When you have a new baby — before you even leave the hospital — you get all types of warnings about how to keep your new bundle of joy safe in your home environment. But something I hadn’t thought about was how dangerous something like a cup of tea or coffee could be for a little one. The nurses gave me some literature about the number of babies who are burned by their parents’ morning beverage. For that reason, I try to drink hot things when my baby is far away from me.
That is, when I have time to drink it hot. As our kids grow older and demand more and more active attention, actually drinking a cup of that much-needed caffeine-laden brew while it's still hot sometimes feels like an impossibility. We bet there's not a coffee-fueled mama out there who doesn't have to regularly microwave her mug at least a few times a day.
Watching your kids often leaves your coffee going cold.
When they’re infants, you can just put them in the bouncy seat or swing for a few minutes. But when they’re active toddlers, mobile, and occasionally and unexpectedly clingy, that hot beverage can linger on the kitchen counter while you make sure your little one doesn’t jump off the back of the couch.
And it continues once they get older. In the mornings, you're busy serving breakfast, packing up lunch boxes, and searching for lost homework folders. Before you know it, that coffee is freezing cold.
Thankfully, one mom came up with a hack to keep your children occupied and safe while you enjoy your drink.
Kate Bast shares mom hacks on TikTok.
She runs a TikTok account called @thebastfamily where she shares activities for little ones, parenting hacks, and product recommendations you and your kids will love. In one now-viral parenting hack video, she explains how you can occupy your children while you enjoy a little pick-me-up.
Her car parking hack will buy you some time.
Wait, what does parking a car have to do with drinking coffee? Well, it'll keep your kids busy for a while so you can sip your steamy brew.
Bast suggests saving old toilet paper rolls and using colorful tape to adhere them to the floor. Pull out the toy cars you likely already have around the house, and have the kids park their cars in the tubes.
It will keep them occupied for a few minutes and out of your hair while you get the chance to drink coffee in peace, not worrying that you’re going to spill it on them or yourself.
Bast also suggests creating car tunnels.
This is another of the hacks Bast uses. To make a car tunnel, fold the edge of card stock paper, creating an arch, and tape the folded edges on the floor. Then let your kids send their cars flying through the newly created tunnels.
With this one, you’ll likely be long done with your drink and the kids will still be playing with the cars. With all of that caffeine-induced energy, you might be able to get down on the floor with them.
Although these hacks might not work for kids much older than about 7, the point is if you want to have a few uninterrupted minutes to indulge in a hot drink, set your kids up with something age-appropriate to occupy them. Make it a routine, and before you know it, the daily routine of microwaving your coffee again and again will be a thing of the past.
