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2nd Annual Exhausted Parents Survival Kit *GIVEAWAY*

Heather van Mil90 comments21176 views
Exhausted Parents Survival Guide

I’m so excited to be bringing back the 2nd Annual Exhausted Parents Survival Kit Giveaway! In true exhausted mom style, allow me to refresh your memory – word for word – on the origins of the 1st Exhausted Parents Survival Kit (minus a few edits now that my kids are a year older).

Let me set the scene for you. It was 5 am and my toddler was up for the day. This isn’t unusual, but when added on top of 2 nights of her not sleeping much at all, baking and decorating 48 elaborate cupcakes for my older daughter’s class party, mad holiday prep and regular workload, this mama was at her wit’s end. It was all I could do to keep my eyes open and the coffee to my lips; the thought of entertaining a very active, danger magnet was more than I could fathom at the time.

Luckily (or unluckily) for me, I have had lots of practice keeping my kids alive and fairly happy with little to no movement. Between 2 horrendously ill, medicated, bed rest filled pregnancies AND 2 patellar (knee cap) dislocations (not to mention 2 kiddos who don’t like to sleep much), I have spent more than my fair share of time on the couch trying to keep my sanity and theirs. With our family 3000 miles away, I’ve had to be pretty ingenious about it too. Lucky for you, I’m happy to share my secrets!

I started out calling these Lazy Mom games, as a tongue-in-cheek moniker, but really they are Exhausted, Injured, Sick, Breastfeeding, Fill-In-The-Adjective Parent Games for those times when your hands are full or you just can’t manage to get up for whatever reason!

Exhausted Parents Survival Games

1. Possum: One of my favourites that involves the least amount of effort. Kids run around like mad while you snooze  sip your coffee. Every once in a while you shout out “DANGER” and they drop to the floor pretending to be dead. Leave them there as long as you like before saying “Danger’s gone”. Repeat.

2. Fetch: Fairly self-explanatory; find a soft object or ball to throw, child runs after it and brings in back in their mouth. Give their head a pat and repeat. For variety, pretend to throw it and hide it behind your back while they try to find it. This little variation can extend each round significantly.

3. Bubble Wrap Jump: If you happen to have some bubble wrap around the house, this is a special treat that will not only give you some rest but entertainment as well. My toddler and 6-year-old can spend hours jumping up and down on a sheet of bubble wrap, giggling their heads off. Priceless!

4. Animal Abracadabra: Anything can be a magic wand in this game – a stick, a pencil crayon, a fork – whatever! You wave your wand and say the magic words “Abracadabra bibbity bog, I turn Aven into a dog!” and tap them on the head. They then move and make the sounds of said animal for a few minutes. Repeat. This involves a little more brainpower as the magic only works when you rhyme the 3rd word with the name of the animal. Also beware, your kids might want a turn with the magic wand and then rest time is over

5. Drive the Car: My kids LOVE getting the chance to sit in the front seat of the car and pretend to drive. I usually save this game for when I need to clean the car out because it smells like something has died, or send a few emails, but there’s nothing to say you couldn’t catch a siesta in the passenger seat while they go to town (figuratively, not literally – I suggest hiding the keys and checking that they can’t release the emergency brake first 😉 )

6. When all else fails, you’ve run out of games and the kids are threatening mutiny, Netflix is a lifesaver. They have so many kids shows that I’m actually happy to sit down and enjoy with the kids, and the continuous play feature works a charm when you’ve accidentally fallen asleep you’re just resting your eyes. My 2 year old’s favourite by far is Paw Patrol, while my 7-year-old is currently obsessed with Scooby-Doo. They both also love any live action movie with animals (Free Willy, Pet Party, Air Bud 1-6000, etc).

Because I know how hard it is to be a parent of young children, and I love ya’ll so much, once again I’m giving away not one but TWO Exhausted Parents Survival Kits! These life savers include a gift card to the coffee shop of your choice, the Lazy Mom Games essentials; magic wand, fetch ball and bubble wrap (I kid you not – best toy ever), PLUS a 6 month subscription to Netflix! Whether you win or not, enjoy these games and know there is light at the end of the tunnel – I promise! 

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Tell me what simple games do you do with your kids? I need to add to my repertoire!    All on the Table Disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam program, and receive special perks for sharing all my family’s favourites with you. I was not financially compensated for this post, and I would never share anything less than superbly stellar with my fave readers! 

90 Comments

  1. I would put a white noise cd in this.Good for both mama and child to help settle down.

  2. I keep healthy treats in the car that take a bit longer to eat LOL quieter that way like maybe home made fruit roll up!

  3. I would put some comfy Pj’s , netflix, a cozy blanket and a cold drink in my survival kit

  4. A big bag of dehydrated fruit and a large empty cardboard box both come in handy at our house:) Love your suggestions especially the bubble wrap — always a hit at our house!

  5. I would add emergency 3-4 hour babysitter gift cards. So Mom and Dad can have some grown up time and recharge their batteries to go back “in”. Thank you for the Fun giveaway 🙂

  6. In my exhausted parent kit I would put:
    Chocolate covered espresso beans
    Eye-depuffers
    A children’s art set with markers/stickers (to keep the kids busy)
    A foot bath
    Wine!

  7. A bottle of Chardonnay, a day at the spa card, maybe a clothing gift card, chocolate! bubblebath and candles lol

  8. A good book, my ipod, some bubble bath, scented candle and a glass of wine. Oh and chocolate, don’t forget chocolate!

  9. Being a mom of 4 and being sick in and out of the hospital more time than I would like to count, my kit would include…COFFEE-is a must, chocolate-not picky,Fresh P.j’s, hair ties,Netflix is a great idea,take out menus with gift cards,and a few boxes of smarties to give to the kids so Mommy and daddy can put their new jammies on and get cozy watch a great show on netflix while enjoying a nice take out dinner, followed with a piece of chocolate and coffee and momma can put her hair up so its outta the way, kids can enjoy the smarties while watching their own show upstairs!

  10. I would put a load of raw veggies and a dip in my survival Kit. We love to munch and we love veggies.

  11. Although I’m not a parent myself, the majority of my friends are. I’d fill their survival kit with lots of coffee, relaxing bathtime needs, a bottle of wine and a netflix subscription! 🙂

  12. coupons for Mommy time — ie a bath alone, a walk alone, reading time alone — you get my drift.

  13. I would add a small ball of playdough, a toy car and chocolate for me. (probably Awake brand)

  14. Red bull energy drinks to wake parents up a bit and lavander essential oils for helping the children relax and rest.

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