Mom asks for the 'craziest' parenting hacks online — and the internet did not disappoint
Being a mother is harder than one can imagine. Especially with younger kids, when the parents have no choice but to face their tantrums and unreasonable expectations, yet ensure they are taught the right values. Taking care of the little ones demands special skills, which only come with experience. So a mom on TikTok, Michaela Estrada (@itsmichaelaest), playfully asked her followers on the social media platform for "craziest mom hacks". No sooner, the comment section of the video turned into a treasure of parenting advice. Social media users came up with numerous clever, funny, and useful tips for parents. Estrada is a mother to two boys, both under four.
The overlay text in the TikTok video reads, "Give me your most unhinged mom hacks. I’m not talking about letting them run around naked and unashamed in the backyard. I need the craziest hacks of the 21st century.” Ideally, to learn such tips, people resort to parenting books or seek advice from their family members. However, sometimes, even after trying their best, parents struggle to raise their kids the way they intend to. In that case, you can go through thousands of parenting advice in the comment section of this TikTok video. It is parenting 101. The video has gathered more than a million views and over 40,000 comments.
One TikTok user, @pinkauraaries, commented, “My mom pulled us out of school individually on different days without telling us when & would surprise us with lunch at Olive Garden & ask us really personal questions to gauge how we were doing.” Another person, who goes by the username @_casmc, wrote, “We play Cinderella, they clean and I yell in a funny voice, they love it and my house gets cleaned. We also play Sleeping Beauty. They have to go lie down with their eyes closed for 10 minutes, 99% of the time they fall asleep.”
A third TikTok user, @nikifulmer, interestingly suggested, “We have pet fish, & I told my kids they are Santa’s secret spies all year long to make sure they are behaving. When they get crazy, I whisper, ‘The fish are watching.’ They love & fear the spy fish.” Similarly, @kyliespelledtherightway chimed in and commented, “We told my son broccoli, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts grow muscles, and we do an arm muscle check after he eats, and he gets so excited that he eats it all. We ooh and ah, and he just giggles.” @rosacox also shared, “She was pitching a tantrum and I stopped abruptly and said, 'Whoa, smell those flowers?' She took a deep breath and stopped her tantrum.”
Meanwhile, it is well known that parenting is a journey defined by love and chaos. It isn't a one-time process; it's a daily practice of teaching, learning, and unlearning. Although there isn't a fixed way of doing this, one must ensure they are consistent in teaching their kids the right values. It is one of the most difficult phases of a parent's life, yet it is rewarding and fulfilling. Healthy and thoughtful parenting is pivotal in shaping your children's future. While everyone wishes to give their child the best life, it is the creative parenting tips, such as the ones above, that make your job as a parent a little bit easier.