Mum shares a handy 14p hack to ensure your kids never scratch a car door again

If you are out with your little ones, it is not always possible to park in a child-friendly spot.

And the lack of extra space can make getting toddlers in and out of their car seats a total nightmare, as you risk scratching your car or even someone else’s.

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But one smart mom has found the perfect solution, and it’s something you probably already carry with you.

Kelly Arvan, from Australia, took to TikTok to share her cost-effective hack.

“If you’re ever parked too close to a car next for you, you need this hack in your life,” she said in the clip.

Instead of carefully balancing the opened one car door and hoping it didn’t crash into the car next to her, the mother used a clean diaper to create a soft barrier.

She places it between the car door and the next car so that the door can be fully open and leave plenty of room for her little ones.

“When I want to get my baby out of the car, I use a diaper. The door doesn’t scratch the car next to you, and the car next to you doesn’t get paint on yours. Now I can get him out,” she explained . .

You could also use a thick sock and get the same result, she noted in the viral video.

But if you have small children you may already have a spare nappy on hand, and with the price of a pack of 80 costing around £11 at Tesco, this clever trick will only set you back 14p – nothing compared to the cost of repairing a dent or scratch.

After sharing the trick on social media, other parents were surprised they hadn’t thought to do the same.

“Usually I use my hand and my husband takes it, but this is less painful,” one mother commented on the post.

A second agreed, saying: “That’s so clever, I’ve never thought of that before.”

“Can you please tell everyone in my town about this hack, my car is full of scratches on the doors,” wrote another.

“This is a great hack overall with kids, parking lots are so small these days,” said someone else.

Others thought it would be easier and less risky to park elsewhere.

“You can literally move the car, there’s no need,” one person wrote.

“Learning to park? Don’t waste a diaper,” another agreed.

More parenting hacks

IF you want to make your life as a new mom easier, here are nine hacks you won’t want to miss.

1. Routine charts

Create visual charts for daily routines. Use pictures and stickers to make them attractive to younger children.

2. Meal planning

Plan meals a week in advance to save time and reduce stress. Involve your children in meal preparation to teach them cooking skills.

3. Toy rotation

Keep some of the toys put away and change them regularly. This keeps playtime fresh and exciting without the need for constant new purchases.

4. DIY cleaning solutions

Make child-safe cleaning solutions with vinegar and baking soda. It is effective and keeps harsh chemicals away from little hands.

5. Timeout jar

Create a time-out jar filled with calming activities written on slips of paper. When emotions are running high, children can choose an activity to help them calm down.

6. Educational apps

Use educational apps and websites to make screen time productive. Look for programs that offer interactive learning on topics your child is interested in.

7. Command Center

Set up a family command center with a calendar, key hooks and a bulletin board. It helps everyone stay organized and on top of daily schedules.

8. Emergency package

Keep a small emergency kit in the car with essentials such as snacks, water, first aid supplies and a change of clothes. It is a lifesaver for unexpected situations.

9. Label everything

Use labels for clothing, school supplies and lunch boxes. It makes it easier to keep track of belongings, especially in shared spaces like schools.

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