If you know other parents in Nevada or living in some other desert climate, these 5 tips might not be as surprising to you. If, like me, you’re moving to the desert without the faintest clue of what you’re doing and without a wise owl to point out seemingly obvious tidbits of wisdom, this post is for you! Have anything to add? Comment below!
- Keep outdoor activities for early mornings or late evenings.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it wasn’t something I though a lot about before moving to LV. Living in Orange County, CA, I would happily go out any time of day with my toddler. We loved taking walks and stopping at the park after school. In Las Vegas, this is a lot harder. Sunblock, hats, sunglasses, and water are all things to remember when attempting daytime activities. Early mornings are the easiest time to do outdoor activities–before the sun is high in the sky–and late evenings just before bedtime alleviate the sunscreen paranoia I have recently developed.
2. Always have water on hand.
Don’t just have water on hand, but have water in an insulated cup with ice. I found an amazing one at Walmart that actually keeps my ice frozen and beverage cold for 18 hours–even when leaving in a hot car. So, fill it up and keep in the car–then poor into a kid-friendly one to keep your LO hydrated. Here’s a link for my favorite personal insulated cup for under $20! Insulated Travel Tumbler
3. NEVER let your child bring crayons in the car!
Again, you’d think this was a no-brainer, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. If the only way a single mom can get her toddler to the car without screaming is by allowing her to carry oversized crayons and even more oversized Paw Patrol pictures, then by golly, you do it! Just remember to remove the crayons the second you exit the car. My daughter’s overly-priced carseat has now become one with the oversized crayons. I don’t even want to begin to figure out how to get the melted wax out, but I bet my favorite baby gear cleaning service will be getting a call from me soon!
4. Lunchables left in the car = “Oh dear God, that’s disgusting!”
Seriously. As a single mom (or a “geo-baching” mom I’ve been called), I recognize that although Lunchables aren’t the ideal healthy snack for a 2-year-old, when you’re a teacher rushing from work to daycare and then back to school for hours of family meet-and-greets, you do what works. On busy nights with no time for major meals, Lunchables are a decent hold-you-over snack with carbs and protein. The key here? DO NOT let your toddler toss around, lose, or otherwise hide that processed meat. The smell and texture of shriveled, dried-up lunch meat rivals old milk in the gross category. 🤮
5. Get connected with the libraries!
Las Vegas has an impressive network of libraries with tons of free activities for kids of all ages–from story times to STEM activities. Their websites even allow you to search for activities by age group and sync them with your calendars! Check out their website here!
I look forward to sharing more of my “AHA!” moments as I experience them. Check back later for more!
OC to LV 