5 days ago
Parents of young kids should know this genius hack to prevent holiday tantrums
If your child is attached to their favourite toy or teddy bear, this tip could make your life a whole lot easier.
The summer holidays can easily wear down busy parents, particularly those with younger schoolkids. Tantrums can become all too common when the kids are at home for six weeks, especially when the wee one's favourite toy magically disappears.
Losing a beloved teddy can be heart-breaking for both children and parents, but one expert has revealed a clever parenting hack that could save tears and tantrums. Hayley Brown, smart tech expert at AO, has suggested sewing a tracker into your child's most beloved toy to make sure you can always find it in times of crisis.
The expert said: 'Losing a favourite teddy can be distressing - for both children and their parents. But using a small smart tracker like an Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag can help you find it in seconds.'
Smart trackers use Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone, showing the teddy's last known location on a map on your screen.
Some even emit a sound or guide you with precision tracking when you're nearby, perfect for finding a bear buried under a pile of laundry or left behind at Grandma's house.
If you're interested in trying out this nifty parenting hack, AO offers a pack of four Apple AirTags for £89, or they are also available on Amazon in a pack of two for £28.
Alternatively, Amazon also offer a four-pack of similar LifeTags currently on sale for £29.99.
Hayley recommends discreetly sewing the tracker into a seam or pocket when your child isn't looking - nap time works well. Name it clearly in the app so it's easy to locate.
The expert concluded: 'Test it out by moving the teddy to another room and checking that the sound works or that its location shows clearly on your phone. It's a quick and clever way to avoid bedtime dramas.'
And the summer holidays abroad come with extra risks of tantrums, as lost teddy's are not so easily recovered.
Back in February, an international hunt was launched after a Scouse four-year-old lost her favourite cuddly toy in Tenerife when she and her family were catching some winter sun.
Jennifer Kay, the child's mum, believed the teddy may have ended up on a flight to Edinburgh.
The mum said at the time: "It's my daughter's favourite bear and has been for years. He goes everywhere with her. He was made by a close family friend, a gift when she was born.
"He is a knitted teddy bear, quite unique and soft. It would have been better to pack him in the case of course, but she insists he travels with her.
Teddy was last seen at a café in the Tenerife Airport when it fell out of her bag. However, they had reason to believe the bear ended up in Edinburgh.
Months later, however, the family have still not reported that they found the missing bear.
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