When it comes to household chores, you’ve got plenty of tasks to go around. More importantly, when kids are required to pitch in and help with age-appropriate chores, they’ll learn how to cooperate, gain a sense of independence and feel a sense of accomplishment. If you’re wondering what exactly to put on your chore chart for kids, we’ve broken it down by age, from toddlers up to tweens. From picking up toys to helping with dinner, here is our ultimate chore list for kids.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Ages 2-3

toddler doing age-appropriate chores
iStock

Pick up the toys. Ask your toddler to help clean up when playtime is over, instead of doing it at the end of the day when you’d rather be watching Netflix instead of cleaning up DUPLO blocks.

Wipe up small spills. This is an easy one and is especially important if they are the ones that made the mess. Don't make a big deal, just let them know they need to clean up after themselves.

Put shoes away. A toddler can easily put his shoes away, especially if there's a special bin or shelf for footwear.

Put dirty clothes in the hamper. Show your little one where clothes go before he chooses his own drop spot.

Match socks. An easy way to let someone else worry about why there's always one sock missing.

Throw away trash. Kids can start putting trash in its proper place at an early age. 

Pick up sticks in the yard. What's more fun than collecting sticks?

Sort the groceries. Preschool-aged kids can help you put away things like cereal, snacks, canned goods, and other things that aren't too heavy or breakable. 

Chore List for Kids Ages 4-5

putting away silverwear should be on a chore list for kids ages 4 to 5
iStock

All of the chores listed above. 

Put away clean utensils. It’s the little things!

Brush their own teeth. This is an easy self-care chore that any preschooler can tackle.

Fold washcloths or napkins. Something small and square is the perfect first item to have your pre-k kid learn how to fold.

Make their own bed. This is a tough one because busy school mornings can get in the way. Weekends are wide open, however, and there’s nothing like a made bed to give your home a clean, fresh feeling.

Collect the mail. This one doesn't even feel like a chore.

Bring their belongings in from the car. Whether it's their toys or backpack, four-and five-year-olds are old enough to make sure everything gets inside at the end of the day. 

 

Related: 11 Reasons Why Chores Make Kids More Successful (According to Studies)

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids Ages 6-7

little boy doing age-appropriate chores
iStock

All of the chores listed above.

Help prep a basic meal. If kids with knives don't sound like a good idea, there are plenty of other things they can do. Think: gather ingredients, measure spices, crack and whisk eggs, grate some cheese, flip pancakes, and more.

Wipe down surfaces. Kids this age are perfectly capable of spraying, wiping, and cleaning down a surface. Especially if they are the ones that made the mess in the first place.

Take control of their school gear. Stop gathering your kids’ stuff every night or morning. These early years are the right time to set up good work habits.

Water the plants. This is a great chore to help develop organizational skills. Have your kid schedule a once-a-week date with a watering can on the calendar.

Help carry in groceries. Unless you're using the multiple trips to and from the car as your cardio for the day.

Set and clear the table. You prepared the meal, so your kids should help to set and clear the plates. Simple as that. 

Put away laundry. Imagine a place where the laundry gets put away instead of collecting dust in a basket somewhere. It can be a reality, we promise!

Feed pets. Your grade-school-aged kid loves the dog, the chickens, and the family turtle. Well, no time like the present to teach him how to take care of something smaller than he is. 

Chore List for Kids Ages 8-10

little boy doing laundry, a good thing to put on a chore list for kids ages 8-10
iStock

All of the chores listed above. 

Basic home maintenance. At around 10, kids can begin to do small tasks around the house that helps with upkeep like putting in new lightbulbs, changing batteries, and hanging small pictures. 

Load and unload the dishwasher. Most days, after unloading, the thing fills right back up and needs to be unloaded again. Your early tween is an ideal candidate for helping out with this daily task.

Help with recycling and garbage. Older kids can sort recyclables, empty wastebaskets, and help pull trash cans in from the road. It’s also a good way for them to learn about consumption and to see where waste goes.  

Vacuum the rugs. The best part about handing off this task is that your kids will have to keep their rooms picked up in order to fulfill their duty.

Dust shelves, blinds, and furniture. A Swiffer duster makes this chore a breeze. 

Clean the mirrors in the bathrooms. Older kids are strong enough, and usually tall enough to reach the top of the mirror by now. Pass the Windex.

Move clothes from the washer to the dryer. Most kids ages eight and up are tall enough (and old enough) to start helping with the laundry. If there are items you don't want in the dryer or if you like to use a certain heat setting, be sure to show the kids the ropes in advance.

Related: Parents Hatch Genius Plot to Catch Their Kids Skipping Chores

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids Ages 10-12

iStock

All of the chores listed above. 

Walk the dog. Take pet care to the next level by asking your tween to take on giving Fido his daily workout. 

Help with grocery shopping. Give your big kid his own list at the store, and arrange to meet up at the checkout. You'll cut your shopping time in half!

Vacuum out the car. She's already tackled vacuuming the living room and her bedroom. Add on the family car once a month or every other week. 

Babysit for siblings or relatives in small increments. Whether it's to take charge at a social or family gathering or leave your tween in charge for 30 minutes while you run a quick errand, this is a good age to test the waters for child care. 

Rake leaves. Before you can mow the grass, the leaves need to be raked. Tweens can handle this, plus it's a great way to keep them outside and off tablets. 

Change their own bedsheets (and keep the bed made). This is a chore that only takes a few minutes, but it's a game changer when it comes to feeling like you're on top of the mess. 

 

Considering a major purchase? Check out these savings on LG Appliances

Fall is (almost) officially here, and if you’re anything like us, you’re already planning everything for the -ber months. Halloween, holidays, travel, hosting—most of that happens right around this time. There’s a good chance you’re also looking around your house, knocking out small repairs, sprucing up here and there, and making sure you’re covered for all the upcoming celebrations and events. That includes hoping (and possibly praying) that our appliances and tools keep up with the overtime we’re going to ask them to put in this season. Believe it or not, though, this is the perfect time to upgrade your home. You don’t want to be caught with a non-working dryer or a vacuum that doesn’t take care of your crubs (there’s a lot of eating around this time, too, right?). Enter these sweet deals on LG Appliances.

We’ve searched high and low for great deals on laundry and cleaning savings, and LG Appliances are really delivering here (pardon the pun). In fact, we’ve pulled together some of the best options they’re offering right now. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re snapping these up sooner rather than later. These deals won’t last, and the most wonderful/busiest time of the year is right around the corner.

LG CordZero All in One Cordless Stick Vacuum

LG Electronics

This LG stick vacuum automatically empties the dust bin when docked to keep collected debris out of your home, out of the air, and off of your hands. Because ew. The filters are easy to remove and wash, plus you can use this beauty on your hard floors, too! See ya, dried leaves, crubs, pine needles, and whatever else your family throws at it. 

LG CordZero All in One Cordless Stick Vacuum ($899.00 $799.00)—Buy Here!

Mega Capacity Smart Front Load Washer

LG Electronics

Wash big loads in under 30 minutes? Sign us up. Thanks to the Turbo Wash feature on this LG washer, you can make it happen. Built-in sensors use AI technology to detect fabric texture, soil level, and load size, then automatically select the right wash motions, temperatures and more, so there's no more guessing. ezDispense auto dispenses detergent & fabric softener—fill the reservoir once for up to 18 cycles. And, with Smart Pairing, the washer can even tell the dryer to select a compatible drying cycle, making it the ultimate laundry hack.

LG Mega Capacity Smart Front Load Washer ($1,499.00 $1,199.00)—Buy Here!

LG Ultra Large Capacity Smart Front Load Dryer

LG Electronics

LG's Smart Front Load Dryer has a modern flat front design, black steel finish and tinted, tempered glass doors, so it's even easy on the eyes. The intuitive digital dial control gives you descriptions of each setting, helpful prompts, status updates, and remaining cycle time. It even has.a TurboSteam setting that refreshes clothes instantly. 

LG Ultra Large Capacity Smart Front Load Dryer ($1,499.00 1,199.00)—Buy Here!

LG SideKick Pedestal Washer

LG Electronics

This is one of our faves—it's a major level of brilliance. Wash two loads at one time when you add the SideKick Pedestal Washer to your set. For small loads that can't wait, intimates that don't take up much space, or handwash-only pieces that can't be washed with regular clothes, the SideKick can be used at the same time as your washing machine. It comes in 3 colors, too, to match your whole set.

LG SideKick Pedestal Washer ($779.00 $699.00)—Buy Here!

LG Pedestal Storage Drawer

LG Electronics

This is a next-level storage solution. A drawer build right into the appliance pedestal takes care of storing dryer sheets, detergent, and supplies. It comes in 3 colors to coordinate your set.

LG Pedestal Storage Drawer ($299.00)—Buy Here!

You can check out LG Electronic’s full line of washers and dryers, plus their vacuum collection, to find the perfect addition to your home. You’re due for an upgrade.

 

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who enjoys laundry, but that doesn’t mean your laundry room has to look like a mess. Inspired by a few genius Dollar Tree laundry room hacks, we set out to find the best laundry room storage ideas the world has to offer. So whether your washer and dryer are in a closet, the garage, the basement, or conveniently located near your bedrooms, these clever laundry room decor ideas provide loads of storage solutions, will help you get and stay organized, and may even become your favorite room makeover, ever.

Best Laundry Room Hack: Platform Storage

best laundry design hacks
House of Turquoise

Perhaps one of our favorite design solutions, this DIY platform not only raises the laundry units so you can load them up easier without bending over and straining your back, but two clever built-in drawers provide additional storage space for surplus supplies like dryer sheets, extra rags or even a spot to hide all that found change from your family's pockets. Head over to House of Turquoise for details. 

Best Laundry Room Hacks: Make It Pretty

best laundry hacks
Sam Kachmar Architects

Who says a laundry room needs to be white and boring? Sometimes a laundry room makeover needs just a wow factor like this pattern play. Treat your small space with some designer TLC with bold, graphic wallpaper.

 

Best Laundry Room Hack: Stacked Machines

You might have all the laundry room ideas in the world, but if your vision doesn’t fit into your space, you’re going to have to compromise. A good way to maximize space is to go for a stacked washer and dryer combo. That way, you’ll still have room for that gorgeous farmhouse sink and built-in mud bench you’ve been dreaming about.

Best Laundry Room Hack: Maximize Awkward Spaces

best laundry room hacks
Hutchinson House

Just because laundry rooms are often awkward spaces that get overwhelmed by the (much-needed) appliances, doesn't mean you can't maximize the space. These shelves, hung perpendicularly to the machines, provide ample storage and take advantage of what would otherwise be a waste of space. 

Adding knobs and hooks with a slim profile provides additional storage without eating into the space and making it feel more cramped. See more of this over at Hutchinson House

Best Laundry Room Hack: Use Sliding Barn Doors

Geoff Chick

Whether you have a nook or a closet for a laundry room, lose the cheap, contractor-grade doors, and save precious floor space (and hide the units while you're at it) with mounted barn doors that slide open and close with little to no effort. No one will suspect such industrial workhorses are hiding behind such an architecturally interesting design.

Barn door hardware can easily be found online or at Home Depot. To determine if this installation will work for you, make sure there is ample wall space on one or both sides for the doors—so the barn doors can slide fully open—whether you have a set of doors that open in the middle of a single door, like the one pictured above from Geoff Chick

Related: 17 Storage Hacks Every Parent Needs

Best Laundry Room Hack: Maximize Wall Space

best laundry room decor ideas
Sincerely Sara D.

Pegboards are fantastic organizing solutions for tools and desks, but they also make for great laundry room organization as well, like Sincerely Sara D shows above. You can use a single board or kit-out the entire wall in pegboard, which provides a wall of organizational and storage solutions that can change and grow to meet your needs.

Don't forget to paint the board the same color as your wall—it'll help the board to blend into the space, making it feel more cohesive and intentional.

Best Laundry Room Hack: Create a Folding Station

best laundry room decor idea
Vintage Revivals

Once you experience a handy folding station in the laundry room, you'll never want to unload the dryer and carry your laundry somewhere else to fold and sort. If you don't have the space for a stand-alone table, take advantage of the space right above the laundry units by installing your very own DIY table. This version from Vintage Revivals went one step further with its design-driven waterfall edge by attaching a tabletop to the wall; being supported by two legs would work just as well.

Don't have space right above the washer and dryer for a folding station? You can install a table that latches to the wall and folds down when you need it, tucking away neatly when you don't.

Best Laundry Room Hack: Install a Smart Shelf

best laundry room decor ideas
The Definery Co

That space behind the washer and dryer? It's just begging for a custom-shelf. This beauty provides ample storage for supplies you regularly use, freeing up space in the cabinets above for those items that you only need to access occasionally. And the best part? It only costs $12 to build. 

If you measure the space and find that the measurements don't line up with off-the-shelf lumber, just pull the units out a few more inches to save yourself from making custom cuts. The Definery Co. shows you how it's done. 

Best Laundry Room Hack: Take Advantage of Ceiling Space

George & Willy

Drying racks typically take up a lot of floor space, but this design takes advantage of that unused space found all over your ceiling. This rack we spotted over at George & Willy can be raised and lowered with a pulley system, keeping that air-dry only laundry up and out of the way. But the best part? Discovering there is an unexpected advantage to drying your clothes at such great heights—heat rises so your clothes will get the additional drying help thanks to the nature of science. How cool is that?

Best Laundry Room Hack: Hang Clothing Rods

best laundry room hacks
Seth Smoot via House Beautiful

In the scope of doing laundry, not much is more annoying than washing and drying button-downs and blouses just to have them end up in a wrinkled mess. This hanging rod takes advantage of the space between two cabinets and is installed close to the laundry unit, which means that you'll have hangers handy for when those precious shirts come out of the dryer. You may even be able to say goodbye to the dry cleaner, saving you more time and money in the long run. See more over at House Beautiful

Best Laundry Room Hack: Install Ready-to-Assemble Storage

Young House Love

One of the easiest, smartest, and cheapest solutions for an instantly better-looking, functioning laundry room is an off-the-shelf cabinet procured from your favorite big box stores like IKEA or Home Depot. Simply measure the space and find the unit that fits within it. You can dress it up with moldings and the like to make it appear more built-in but it doesn't need to have those fancy details. Add a shelf above the laundry machines for easy access to laundry detergent and dryer sheets. 

 

 

Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean life stops. There are errands to be run, people to see and iced coffees to be ordered. We all know parents of babies and toddlers can use a little help on the regular and that’s exactly why we love the Tayla™ XP Travel System by Maxi-Cosi. This stroller and award-winning car seat super-duo are innovative to the max, offering versatility and flexibility when you’re on the move. Why did Maxi-Cosi design this system? To give parents the extra hand they so desperately need. (Bonus: It also looks really cool.) Read on to learn four reasons why this stroller system is everything you need and a few things you didn’t know existed (but will be so happy they do).

Learn more about the Tayla™ XP Travel System by Maxi-Cosi!

1. Seating Options Galore

Give your baby one less reason to be fussy, with a multitude of seating options for every mood. The Tayla™ XP Travel System stroller is equipped with a modular seat so your baby can face you or the world ahead. Customize their comfort as you stroll: Sit upright or recline to one of the four positions no matter which way you're facing. It also features a plush seat cushion plus an adjustable leg rest. For an extra-cozy ride, the seat cushion is reversible and features a breathable mesh for warmer days and a cozy knit for cooler days—genius!

2. Naptime Is Covered, Thanks to This Cozy & Comfy Ride

Who doesn't love to snooze in the shade? The fully extendable canopy features their 360° MaxShade mesh privacy shade. It covers the entire seat for maximum relaxation vibes and zips away to store neatly when not in use.

Not only will your little one be cool as a cucumber under their privacy shade, but they'll also be as comfortable as possible with PureCosi™ fabric that's free of wool or added fire retardant treatments that can irritate delicate skin. Wondering what they're up to in that snuggly cocoon? There's even a peek-a-boo window so you can keep an eye on your sleeping beauty. The all-wheel suspension and SmoothRide tire technology keep those bumps in the road at a minimum as to not wake them, either. And, the extra-large basket has all the room you need for the essentials, which if you have a baby, you know is a pretty big list! 

Learn more about the Tayla™ XP Travel System by Maxi-Cosi!

3. Game-Changing Infant Car Seat Gives You an Extra Hand

The included Coral XP is just like any other car seat, except, well, it’s not. From the car seat, you can pull out the lightweight carrier (5 lbs!), throw its cross-body flex-strap over your shoulder (first of its kind!), and walk around with grace and even, style. Keep baby close while your hands reach for the things you need, like that iced latte.

This is almost too easy—what is this sorcery?! Not magic—its revolutionary lightweight inner carrier can be easily removed from the car seat’s outer carrier shell with the push of a button! Just grab the padded retractable side handles and you're off. With four modes of carrying, you can move how you want to move (which is effortlessly, of course). Ready to head home? The Coral XP's unique 3-part modular nesting system allows you to clip the inner carrier back into the car seat or stroller and get back on your way, safely and without all the hassle. (You won't miss it, trust us.)

Learn more about the Tayla™ XP Travel System by Maxi-Cosi!

4. Easy to Install (& Clean)

Installing a car seat should not be a guessing game, for their safety and your sanity. Maxi-Cosi gets it, and created an adjustable base for the Coral XP, featuring a self-retracting MaxiLock™ LATCH technology for a quick, secure installation with visual red-to-green tightness indicators to confirm correct base installation. Now you don't have to worry if you got it right because you know without a doubt and every time that indeed, you did—woohoo!

Babies are messy. This is why it is so important to be able to clean up all that milk, spit-up and other baby goo as earlier as possible. Once again, Maxi-Cosi has our backs, making cleaning is a breeze since the materials are both washer and dryer safe. (We cannot thank you enough for this, we really can't.)

Learn more about the Tayla™ XP Travel System!

Seven years ago today was one of the most grateful times of my life. We watched videos, signed paperwork, handed over a feeding tube, and loaded up our Jeep and life began. I remember getting on the elevator and the admitting neonatologist got on with us. He proceeded to congratulate us on getting to go home, he wished us luck and then told us that in all his years of practicing he’s never seen such an “on his own terms kid.” 

Jeremy and I awkwardly laughed. Little did we know he was right. Whitman has his own story to tell. We’re grateful we get a front-row seat and to be apart of it! He makes us laugh so hard and makes us so proud on the daily. We don’t take this anniversary lightly we know what was at stake. We know how close we were to having a different kind of anniversary when just two weeks before, when Whitman was born, he was not breathing and had no pulse.

So we celebrate this with a light kind of heaviness. Whitman is our miracle. We’ve been told that from the start and he proves it to us on the daily. We celebrate the littlest of victories like getting to come home from the NICU. We celebrate that we never had to go back for RSV or any other complications that could have arisen. We celebrate that he is ours always and forever. That we were able to walk out with our tiny miracle. We were able to snuggle him on our own couch, we were able to love on him in his nursery. We were able to move on from the NICU.

I still have PTSD from our NICU days. When Whit was admitted to the hospital in 2019, I held my breath in the children’s hospital elevator. I saw the parents with that exhausted “I just had a baby it shouldn’t be like that look.” I contemplated hugging them and telling them it gets better. You’ll hopefully get to go home. You’ll hopefully get to show your baby the world when they are ready. We weren’t ready for three months. We had to pick and choose who we saw. We had our own little kind of quarantine bubble. Jeremy and I had clothes in our laundry room. We called it ground zero. If we left for any reason we picked clothes that were in ground zero wore them out came home and immediately put them in the washer and put on our at-home clothes after rinsing off.

We would have done anything to keep Whitman from the NICU. We’d been there. That wasn’t a journey we’d ever want to do again. It made us who we are as parents but watching your child struggle is not the way you imagine you starting your parenting journey. So we celebrate. We celebrate that we survived. We celebrate that we were a NICU success story. We celebrate everything that Whitman has become in these seven years, on his terms naturally.

He’s just the best. He’s so smart, sweet, and has the best sense of humor. Today is the day we celebrate everything that we have. The gratefulness behind it. We have never and will never take anything for granted when it comes to Whitman. Whitman John, you are an amazing human who deserves nothing but the best. Happy Coming Home Day! You worked so hard to come with us and continue to work so hard every day to be a part of our world. You deserve every happiness.

 

Lindsey is a mom, wife, and blogger at The Althaus Life. She lives in Ohio with her husband and 2 children. Lindsey is grateful all things and to be able to chronicle her beautifully broken laugh til you cry cry until you laugh life.

Dear Laundry,

Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for always being there for me. I just can’t quit you, no matter how hard I try.

I’m sorry I get mad at you sometimes it’s just…I need space, you know? Even when I go away for a day or two, I can always count on you, waiting patiently, for my attention. You don’t mind chilling all clean in a basket while I pretend you don’t exist. You don’t mind when I leave you in the dryer and forget about you until I wash some of your friends. Heck even when you’re overflowing in the hamper, you don’t get mad me. You just wait until I’m ready, which is true compassion. Clean, dirty, left in the washer so I have to wash you again…you just stay. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. For the rest of my life until I die. Dang, Laundry. That’s some real devotion there.

You don’t happen to know Dinner, do you? She’s not quite as…zen as you are, Laundry. She’s a little more demanding and pretty possessive actually. Between you and me, Dinner can be kind of be a b*tch. But I still gotta chill with Dinner, even when she’s being a total b. She’s not like you, Laundry. She can’t be left alone, not even for one day. Very needy. And a total diva to boot.

She constantly needs to be coddled with options and demands I shop for her at least once a week and then half the time she just lets herself go to waste because God forbid she hang out with Leftovers while I take a night off to see Bookclub. But do you think Dinner cares about my needs? No. In fact, lately, all Dinner does is get upset that it’s Chicken. Again. As if Chicken is going to be her ruination. As if Chicken is some sort of gateway to Liver.

Well, guess what? I’m done being ashamed of Chicken. Chicken gets me. Chicken is low maintenance. Chicken is adaptable to my needs and if Dinner is going to demand nightly visitation and weekly shopping, I’m bringing Chicken whenever I want, however, I want. Dinner even expects me to be perfectly punctual each night and if I dare be a little early or a little late, there’s no compassion. There’s no understanding. There’s just interrogation. Where here have you been? What have you been doing? Who were you with? I mean she literally doesn’t do crap all day except sit around and wait for me then conveniently forgets that I’m also dealing with Breakfast. And Lunch. And Snacks. Snacks alone thinks he might die if we don’t hang out seven times a day but at least he only needs a minute of my time. At least he’s not sucking the soul out of my life.

I’m beginning to think that Dinner and I might need a trial separation.

But don’t worry Laundry. I could never abandon you like that. I don’t need Dinner the way I need you because frankly…I’ve got Popcorn. But without you, Laundry, I have nothing. I know it might not always feel like it, but…I see you. I support you. And always remember—I will get to you. Eventually.

I’ll check in with you later. I gotta go see what’s up with Dishwasher. He’s so full of it.

Stay folded.

Love,

Me

 

Emily is a sometime writer, all the time mom, who constantly wonders how it is she became completely superior at loading the dishwasher. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her two budding teenagers who provide daily inspirational quotes such as: I'm hungry! and Close the door! She loves them a whole lot anyway. 

Photo: istock

Constant multi-tasking. Overflowing schedule. Running errands. Prepping meals. Cooking Meals. Taking care of the kids. Long days. Long nights. Being a working mom has never been easy. And COVID threw a giant monkey wrench into our carefully cultivated routines. Now, everyone’s home—all the time—and somehow we’re still supposed to keep this operation running like before?

Working moms, listen up! I know we’ve all developed our systems and routines to fit our lifestyles, and are very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve with them. But we are in uncharted waters now. We can’t keep trying to manage things the way we did before.

And change is upon us again as some states start to open up with restrictions, and we will probably experience change once again in the coming months.

But never fear! There are ways to thrive in these turbulent times if you’re willing to make trade-offs. Here are four key steps that will help you manage the increased stress and responsibilities resulting from COVID:

1. Say No. Alright, let’s start with the hardest one. You’re going to have to say no to some things. I know, I know. As a working mom, it often feels like the world is expecting you to hold it up on your shoulders, and any utterance of the word “no” will cause it to collapse on top of you. This is fiction! The reality is that adapting to the changes taking place is not all on you, and you’re allowed to say no. In fact, I’m requiring it. You have to say no to things that de-energize you, even if they didn’t before the pandemic. For example, if you enjoyed, or at least didn’t mind, doing the dishes after dinner but now the activity leaves you drained, don’t do it!

Now, this doesn’t mean to just let those things drop (although I have seriously considered switching to paper plates). Bring in the family and divide up the household chores. Maybe you cook dinner but your son/daughter loads the dishwasher after. Or you can put the laundry into the washer and dryer, but your partner can fold and put away the clothes once they’re done. If you have younger kids, here are some age-appropriate chores so you won’t have to re-do the dishes after your five-year-old does them.

2. Ask for Help. This is a very crucial point and it ties into the previous point. If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: asking for help is okay. It took me a while, and quite a few meltdowns, to learn this lesson, but admitting when you need assistance and reaching out is not a sign of weakness or defeat. No one is making it through this alone. Start by asking for and offering support in your own home. Then once you have a good system there, reach out to ask and offer help in your community and neighborhood, and, finally, at your workplace. The only way we get through this is together.

For me, one of the ways I ask for help is after I get home from grocery shopping (mask and all), one of my daughters or my husband helps me unload the car and put everything away. It’s a small task but not having to do all that alone, or at all, gives me a little breathing room and support.

3. Do Not Wait for Burnout. Just because the world has gone crazy, doesn’t mean we get to ignore our mental health. Not only is burnout still around, but it is going to sneak up on your like never before if you’re not careful. Before COVID, I was the type of person who had no problems focusing and could sit down and work for hours on hours without needing a break. In the past few months, I find myself often staring out the window, my mind a hazy blank. There’s just so much going on that it’s overwhelming us mentally, whether we consciously realize it or not. So, make sure you are taking time to relax and practicing some de-stress exercises.

4. Split up Roles and Responsibilities at Work. Task sharing doesn’t stop at home, although it is a little trickier at work. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done! Splitting up your responsibility at work can seem really scary because we want to seem in control and completely fine at work. So, how can we tell a co-worker or boss, “Actually, could you or someone else handle this?” First, you have to remember that if you overwhelm yourself with tasks just for the sake of having a lot of tasks, your performance will suffer. We’ve got more on our plate than usual outside of work so adding to it is just going to make it overflow. If you know a specific task at work is not your forte, see if a colleague who enjoys this type of work is willing to take it on, or trade the task for something you love. Splitting up tasks like this sets you and your team up for long-term success.

Dana Look-Arimoto is a mom of two daughters, four dogs, and the founder and CEO of the leadership and executive coaching company, Phoenix5th. As an international speaker, author of Stop Settling, Settle Smart, and the host of “Settle Smarter” podcast, Dana is working to help people everywhere achieve work-life integration.

Photo: Made by Fressko

Moms will be ready to travel with kids in tow or travel solo in style with these must-haves to get you from take-off to smooth landing.

1. Cori Traveller knows that moms on the move already have their hands full, trying to keep an eye on their kiddos in busy airports, watching over everyone’s luggage, and being sure everyone’s documents are in order. That’s why these fully adjustable neck pillows come with a handy loop for attaching to carabiners or straps, ensuring you never lose the pillow and giving moms the most comfortable rest they can get while trying to sleep sitting up on a plane or in a car. 

2. Traveling is fun but is dehydrating. These Made by Fressko tea and fruit-infused water bottles are sleek, stylish and sustainable and give mom a helping hand to reach her daily water intake. Each comes with a removable infuser that is perfect for hot or cold tea or creating delicious infused water. 

3. Solve the earbud tangle drama moms know too well with Lasso. This smart product is easy to use, accommodates earbuds, charger cords, necklaces and, as a bonus, Lasso can be used to store rings and small earrings inside the barrel. Lasso easily fits inside purses and travel bags, is shatterproof, and BPA-free. 

4. Winter wear usually means hot and sweaty but not anymore. Stay chic and sweat-free with these clever Thompson Tees. These undershirts have patented, sweatproof technology, have no chemical treatments, and are machine washer and dryer safe.

5. Moms are often expected to have the fix to everything at their fingertips—and that’s never truer than when the family is on a trip. With the Geekey, it’s now literally possible. It’s 16 tools in one but still barely bigger than a house key. 

6. Are your kicks looking a little dingy, or are your once white soles now gray? SneakERASERS’ pre-moistened sponges are designed for on-the-go touch-ups. Now you can quickly and easily remove those impossible scuff marks, grime, and smudges from soles and rubber logos without the need for messy applicators, brushes or sprays. SneakERASERS’ unique composition of sponge and shammy is created with an all-natural cleaning formula. The white side of the sponge works great on smooth uppers and logos, while the orange shammy side wipes away residue and gives you an excellent grip. SneakERASERS come in small, individually wrapped packaging that will fit in even the smallest travel bag. 

7. Keep your lips moisturized and refreshed with lip balm from FOUR: Organics. They use a special blend of four 100% organic ingredients, Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Peppermint Oil help you pamper your lips. 

8. Sleeping while traveling is hard but that doesn’t mean you have to look like you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. With the Celestial Silk pillowcase you can say goodbye to creases on your face and any sort of plane/train/car bed head. 
 

Allyson is a mom of two and has more than a decade of experience working in both television news and public relations. From national television shows to top newspapers, Allyson has worked around the world including a travel magazine in London, England, Phoenix TV and local hospital and healthcare association.

There are certain moments as a parent when it literally feels like the entire universe has it in for you. No matter how bad your worst mom days are, however, it could always be worse as one mom’s hilarious viral Facebook post about poop on a slide illustrates.

Mom, Brittany Nichole Berry, took to Facebook to share her epic mom fail and let’s just say after reading this you’ll never leave the house without a full stock of baby wipes ever again. Berry’s post begins with an ominous warning, “I’ve debated on sharing this, just because it’s so embarrassing and I failed as a mother on so many different levels. But….. I think it needs to be said, if only to serve as birth control for the younger generation. Fair warning…. TMI AND POOP!”

As Berry explains she and her daughters were on an impromptu visit to the park when disaster struck. “At one point Sadie goes down the slide and then walks in front of me and I see ‘wet’ shorts. I think, ‘okay she’s peed out of her diaper, no big deal,'”Berry writes. “Then I start to change her and I realize it’s a poop-trophe.”

Every parent has experienced a “poop-trophe” moment at some point, what really set this one apart is what happened after she discovered she only had four wipes. “I start cleaning her up and there’s only FOUR wipes. This isn’t a four wipe kind of poop it’s pressure washer or open fire hydrant kind of poop. So I start looking for more wipes in the van. At this point, Sadie’s just standing there naked in an empty (thank God) the parking lot, with poop up her back in her hair, down her legs to her knees, even on her shoes, because taking her clothes off did not go as smoothly as one would hope,” she writes.

And then things really kick into fourth gear. “I turn my back, frantically searching for more wipes. Nothing. I had just cleaned out the van yesterday. I got out any and all extraneous wipes, clothes, everything. I KNOW there’s no other wipes in there, but I search anyway. Then I hear it…. that painful SQQQUUUEEEAAAKKKKK of skin getting stuck to a plastic slide on the way down. I look up and yes, of course, it’s Sadie. She’s going down the slide, butt naked, COVERED in poop, leaving a long skid mark of poop allllllll the way down on her way.”

The only saving grace is that the park has remained empty this entire time. Berry decides the only thing she can do is wrap her daughter in a blanket, buckle her and head home, but she doesn’t feel good about leaving behind a poop-streaked slide so she rushes the five-minute drive home to grab some Clorox wipes. She returns and parks the car with the kids inside and AC running and is thankful that the park is still empty.

“I get the brilliant idea to go down the slide and wipe as I go. Instead of risking a head injury I decide to go down feet first, on my stomach, holding on to the side to slow myself down with one hand and wiping with the other. This was not easy. I did not look elegant or attractive, I’m sure. I’m 254lbs of sweaty fat flopping around this children’s slide like a fish out of water,” she writes. “When I get to the bottom, I’m finally satisfied with my cleaning job. I turn and see a car parked, a family, all of them with glaring at me…. I dunno how long they were there. I never heard them pull up. They never got out of the car. I genuinely think that we’re afraid of me, after all, I was an overweight seemingly childless adult, on children’s playground equipment.”

Finally she looks down only to discover that her shirt is covered in poop. “Of course, I went down feet first. My clothes got the bulk of the poop. ” She continues, “I am NOT getting that on my seat belt. I am not getting a ticket or dying from not wearing a seat belt, no matter how short the drive. So,….. I do the only thing I can think to do….. I drive home in my bra. That family is scarred for life I’m sure…”

And that is by far the funniest poop-trophe story of all time.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of Brittany Nichole Berry

 

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From the newborn days to toddlerhood, there is one thing that remains constant in the ever-changing landscape of parenthood: diaper changes are no fun. Parents have come up with some unique ways to avoid changing diapers according to a new survey.

The survey of 1,000 American parents conducted by baby product company Munchkin showed that one third of parents said they had faked taking a nap in order to avoid the dreaded diaper change and one in four parents had faked an errand to get out of diaper duty.

All those diaper changes at home are exhausting enough, but the real stink stress hits when the inevitable blow out happens when you’re out and about. According to the Munchkin survey, 94 percent of parents have been forced to change a diaper in the car, two out of three parents admitted to changing babies in a store dressing room and 14 percent have even changed a diaper in their stadium seat at a sports game.

Changing diapers on the go can sometimes get a little messy and 44 percent of parents said they have resorted to using a power washer to get smells out of car seats and strollers.

Munchkin has come up with solution to the problem of on-the-go stink with a brand new product, Toss Disposable Diaper Pails. The Toss is designed to trap the stink for easy transportation until you can reach a suitable place to throw away those stinky diapers. “Diaper changes happen outside the nursery more than ever, and parents need a reliable disposal option that has their back whether they’re around the house or on-the-go,” said Steven Dunn, Munchkin CEO and Founder. “Toss not only keeps smells at bay, but is also a practical, portable solution for the stinky and unpredictable situations that come up throughout the baby care journey.”

The new Toss Disposable Diaper Pail is now available at retailers nationwide including Target and Amazon.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Munchkin

 

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