they sound delicious! Well, that’s two things I have to go get at the store. The last blog gave me a tip too and I have to buy that… hahaha Go blog hopping, but make sure you have a pen and paper next to you for your store list. LOL
Jillian Fisher says
I love the button hack! That is the best thing ever! Also I saw those Honey maid snacks in our paper this Sunday and I planned on using the coupon and picking some up! I think my toddler will love these!
sojourner says
Great post. There is definitely no joy in catastropheville. I’m going to use some of those tips.
Debbie L. says
Me too the nail polish to hold on buttons is such a great idea!
Krystal says
Those Honey Maid snacks look so good! I need to try them out!
Lesley says
I like the nail polish on the moving button idea. I could definitely use that.
Julie Green and Keen says
Amazing tips, many thanks for this post 🙂
Kori says
I had no idea about the button thing. That is a really great tip
Debbie L. says
I had never heard of the nail polish on the buttons – I will be giving that a try!
Erin Paine says
Love these! Thanks for the extra tip. Love the button saver!
Franc Ramon says
I think starting an hour before everybody is up gives you a headstart to prepare things up. It also helps that you have ready to eat snacks like Honey Maid Go Bites.
Carla says
It’s great how moms understand each others morning ordeal and these life hacks are so helpful. Thanks for sharing
Hollie says
Okay my linen closet is a mess, I have to try that hack. Who Knew!
Ellen C says
I am definitely trying the clear polish on the buttons. Nothing is more embarrassing then having a button pop in the middle of the day.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I agree – what a brilliant idea and so easy too! I am so doing this!
noelle d says
Seriously?
I have never seen / heard about the nail polish on a button…
That is AMAZING!!!!
I want to get these bites to let Broxton try for lunch
Mama to 5 BLessings says
What a great idea with the clear polish over the buttons! I so am going to have to try this – I am not good at sewing buttons back on – it usually never gets done!
Crystal says
I hate it when they come home and say “mom my project is due tomorrow.” Never mind they’ve known about it for two weeks, lol.
nazma says
I M SINGLE FOR NOW.BUT READING U POSTS IS GOING TO BE REALLY HELPFULL.THNX FOR AMAZING TIPS.
Shaney Vijendranath says
Wow, these are some great hacks! I don’t really have one for daily use but I know that my life would be empty without baby wipes! I use them for everything!!!
rochkirstin says
At a young age, our parents required us to help doing the laundry and also the ironing of clothes. Taking them back to respective closets is also a simple chore that kids can do.
Rena McDaniel says
I absolutely love the fingernail polish and the sheet ideas! I ever would have thought about it but that would make it so much easier. Thanks for sharing this!
Jennifer B says
These are wonderful tips! I agree on how the linen closet looks like an explosion haha! Mine does too!
Michelle F. says
Those are some great ideas. I always pre portion snacks for my daughter like that too.
Pam says
I don’t know why I never knew about putting fingernail polish on buttons. What a great idea and one that I will be using from now on.
Elizabeth O. says
I’m all up for some nifty hacks! I find these really helpful for everyday problems…
heather meads says
Great hacks and I never knew about the button one – thanks!!
Christine says
The nail polish thing is genius! I love the internet, we always learn such cool things! Thanks for the tips!
Theresa says
That nail polish on the button trick is genius! I am off to do that to my coat right now!
Carly says
Such great advice!!!
Yonca says
I love the way you used the clear nail polish! Honey Maid Go Bites sounds realy good! Especially, chocolate one!
Rosey says
These are all good tips. I didn’t know about the polish, and I never thought to do the pillow cases (but I love that idea!). The only thing baffling to me in this post, is eye-rolling teens. I’ve never seen such a thing, hahahhahaaha (except for nine million times a day!! 😉 🙂 ). We like Honey Maid. Little man has to take a snack to school every day. I’ll check these out.
Debra says
That nail polish trick is AMAZING! So cool!
Maggie says
These are all great tips! I am going to start using the sheet one! Genius!
Meagan says
Love the idea of getting up before the kids. This is something I need to work on! I think I could achieve so much more if I had that time in the morning!
Mom @ FamiGami says
those snacks look really good! I love all the suggestions too – I must try that laundry sorting trick!
chelley @ aisforadelaide says
Easy snacks are a must for us! Without them, I think my whole world would collapse!
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
Being a parent can be tough at times! Any life hack is a life hack a parent is grateful for! LOL!
April G says
Clean as you go. I really find that if I clean as I’m doing something, it’s WAY more likely to get done than when I dread it on Saturday. I love these hacks. I do most of them, especially the sorter.
Debi says
I am awful at folding wash. I tend to bring it up from the dryer and forget about it.
Amber Edwards says
I actually do that laundry hack! It is such a life saver! We have laundry bins, 3 different spot per laundry bin. So His, mine and then whites. (Cause husband likes his laundry washed differently than mine so he gets to do it himself) lol. But it is such a help to have it all sorted come laundry day.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These are great life hacks. I have not heard of the nail polish on the buttons before. I will have to try it.
Christie says
I love the nail polish idea! And definitely have a stash of yummy snacks for the kids at all times!
Catherine S says
These are all great ideas. I love to get up early and drink my coffee in peace and quite.
Christi says
LOVE these tips – I had never heard of the one for the buttons before but you better believe I’ll be trying it soon!
Kiwi says
I love HoneyMaid graham crackers!! It so cool to see the brand expand to mini bites I am intereste (no kids I am a big kid)!
brian miller says
that is a neat trick with the nail polish on buttons…i had not heard that one…
hmm…may need to raid my wifes fingernail pin…
we are lucky the kids use the laundry basket…lol
Scott says
We bought laundry sorters for both of our kids. It has made a HUGE difference!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
My little one would love those snacks for on the go – they are just her size! I am so going to try the sheets tip!
Danette Lykins says
Some really great tips here- thanks for sharing!
Shell says
I need to try that with the buttons. I have a 5 compartment closet hanger for each of my kids and we figure out their outfits for the week. That saves a lot of time in the mornings.
Kungphoo says
Those grab n go snacks would definitely come in handy around here.. We are always grabbing and going after the kids get their homework done.
Sarah B says
Such great tips! I also HATE getting up in the morning, so I try to have everything ready and laid out the night before. I saw these Go Bites at the store this weekend and wondered how they were! They look really good!
angela@spinachtiger says
I’m all over the polish on the button thing. THANK YOU! Important for me is having sliced apples in a bag everywhere we go. And, bottled water.
maria @ close to home says
Love the idea of putting the sheets in the pillow case. I hope my kids learn this when in college!!
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
I love that button trick! I’ve never heard of that before!
Jess Weaver says
These hacks are genius! The button trick will come in handy!
Brittany says
Pinning this because these are excellent little tips that I know I’ll be needing to use down the line.
Pam says
They are definitely great tips. So simple too! How have I never thought of some of these?
Jenn says
How have I never heard of the nail polish trick!? I need to do that!
Pam says
I love the idea of keeping all the bedding inside the pillowcase. I will definitely be using that.
Lois Alter Mark says
These are awesome! I’m definitely going to nail polish my buttons. What a great idea!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
I’ve never heard of that nail polish trick before but it’s genius! I’m going to do this!
Maureen @ A Debt Free Stress Free Life says
I like the hack of sorting the laundry as it comes off. I love it…such a good idea.
becca says
Everything is done the night before for whatever the next day brings. Whether its school, band or a day out we get out stuff ready the night before.
Terry says
I have used the nail polish trick many times and it works like a charm.
Nina Say says
I’m not sure parents can survive WITHOUT life hacks. It is one of life’s many difficulties.
Heather says
Oh I wake up an hour before everyone else does too! I’ll never get all my office work done if I don’t. I love some of your ideas here using a sortable laundry basket and putting bedding sets in a pillow case! Genius!
Tammy @ creativekkids says
Love the nail polish hack! Our washer and dryer are downstairs and the kids change upstairs. Right now they throw all the clothes in a hamper in the hallway_- I don’t know if i can have 3 in the hallway, but it’s worth a thought! Ready to go snacks are great!
Andrea Kruse says
I am a planner and since I have young children, I set out clothing the night before, I plan meals ahead of time and organize the kids’ snacks for lunches in tubs for quick grab and go. Being organized always helps.
Sara says
I love these hacks – the only one I can’t get is the get up earlier – for some reason my boys are all programmed to hear me even breathe differently in the morning. They are ready as soon as I open my eyes!
aimee fauci says
When I lived in a one story house, as clothes were taken off they’d immediately go in the washer. I stopped sorting clothes a long time ago.
Jenna Wood says
I really like the nail polish and buttons tip- I’ve always thought there must be a way to prevent all those loose buttons! Those Honey Maid bites look delicious too!
lisa @bitesforbabies says
I’m pretty confident that i have a few parent hacks up my sleeve…but these are great! Always good to get ideas from others!
Ourfamilyworld (@OurFamilyWorld) says
I have hard time keeping sheets together. This is something I need to work on but I agree on folding laundry as soon as possible
Michele says
I do love Graham Crackers and almost picked up a box of those bites the other day–but didn’t. I will be sure to pick them up next time! As for putting clear nail polish on buttons–I am definitely going to start doing that! Kids aren’t the only ones to lose buttons!!
Susan says
I’m always excited to pick up new time saving mom tips. My family has 2 boxes of the Honey Maid Go Bites in our pantry right now They’re a great afternoon snack.
TJ @ Any Given Moment says
ha! My hack is to not even sort the laundry before washing it! No seriously, this was a great list. Thanks 🙂
PS- have I been gone that long? Liking the new look around here!!!
Lorane says
I’m not a parent but these are great tips , especially the one about loose Buttons & the Clear Polish. I’ll be trying that for myself
Jeanine says
Clear coat of Nail Polish on the button! What! Wow I never would have guessed. So many lost buttons will now be saved I love it!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much for this post. I don’t have kids, but I do have three dogs, so saving 9 with a stitch is always good for me!
lisa says
I love the loose button tip! I never remember buttons are loose til they are gone!
tammileetips says
I had never heard about the clear nail polish trick on buttons!! It always seems like a button is being snagged off our shirts
Michelle F. says
Those are some great ideas. I have two separate hampers for darks and whites and it works like a charm. I think my daughter would love those honey maid snacks too.
Athena says
I love the sheet tip. Sheets are such a hassle. Thanks
Megan Elford says
I definitely do the snack hack — I divy up several of our store-bought snacks into reusable containers (or non-reusable if there’s a day trip coming). And laundry — we don’t sort by colours, we sort by person. Everyone has their own laundry basket. One full basket equals one full load. No need to sort afterwards. The kids that are old enough do their own, which saves me even more time 😉
Karen says
I had two girls 15 months apart. I bought a different kind of socks for each one, so I could tell at a glance which girl they belonged to. Made life a lot easier.
Jeannette says
I love the loose buttons hack! I would never have thought of that but it’s such a great idea!
Elizabeth @ Being MVP says
I love the button and nail polish hack! I need to get better at sorting laundry – I just put it all in one load 🙁
Jen says
Sorting laundry. . .yes, I need to practice that one a little better! 🙂
Amanda Love says
I am so going to use that hack with the nail polish. I had no idea that would work. I’m tired of having to resew buttons especially on the kids coats/jackets.
Krystal says
Thank you SO much! A stitch in time saves me 18!
Susan Williams says
The sheets inside the pillowcase! Brilliance!
Kelsey Apley says
I am always losing buttons what a great tip!!!!! I saw those go bites and I totally need to get them cause they look so tasty!!!
Heather says
I love life hacks 🙂 I do the sheets thing!
Nikki @ Tikkido says
The nail polish on button threads tip is genius! I’ve never heard of that, but it makes so much sense.
Carmen Perez (listen2mama) says
Wow, all great tips. I never knew about the nail polish on the buttons! I also love the sheet inside the pillow case idea. I’ll have to start doing this at my house too.
Amy Desrosiers says
I think matching socks when they are both clean and dirty helps keep them together. My kids need all of the above tips!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I love that one about the clear coat on buttons. I am totally trying that.
Travel Blogger says
I also need that bit of time in the morning to myself. It’s a struggle for me to get up that early but the day goes more smoothly.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I always get up before everyone else, too! It’s totally worth it to have that quiet time in the mornings.