16 Things Done by Parents When in a Pinch

There is a rumor floating around that parents have it all together — and I'm here to say, bahahahahaha. Half the time I feel like I'm barely keeping it together, all while trying to raise a few small humans, which means I frequently find myself having to come up with temporary solutions for minor problems. Maybe I haven't made it to the grocery store and we're fresh out of vital household supplies (read: toilet paper and soap) or I'm away from the nest with just a wallet, a diaper, and an applesauce pouch. And like me, most of us just simply improvise and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Call them lazy or call them genius, here are a few things that most parents have done when in a pinch.

01
Used your kid's sunscreen.
Instagram | staysealove

Used your kid's sunscreen.

Doesn't bother you so much when it doesn't rub in on your kiddos, but on your own skin . . . not cool.

02
Ate an applesauce squeeze when hungry.
Instagram | bryansuddith

Ate an applesauce squeeze when hungry.

Guilty as charged. They're low calorie, right?

03
Used a diaper as a paper towel.
Instagram | misssunshine5127

Used a diaper as a paper towel.

Meet the other quicker picker upper.

04
Scraped burnt toast in the laundry room.
Instagram | ann_niones

Scraped burnt toast in the laundry room.

Because it was the last piece and your kiddo has his heart set on it but will not touch it if it's burned.

05
Hit up the Rainbow Loom for an elastic.
Instagram | lisajeanfitforlife

Hit up the Rainbow Loom for an elastic.

Need an elastic? Your girl's got about 8,000 stashed away in her room.

06
Worn your child's sunglasses.
Instagram | johannaiwas

Worn your child's sunglasses.

When it appears to be the sunniest day there ever was and your own sunglasses are sitting on your kitchen counter, Stormtrooper specs will have to do.

07
Used baby wipes in lieu of toilet paper.
Instagram | runnercm

Used baby wipes in lieu of toilet paper.

And maybe even sometimes when you're not out of toilet paper. Simply because they are in the bathroom and so are you.

08
Snuggled up with a baby blanket.
Instagram | little_nescka

Snuggled up with a baby blanket.

Trying to cover yourself with a tiny blanket could be one of the most frustrating scenarios ever.

09
Worn kids' Band-Aids.
Instagram | ingridjonach

Worn kids' Band-Aids.

Been there, done that.

10
Borrowed from your tot's piggy bank.
Instagram | christian_anna530

Borrowed from your tot's piggy bank.

Don't worry, honey, Mommy promises I'll pay you back!

11
Sucked on a pacifier.
Instagram | channellnumberfive

Sucked on a pacifier.

What's worse: Sucking the dirt off a fallen pacifier or dealing with a screaming baby until you find a proper way to wash it?

Suck away, Mamma.

12
Brushed with children's toothpaste.
Instagram | nsp__mommy

Brushed with children's toothpaste.

It's just not the same.

13
Used breast milk in your coffee.
Instagram | leighkeogh1979

Used breast milk in your coffee.

OK, never have I ever. But I can name a handful of people I know who went there in a moment of desperation.

15
Grabbed something for your child from the dirty laundry.
Instagram | cassdavies2012

Grabbed something for your child from the dirty laundry.

When your child is freaking out about wearing his favorite dinosaur t-shirt and you just don't have the patience for it today, you dig it out of the laundry saying, "All clean!"

16
Spit-cleaned your tot's face.
Flickr user Kris Mouser-Brown

Spit-cleaned your tot's face.

Never do I ever feel so much like my dad than when I spit-clean my child's face using my own spit and thumb.