Celebrity Parenting Hacks Revealed: Some of These are Just Brilliant – Part II

Celebrity parents do not shy about their parenting qualms, as they have numerous fans and followers, who could learn a thing or two from them. In fact, they are very forthcoming about giving out parenting advice. It’s very reassuring to note that celebs too, have to deal with the questionable joys of parenting. From bedtime routines, bathroom training disasters, and natty tricks that make bathing an enjoyable activity, they’ve had it all, and have some pretty sound advice to share. Of course, their huge bank accounts can afford them a nanny or two, but they like to be hands-on parents whenever they can. Here are a few amazing celebrity parenting hacks you might want to try for yourself.

HILARY DUFF: EXTRA CLOTHES FOR MOMMY

Hilary Duff learned the hard way that parents always have to be prepared for all situations, especially when it involves kids. Her son, Luca, had a problematic diaper incident ages ago but Hilary was prepared with spare clothes for him, but did carry a change for herself, she confessed. That made for an odorous 1.5 hours on that plane. Her poor co-passengers! Luca was good and clean and his mom wasn’t. Since then, she shoves a T-shirt into her carry on bag. The struggle to remain ever-prepared is truly real, but she’s learned this the hard way.

DREW BARRYMORE: MOM’S AWAY CALENDAR

Drew Barrymore helps her kids understand her travel schedule and her ‘away-from-home’ days, whenever she is travelling for work, by using a calendar. She found it difficult to explain to her kids how long she would be gone for until she started using a calendar and a bunch of other hacks. She simply circles those days with a Sharpie, when she is away. As the days went by her kids were asked to draw an X on it and thus, they would know exactly in how many days their mom would return. She also used a map to show them where she was going, so they have developed a greater sense of geography. A great hack for working moms, even those who do not need to travel for work.

TAMERA MOWRY: BEDTIME CONSISTENCY HACK

While it may be a no-brainer, child actress Tamera advocates for setting up a bedtime routine for the tots to ensure an easier night for all. If you want the babies to sleep throughout the night, the major hurdle first is getting them to actually sleep, and then maintaining that routine for consistency even as they grow older. She also recommends investing in a sound soothing machine as kids of all ages can use it. Her children Aden and Ariah did. Sound soothers provided subtle, rhythmic background noises that made them feel at ease and relaxed enough to wall asleep.

MILA KUNIS & ASHTON KUTCHER: ROBO CRIB

For their second child, Mila and Ashton purchased a special crib which would enable Dimitri, their son, to sleep faster. After their daughter, Wyatt, gave them a tough time when it came to sleeping, they felt that a robotic crib, Snoo, would certainly help with their son’s bedtime. Ashton said that for their second kid, they got the robotic bed which basically oscillates with a voice-activated sensor inserted and the louder a child cries, the more it oscillates and rocks the baby back to sleep. It really is incredible and just right for those who can afford it.

MELISSA McCARTHY: EARLYBIRD DATE NIGHT

Actor duo Melissa McCarthy and husband Ben Falcone, with two children together, say that they do an “early bird special” for their date nights, so that they return home just in time to tuck their kids into bed. This is a great idea for anyone not wanting to wake up tired the next morning, because parents have to wake up early to prepare breakfast for everyone, irrespective of the earth-shaking events that happened last night.

MARK ZUCKERBERG: DIAPER CHANGING WOES GONE

This one is just sound common sense and not really a hack, but we have to hand it to Mark Zuckerberg to share this neat trick for the benefit of first time dads. While talking about how quickly he changed his daughter’s diapers, Mark  just slides a new disposable diaper under the used one and he says that it usually takes him 20 seconds to change a diaper. Now, that is fast!