My Favourite Things - The Molly Edition

A while ago I wrote about the "break in case of emergency" electronic distractions reserved for when we're out with the kids and my usual bag of tricks isn't working.  Thankfully both children continue to get better at entertaining themselves and we don't need these quite as often as we used to, say six months ago.

That being said, there are numerous things, technology or otherwise, that make our lives significantly easier or more enjoyable when it comes to the minions.

Oprah is allowed her list of favourite things, well this is Molly's list of things that she loves and that make our lives significantly easier or more pleasurable.  Note: I receive absolutely no monetary benefit from anything mentioned below.

TANGLE FREE BRUSHES
Molly has long hair, and the patience/attention span of a pre-schooler.  She is also really sensitive, prone to tangles and has a penchant for dumping sandbox sand and other ridiculous things onto her head.  About six months ago I finally broke down and bought a tangle free brush and this has saved endless tears and struggles.  I assure you, there are still days when there are tears over tangles, but these are fewer and farther between.

Tangle Free brushes (generally range between $10-20 depending on the store).

The minions spend a lot of time listening to music.  At home we rarely play children's music because as a parent how many times can you listen to Let It Go without banging your head against the wall?  That being said, Miss Molly has her own taste in music.  While we were driving home from swimming lessons last week Lorde's Royals came on the radio and Molly told me it was her Jam (she didn't actually say it was her Jam, but she told me it was her favourite song).  

We get a lot of requests for songs from favourite movies and stories, but Molly also likes to mix it up.  She loves Bob Marley and Simon and Garfunkle while Jack prefers Neil Diamond, David Bowie.  Slightly related, Jack's favourite "lullaby" is Iron Man. 

Here are two favourite and highly requested songs by Molly that have killed time in a waiting room, and have been fun to listen to in case you're looking to expand your little ones’ musical horizons.  A small warning, both of my children love villains and these picks aren't your typical children's fare:

Little Red Riding Hood - Cover by Amanda Seyfried (Oddly enough, the original version was one of Chris' favourite childhood songs as well.)

Once Upon A Dream – from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (based on a Tchaikovsky piece that lyrics were put to).  Molly likes both the Sleeping Beauty version, but also likes the Lana Del Rey Version..which I admit we encourage.

What non-traditional "children's" songs do your kids like?  What products make parenting easier for you?

To view Jack's favourite distractions click here.

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My Favourite Things

Most of the time I have a few "break in case of emergency" items in my mom purse, which right now is shockingly smaller than I'd like it to be.  Lately, I've been forced into carrying a Wonder Woman "side bag" in addition to my purse to hold parenting supplies (acetaminophen), books and my lunch for work.  Note: there isn't anything wrong with Wonder Woman, she's awesome - it's just I need a new, larger purse.

When we're out with the kids and forced to wait at doctors offices, the subway to pick up dad or in the queue at the pharmacy (ahem) while I wait for my much needed birth control prescription, the kids can get a little nutty.  Sometimes the book I have in my bag, or box of raisins that's been sitting there for nearly a month isn't going to cut the mustard, so it's time to release "the big guns" and bust out the phone or tablet - something that we try to avoid most of the time.

Miss Molly "inspecting" some diaper cream on her Elmo Chair.

Oprah is allowed her list of favourite things, this is Jack's list, of things that will distract him when you need it the most.  They usually work on Molly too, but she'd never request them.  Behold, three parental "life-hack" videos to get you through the line, mostly, tantrum free (no guarantees).

Elmo Song - This break in case of emergency tune is perfect when you need three minutes of time.  I busted this out last weekend at the barber when Jack didn't want the to use the electric razor on him. It was the perfect lengthed distraction.

If Jack is feeling a bit cranky, Domo Hungry always makes him laugh.

We came across this one by accident because of Jack's affinity for the Gingerbread man in Shrek. Chris hit the "Googles" and found Jack's new favourite, the Classic story, The Gingerbread Man, as read by The Office's John Krasinski.  Once it is done, you generally get served a five to ten minute game where you pretend to be the fox while Jack runs away from you giggling, "You can't catch me, I'm the Ginger Cookie Man".

I hope I've bought you three minutes (or nine minutes if you parcel these all together), made you and your little one smile and avoided a tantrum.

What are your parenting hacks (digital cheats) to get 5 free minutes?

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