There are moments when parenting where you feel like you’ve finally cracked the code… Like you’ve unlocked the cheat mode to parent life. For some parents, Its mastering the art of sneaking broccoli into mac and cheese. For others, it may be convincing your kid that getting underwear for Christmas is actually the best gift to get!

But this hack!…

This one is next level…

I’m talking about renting an inflatable water slide for your kid’s birthday party.

Let me set the scene for you…

It’s towards the end of June. Our youngest son’s birthday was quickly approaching. We knew we were about to host a mob of sugar-fueled mini humans with the energy of squirrels that just chugged a Red Bull.

Chaos…

So this year, the wife and I decided to try something different. we rented an inflatable water slide…

This was the SUPER BOWL of parent hacks…

As soon as kids arrived, shoes came flying off, shirts were thrown in every direction. They ran towards the slide like it was Disney World in the back yard.

It was entertainment for HOURS…

We had the slide for almost 6 hours. Non-stop sliding. Front flips. Back flips. At one point I thought some of the kids were going to make it their new home and never come down.

Its a vinyl babysitter…

The adults were able to sit and not worry about a thing. uninterrupted conversations took place… Read that last part again… UNINTERRUPTED CONVERSATIONS!

Sure, it did cost a little more than the usual DIY backyard birthday…

But, let me tell you… It was the type of parent move that makes you feel like you should be wearing a cape for the hero you are…

If you are on the fence about renting one for one of your kid’s birthday?

Get off the fence… and DO IT!

Be the parents that brought the water park to the back yard.

Be a hero!

-Matt Webb