12 reasons parenting today is easier than it was 30 years ago.

Don’t you wonder sometimes how our mothers did it?

Cloth nappies, glass bottles, allowing your kids to drink all the cordial that they wanted.

How did they cope without iPhones or those skateboards for prams? How did they cope without seat belts?

(How did they cope without take away large skim milk cappuccinos????)

Let’s face it, for us mums of little ones there are certain things invented for mothers that we could not do this gig without.

1. Oral syringe – How did mums cope before it? Can you imagine crushing up tablets at 3am, grinding them into a powder and trying to get them into a feverish toddler?
The oral syringe is a savior of many a mum. For those late night fevers or those seemingly monthly ear infections.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Combantrin^®, But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.

2. Velcro shoe fasteners. Shoelaces? Seriously? What was the point of them? I say phase them out completely – and use Velcro shoes right up until old age.

3. Nit combs – You’ve been there right? The box of tissues, the cheap conditioner, the comb.
If you haven’t, then look forward to a future filled with small creepy climbing things. For those of us that are well acquainted with the little suckers – admit it, it is quite addictive, isn’t it? You catch ‘em, you squish ‘em, you wipe ‘em. It’s the grown up version of squeezing zits.

4. Combantrin® – If you haven’t hit the nit stage, you may not have hit the worm stage yet either.

What a lot of you have to look forward to.

Luckily some clever soul decided to make these things with chocolate. So there will be no bribery needed. In fact, you will have trouble getting them to stick to their allotted square, so make sure you store them out of reach of little ones.

5. The microwave – Did people have kids before microwaves? Why? How much work would that have been? I can’t even fathom what they went through. Heating up bottles, defrosting last minute lasagnas. Microwaves make motherhood simple.

6. Zip lock bags – Think Lego container. Ice pack. Snack pack. Sandwich bag. Hair tie holder. Barbie clothes sorter. Think home for snails (with those teeny tiny holes punched). Think lolly bags for parties. I can’t even begin to describe the myriad uses these tiny little mother’s friends have. I know they aren’t the most sustainable item around but come on, we recycle, we compost, we use solar power. Let me have one little thing.

7. Baby wipes – From makeup removers, to coffee stain cleaners to keyboard sterilizers. You aren’t’ surprised are you? These things are certainly not JUST for wiping baby’s bums.

8. Sticky tape – How many toys have I “fixed”, super hero costumes have I repaired, craft projects have I rescued. Sticky tape I thank You for keeping my children entertained for years.

9. Baby gates – Turn a whole room into a playpen, and keep the dogs out at the same time. Now if only I could work out how to install the suckers!

10. Non-spill sippy cups – This is a hopeful one. Have they been invented? How many handbags, rugs, couches and car seats have been ruined because these things leak? Even when the kids get older, school drink bottles never seem to last more than a few months.

Now, a quick Google search shows that they HAVE been invented. But I for one haven’t seen a successful one.

11. Car window shades – The days of keeping a newborn asleep are thankfully long behind me, but I tell you my three-year old wouldn’t be able to see her iPad screen on a sunny day without our car window shades.

12. (This is actually two) Gin and tonic – Mister Gordon, we salute you. May the world hold you in high esteem forever more.

Click through our gallery of mum must-haves.

What are the inventions that you could not live without?

When using medications, always read the label, use only as directed, and if symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. 2639/14

Treating Worms With COMBANTRIN^®

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†COMBANTRIN^® market research March 2014 *Aztec Pharmacy data MAT to February 2014.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your health care professional.

Make sure when using medicines to always read the label, use only as directed and if symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. 2638/14