IT’S not always possible to park in a child-friendly space when you’re out and about with your little ones.
And the lack of extra room can making getting tots in and out of their car seats a total nightmare because you run the risk of scratching your car or even someone else’s.
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But one savvy mum has found the perfect solution, and it’s something you’ll probably already carry around with you.
Kelly Arvan, who is from Australia, took to TikTok to share her cost-effective hack.
“If you’re ever parked too close to a car next to you, you need this hack in your life,” she said in the clip.
Rather than carefully balance the open car door and hope it doesn’t bash against the car next to her, the mum used a clean nappy to create a soft barrier.
She places it between her car door and the next car, so the door could be fully open, leaving enough space for her to deal with her little ones.
“When I want to get my baby out the car I use a nappy. The door does not scratch the car next to you, and the car next to you does not put paint on yours. Now I can get him out,” she explained.
You could also use a thick sock and get the same result, she noted in the viral video.
But if you have little kids, you might already have a spare nappy to hand, and with the price of a pack of 80 costing around £11 in Tesco, the savvy trick will set you back just 14p – nothing compared to the cost of fixing a dent or scratch.
After sharing the trick on social media other parents were amazed they hadn’t thought of doing the same thing.
“I usually use my hand and my husband gets him but this is less painful,” one mum commented on the post.
A second agreed and said: “That’s so smart, never thought of that.”
“Can you tell everyone in my town this hack please, my car is full of door scratches,” another wrote.
“This is a great hack in general with kids, car park spaces are so tiny these days,” someone else chimed in.
Meanwhile, others thought it would be easier and less risky to park elsewhere.
“Literally just move the car, no need for this,” one wrote.
“Learn to park? Don’t waste a nappy,” another agreed.
More parenting hacks
IF you want to make your life easier as a first-time mum, here’s nine hacks you won’t want to miss.
1. Routine Charts
Create visual charts for daily routines. Use pictures and stickers to make them engaging for younger children.
2. Meal Planning
Plan meals a week in advance to save time and reduce stress. Involve your children in meal prep to teach them cooking skills.
3. Toy Rotation
Keep a portion of toys stored away and rotate them periodically. This keeps playtime fresh and exciting without the need for constant new purchases.
4. DIY Cleaning Solutions
Make child-safe cleaning solutions using vinegar and baking soda. It’s effective and keeps harsh chemicals away from little hands.
5. Time-Out Jar
Create a time-out jar filled with calming activities written on slips of paper. When emotions run high, children can pick an activity to help them settle down.
6. Educational Apps
Utilise educational apps and websites to make screen time productive. Look for ones that offer interactive learning in subjects your child is interested in.
7. Command Centre
Set up a family command centre with a calendar, key hooks, and a bulletin board. It helps keep everyone organised and aware of daily schedules.
8. Emergency Kit
Keep a small emergency kit in the car with essentials like snacks, water, first aid supplies, and a change of clothes. It’s a lifesaver for unexpected situations.
9. Label Everything
Use labels for clothes, school supplies, and lunch boxes. It makes it easier to keep track of belongings, especially in shared spaces like schools.
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