Clever Parenting Hacks That Will Get You Through the Hectic Toddler Years

Waffles, pancakes, and french toast (most things toddlers eat, really) can be cut up for tiny mouths super efficiently by using a pizza cutter.

When you're trying to get out the door, the famous "missing shoe" is always a holdup. And by the time you find said shoe, getting them on your toddler's feet is a whole other ordeal. Help them help themselves by cutting a sticker in half and placing each half into the bottom of each of their shoes so they can see which shoe goes on which foot based on the sticker.

Whether you're heading to school drop-off, going on a road trip, or needing to throw something in your purse for the kids before a shopping trip, pack small snacks into a craft box (or tackle box or jewelry sorter) for them. Kids can open the boxes themselves, they'll be presented with a variety of options, and there should be enough food packed in there to keep them busy and satisfied for a while.

If you're taking your toddler along on errands, pop them into the top of the cart with a cereal necklace to keep them busy and crunching the whole trip. Any cereal with a hole in the middle works!

Prevent a sticky mess caused by dripping popsicles in the hot Summer months with one clever trick: thread cupcake liners up the bottom of the popsicle stick to create a "catcher" that keeps drips in the liner, not on your child!

When your little artist colors way outside of the lines and onto your furniture, grab a tube of toothpaste (go for the traditional white (and cheap!) product instead of the blue/green gels). Squeeze it out all over the lines, let it sit for about five to 10 minutes, and then scrub away with a damp cloth!

Confine craft time to a foil-lined cookie sheet or tray for minimal cleanup. So smart!

Make a little fabric cover to slip over your doorknobs to put an end to their annoying habit of locking themselves in their rooms.

Anything your kid likes (or dislikes) will look more appetizing on a stick! Kids can help you make skewers for their school lunch, or you can whip them up as an easy dinner using their favorite fruits, cheeses, and even turkey or chicken cubes!

When life gets busy, never worry about missing a dose of medicine again. Create a chart right on the bottle with a permanent marker to track when you gave your child their medicine instead of wondering, "Did I already give them their second dose today?"

If you're tired of cleaning up stains in the car, create a spill-free sipper by inserting a crazy straw upside down into your little one's cup. This makes it impossible for kids to pull the straw out and spill juice everywhere while you're driving.

Instead of searching for nonslip slippers, consider Prudent Baby's brilliant solution: use a hot-glue gun to upgrade the adorable pair you already bought for them!

Yes, a child with a huge triangle of watermelon makes for an adorable photo, but what the pictures don't show is watermelon juice covering their faces, shirts, shoes, and more — because a good slice of melon will drip! Mama Say What?! came up with a great way to slice the fruit so little kids can eat it without covering themselves in its sticky sweetness.

Forget about painful attempts with tweezers! Easily remove splinters by combining baking soda with a touch of water, then covering the wound with the mixture and topping it with a bandage. After an hour, you should be able to pop the splinter out easily and without any tears.