Moms are some of the busiest humans on this planet, in addition to being constant problem-solvers. Imagine working a job every day with unpredictable clients in unpredictable situations — otherwise known as real life. Exhibit A: parenting in 2020 and 2021. That's why we wanted to find products that can help make life easier for everyone, but parents especially. They have enough on their plates, after all.
There isn't a magic product that can solve it all, but these affordable items, large and small, will have a huge impact on making life's mundane tasks that much easier to handle. Whether it's something simple, like a rack to hang masks so the kids don't lose them, or something more high tech, like a smart plug to schedule appliances to turn and off, there's at least one thing here that'll free up some time to get other things done. Or maybe, just maybe, some rest.
Mask Hanger
Mask hangers were never a thing we had to think about before the health crisis — at least those of us who don't work as health care professionals. But now we do. They are a helpful way to remember to put on masks on the way out and keep them clean and off of cluttered tables.
ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box
Cleaning the cat's litterbox isn't the worst task in the world, but it certainly would be nice to not have to do it, or not do it as often. That's where Chewy's ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box comes in. It does the hard work that can be used for other things, which will likely involve taking care of another living thing.
Backseat Car Organizer
Moms learn a lot of lessons as their kids age: Lego bricks hurt when stepped on, accidents happen, and a clean car won't last a day when kids ride in it. That said, this seat organizer for the car may keep things a bit tidier.
Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer
Is there anything more annoying than trying to strain pasta, only for some pieces (OK lots of pieces) to accidently fall into the sink? Well, not anymore with this Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer. It attaches to the edge of the pot to keep those rogue pieces from going rogue.
Mini Waffle Maker
Everyone loves waffles! While some folks may have a regular waffle maker, a mini one is super handy. It can travel easily for trips with the kids, but it's an easy way to make the waffles kid-size, or, make them small enough for ice cream waffle sandwiches.
Smart Plugs
These smart plugs are some of the coolest gadgets we've seen. They can be synced to voice-activated smart home controllers, like Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices, to be instructed when to turn the power of whatever is plugged in on or off. They can also be scheduled to turn the item on or off at a specific time.
Easy Electric Poacher
Hard-boiled eggs make for great snacks, and can be used in dishes like egg salad sandwiches and potato salad. It can be a drag to have to take the time to boil them and then wait for them to cool. Not anymore. According to Amazon, this gadget can "cook up to 7 eggs in soft, medium, or hard boiled firmness."
Automatic Pet Feeder
While the automatic litterbox cleaner sounds amazing, there's more automation options when it comes to taking care of our furry friends, like an automatic food dispenser. It can be synced to a smartphone to give our pets their food wherever we may be.
SodaStream
More people are getting SodaStreams and for a good reason: they work. The device creates carbonated water that can be flavored with soda syrup or other flavorings at home. All that's needed is tap water or filtered water.
Portable Cellphone Holder
$35
from
WeatherTech
This cellphone cup stand may look funky, but it is so useful, especially for those moments when the car's GPS doesn't have good directions, or to change the music without being distracted.
3-in-1 UVC Sterilizer & Dryer
If the health crisis has shown us anything, it's that we need to take more care in washing our hands and keeping the items that we touch clean. That's where this 3-in-1 UVC Sterilizer and Dryer comes in. Amazon claims that it "effortlessly eliminate 99.9% of harmful germs in 10 minutes" from the items placed inside the sterilizer.
Key Antimicrobial Door Opener
$15
from
The Grommet
Speaking staying safe during the health crisis and keeping our hands clean, we thought this key-style door opener was the perfect gadget to make that easier. Take it to public restrooms or places with door handles that everyone touches to open them without direct contact.
Portable Pill Box
Pill boxes aren't new. In and of themselves, they make life easier by organizing pills by day to help us remember to take them. But sometimes, they can be too large to take on the go. This travel pill case is perfect for taking meds or vitamins with us.
Desktop Vacuum
No matter if a work desk is at a place of work or at home, that thing can get messy, with or without kids. A desk vacuum may seem dumb, but it will come in handy when it sucks up all of those sad desk snack crumbs that have accumulated there.
Grilled Cheese Toaster
Moms know that easy meals, especially ones that involve kid food staples, are key to surviving motherhood on those super stressful days. This grilled cheese maker simplifies that process even more for a quick grilled cheese sandwich when the kids are hangry.
Laundry Guard
Parents who do more laundry than seems possible are rejoicing everywhere, or at least they will when they see this contraption. It prevents laundry from falling next to or behind the washer and dryer, never to be seen again. It's called the laundry guard and it will make folding and placing items top of the machines a lot less stressful.
Chalkboard Contact Paper Roll
Sometimes, moms need to write notes to their kids, and the chances of those notes being heeded may be greater if it's written in a fun way, like on a chalkboard. This chalkboard contact paper can be stuck to tables, walls or refrigerators! Or, kids can use the paper to help with their homework, which helps moms out, too.
Refrigerator Organizer
In smaller kitchens, it's so hard to keep things organized. And the refrigerator can seem like wasted real estate. With this wall/fridge organizer, that empty space becomes useful storage. Use it to hold paper towels, along with snacks, condiments, or whatever needs to be organized.
'Did You Feed the Dog?' Tracker
For a busy family, it's all too easy to forget to feed the dog, or to feed him twice by accident. To make keeping track of the dog's feeding, this tracker makes it simple and almost foolproof. All the person has to do is move the tab over when the dog has been fed. Genius!
Snail Tea Bag Holder
Because this list needed something cute, we have a snail-shaped tea bag holder. Listen, we're not trying to create world peace here, but any item, no matter how small, that can bring moms joy is one we're all about. Even if it's a tea bag holder to prevent the tag from falling in.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
