Trust me when I say you’ll want to keep this mom hack for peace of mind and playtime safety in your back (or front) pocket.
Playtime is always fun with the kids, but when you’re a busy mompreneur juggling multiple little ones and many todos, there comes a time when you’re on the verge of a heart attack because you can’t find one of them! Especially during games like hide and seek, children can find some pretty impressive hiding spots that might leave you feeling panicked.
That’s why I want to share one of my favorite mom hacks to help ease the anxiety when your kids get a little too good at playing hide and seek!
Here’s my personal safety hack that I’ve discovered over the years of babysitting, nannying, and watching my own kids – the good ol’ Marco Polo game. Yes, I’ve adapted this popular poolside game into a useful tool for hide and seek (or any other needed time), and it has been a game-changer for me. Let me tell you how this came about.
The Hide-and-Seek Panic Moment
One day, I was watching a group of kids, and we were all playing hide and seek. There were five kids in total, and one little boy was an exceptional hider. We had a three-story house, so there were plenty of spots for him to disappear. I found everyone else easily, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. After a while, his mom arrived for pick-up and told me, “Oh, he hides and won’t make a peep until you find him.” Great! Would have been helpful to know sooner.
Long story short, after what felt like forever, we finally found him under the sink in one of the extra bathrooms. He had crammed himself into the tightest space and stayed so quiet that we only found him after he whimpered because he wanted a treat! From that day forward, I knew I needed a better system to keep track of the kids during hide-and-seek (or any other playtime).
Enter Marco Polo for Playtime
The solution I came up with is incorporating Marco Polo into hide and seek, or any game where the kids may be hiding or out of sight. For those who don’t know, Marco Polo is a pool game where one person says “Marco” with their eyes closed and the others respond with “Polo” to help the seeker find them. I adapted this by teaching my kids that during any game where they’re hiding, or even when we’re at the park or out and about, if I say “Marco,” they must respond with “Polo.”
This simple game is a fantastic way to keep track of the kids without making them feel like they’re losing or ruining their hiding spot. It gives me peace of mind knowing where they are without them feeling like I’m hovering. Even when my youngest was two, she got in on it! When I say “Marco,” she adorably responded with “Hello” – but hey, it works!
Why This Hack Works
- Ease of use: It’s easy for kids of all ages to understand and participate in, making it perfect for families with children of different ages.
- Independence + Safety: It gives kids the freedom to hide or play independently, but you still have a safety net in place to check on them when needed.
- No compromise on fun: The kids don’t feel like they’re “losing” because it’s built into the game – they still get to hide and win without anyone hovering over them.
We use this hack everywhere. At home, outside, and even when we’re out at the park or in public spaces like the mall. It’s a great way to have that extra layer of communication when kids might wander or be out of sight for a few moments.
Does Anyone Else Have a Similar Hack?
I’ve been using this trick for years now, and I didn’t realize how helpful it was until I shared it with a friend. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend incorporating it into your playtime routines. And if you already have something similar or other hacks you use with your kids, I’d love to hear them! Let’s help each other out by sharing these little tricks that make life a bit easier.
Whether it’s a safety trick, a game hack, or just something that makes your daily routine with the kids smoother, feel free to drop your ideas below. After all, we mompreneurs (and dadpreneurs) can use all the helpful tools we can get!
Happy mommying while running a business, and may your playtimes be full of laughter and ease!
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