If you listened to this week’s episode of the Bottle Service Podcast, you know we got an absolutely GOLDEN parenting tip from our guest, Ashley McAtee.
Now, Ashley is one of those moms who takes her kids everywhere, and I am constantly amazed by how well they behave. Restaurants? Chill. Airplanes? Chill. Long outings? Somehow still chill. Most importantly, they’re not causing a scene in public.. . which, if I’m being honest, is not always something I can say about my own children. 😂
Ashley shared her secret: an ever-evolving “bag of tricks.”
The concept is simple but genius. She keeps a stash of toys, activities, and little surprises that are ONLY available when they’re on the go. Not at home. Not on a random Tuesday afternoon. These items are reserved exclusively for restaurants, travel days, road trips, flights, waiting rooms, and other situations where parents are one minor inconvenience away from losing control of the operation.
Inspired by her brilliance (and admittedly a little desperate because I have a five-hour road trip coming up) I decided to create my own Bag of Tricks.
The goal? Novelty. The more “special” and exclusive the activity feels, the longer it holds their attention.
So here are a few things going in MY bag of tricks:
Mini Magnatiles - I don’t know who invented magnatiles, but they deserve every penny.
Water Wow Coloring Book - We love a mess free coloring situation!
Magnetic Blocks - These can be played with a million different ways
PushPeel Sensory Board - I’ve heard these are very fun and calming for kids AND adults
To stay organized, I love these pouches that can be thrown in any bag
I’ll be adding to this list as I go, so for more ideas click HERE!
Will this guarantee a peaceful road trip? Probably not.
Will I still be handing out snacks like a casino dealer by hour three? Almost certainly.
But if this buys me even 20 extra minutes of peace, I consider that a massive parenting win.