A Life Hack for Mom: 10 Uses for the Flashlight
If you think a flashlight is just for blackouts, camping trips and scaring the neighborhood racoons out of the yard, we've got some info you'll be glad to have. See the 10 reasons the flashlight is the one item you never knew you couldn't live without.
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It's not just a tool; it's a parenting tool.
by Veronique Autphenne
Sometimes the simplest things can save a parenting “situation.” It’s about finding new uses for everyday items and finding solutions for common childhood problems, using what we already have creatively and efficiently.
That’s a parenting life hack. The flashlight is a prime example. Invented at the end of the 19th century, it continues to light our way out of some of our darker parenting moments. Here are 10 uses for one of our most essential parenting tools.
Keeping your mellow during middle-of-the-night feedings.
Finding your magazine/e-reader in your sleeping baby’s room.
So you’ve finally gotten the baby to sleep and are ready for a little “me time” with some easy reading. Problem is, you left the e-reader in the baby’s room—again. Your choices are to either stumble around in the dark and risk setting off the booby trap of noisemaking toys surrounding the crib, or turn on the lights and jar your baby awake with harsh light. Both may set you back an hour or so if the baby wakes up—unless you have a flashlight, that is. Then you can sneak in like a cat burglar in the thick of night, avoid the booby traps, and read away.
Scaring away the monsters.
Hotel survival tool.
First sleepover.
Best party favor ever!
Finding comfort.
Getting the winter wiggles out.
Late-night walks.
Capture the flag.
A nighttime game of capture the flag is one of the least expensive and most memorable birthday parties for tweens and teens. It gets them outside (and out of your house), uses up plenty of energy, and is a great alternative to dancing and spin-the-bottle for co-ed parties. Just give everyone a flashlight and send them on their way.
So next time you’re trying to decide whether to buy your friend or sister-in-law a Diaper Genie or a swaddling blanket for her baby shower, do neither. Head instead to your local hardware store and get a flashlight … with plenty of batteries.
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