These products will help you make life with a toddler easier. A quick search about having a toddler will come up with comparisons of being in prison or a dysfunctional relationship. Although I prefer to focus on the best things about having a toddler, it is no surprise that parents of toddlers can use a little help.
*FTC disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links. All opinions remain my own
Here are the products you need to make toddler life a bit easier:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
So 1 and 2 are potties, but they each serve different purposes. Right now we use 1 as a toilet seat on our regular toilet (it bends flat), but it is also used in travel situations as needed (like vacations, long car rides, etc.). 2 is used full time in the bathroom. We actually have the Summer Infant Lil’ Loo (which is cheaper), but for some reason seems to have been discontinued. It it hadn’t been an option, 2 would have been my choice as friends have recommended it. I’m all for less pieces (less to clean!) and a streamlined design.
Toddler-proofing can be really frustrating. Install is about as easy as it can get with 3 but I still used these in minimal places. In the kitchen I used these on our junk drawer and on the cabinets underneath the kitchen sink (which houses all our cleaning supplies. I also used these on the cabinets in both bathrooms. That’s it. I hate being locked out of my own stuff. I use a metal nail stud in both the kitchen and bathroom as the place where I keep the unlocking key (it’s magnetic!).
4 – Car seats can be pretty personal, I needed a seat that can fit rear facing in a really small car (Honda Fit!) . This was among the cheaper options that had good user and safety ratings. Pro tip: Keep an eye on pricing for different color options. I managed to get mine for about $80 cheaper by purchasing a close out color!
5 – This should actually be on my must have baby items that’ll last until toddler years post because we’ve used this since our little started on solid foods. I love that it is easy to clean. In fact, I have put this entire seat in our dishwasher!
6 – I couldn’t find simple metal silverware for children cheaper any where else than Ikea. This isn’t there children’s set (which were bigger in size, strangely enough. Their Dragon dessert/salad forks, and Dragon coffee/tea spoons have been perfect. Our two year old seemed excited to use “big kid” silverware.
7 – These knit doorcovers from Etsy are the best! If you know a knitters, they can probably make these for you. Those “other” doorknob protectors (of which I will not name) don’t even come close in awesomeness.
8 – This stool is used both to get on the big potty and to brush teeth. It is lightweight and my toddler can easily move it without scuffing the floor.
9 – We have a sliding patio door and this is perfect. Easy to install and use! It can also be used on windows or sliding bathroom shower doors.
10 – So we actually made our own learning tower and other easy Ikea hacks are out there. If you aren’t into DIY, you can always buy your own kitchen helper. Most of the time our toddler is using this to play in the sink, but it often occupies for the entire time it takes me to make dinners, so it’s worth it.
What Didn’t Make The List: We contemplated adding our baby gates. We have this gate at the top of the stairs and this one at the bottom. But honestly, we’ve stubbed our toe with the bottom gate too many times. I wish we had purchased two of the top stair gate.
We all have our own sanity saving tips, so what is making your life with a toddler easier. Seriously, we need to know. Share now!