Mom’s Vibe
By Krystle J. Bailey
Let’s be real! Every mom has grand plans to hit the beach with the family every summer, until we’re covered in sand and overwhelmed by the sun, kids, and chaos. While this piece offers a few tips for successful family beach days, I also want to remind every mom that none of this is easy! None of it comes with a hand book.
As you set out on your big beach day, remember to bring a big dose of grace along for the ride. Beaching it with the kids can feel like a full day’s work, especially when you have little ones. Take a deep breath, do not set high expectations, and decide before you go that you will “go with the flow” of the day.
This summer, hit the beach prepared with these beach-hacks for moms for a little less stress.
Baby Powder
Baby powder does not get enough credit for the godsend that it is on sandy summer days. For all that sand stuck on ankles and in places the sun doesn’t shine, baby powder is the solution. Keep a giant tub of baby powder in your car all summer for those super sandy weekends. Cover the kids in a puff of baby powder, then gently brush off the sand for simple, dry sand removal before jumping in the car.
Fitted Sheets
Bring an old fitted sheet to the beach to keep the sand at bay. Simply flip it upside down and use bags to secure the corners to create a sand-free safe space for kids, food, and safe keepings.
Balloons
Every wave-jumping kid leaves the beach with water and sand in their ears. Throw a bag of balloons in the beach bag and have the kids blow one up after the beach. It will keep them entertained on the exhausted ride home while simultaneously blowing the water and sand gently out of their ears.
Pringles Cans & Diapers
Securing your valuables on the beach is always a conundrum. Empty a Pringles can or other snack bag, store your valuables, and stick it in your beach bag to keep it hidden. For those with babies, wrap your goods in a diaper to deter anyone from poking through your valuables.
Refrigerate Sunscreen
Before a big beach day, freeze or refrigerate your sunscreen. Then, when you go to apply it on the beach, it cools the kids’ skin down on contact and offers a dose of refreshment under the summer sun.
Blowup Baby Pools
This “hack” will serve you well whether or not you have babies. If you do have a young one, a baby pool of beach water will keep the babies happy, in the shade, and nearby. If you have bigger kids, a pool is still a great way to easily rinse hands and feet when it’s time for lunch. Either way, it’s a cheap purchase that will bring a great return on investment.
Enjoy this summer at our beautiful Jersey Shore! Let us know what other beach-hacks you find. Tag us in your beach photos on social media!
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet
KrystleJBailey.com
