Parenting today is one of the most rewarding yet overwhelming journeys. Every parent wants to do what’s best for their child, but in a world overflowing with advice, the real challenge is knowing what truly matters. Over the years, both as a parent and as an entrepreneur, building one of India’s fastest-growing parenting essentials brands, I have realised that smart parenting is not about doing more but about making small, intentional choices that create a lasting impact on a child’s health and safety.

Rethinking healthy eating – Small swaps, big wins

When it comes to nutrition, children don’t always respond to logic, but they always respond to presentation. I’ve seen it with my own child—serve plain apple slices, and they often sit untouched. But turn them into fun skewers with a dash of peanut butter, and suddenly they disappear in minutes. Parenting hack number one: don’t change what you serve, change how you serve it.

Swap packaged snacks with dry fruits, sneak fruits into pancakes, or make popsicles with frozen bananas and yogurt - simple, sustainable ways to build healthier habits without refined sugar. Kids naturally love color and texture, so food that looks exciting often gets eaten without resistance. Parents can also turn eating vegetables into a fun challenge or game of eating four to five colours daily. Choosing bottles, sippers, and containers in fun, colourful, and engaging designs also makes it easier for children to enjoy food and drink from their favourite items. The point isn’t to force children into eating what we think is “good for them,” but to bring nutrition into moments of everyday joy.

The BPA blind spot we can’t ignore

One area where parents often unknowingly compromise is the choice of foodware and drinkware products. Many training and daily essentials such as bottles, sippers, and containers still contain BPA (Bisphenol A), a chemical that can leach into food and drinks. Research links BPA to hormonal imbalances and long-term health concerns, yet it continues to slip under the radar in many households.

As a parent, discovering this was a wake-up call for me. I realized that even the healthiest food loses its value if served in a harmful container. That’s why we, as a brand, decided to make all our products completely BPA-free, and also introduce stainless steel alternatives for safer, longer-lasting use. These are not a feature for us, but our fundamental promises. The second parenting hack is simple but powerful: always read the label and ensure your child’s bottles, sippers, and lunch boxes are BPA-free. It’s one of the simplest yet powerful ways to eliminate a hidden risk from your child’s daily life.

Simplifying parenting choices

The third hack is about mindset. Parents today are constantly bombarded with “must-haves” and long checklists that make parenting look harder than it already is. I believe smarter parenting is about simplifying, not complicating. Instead of buying different bottles for home, school, and play, invest in one versatile, spill-proof bottle that works everywhere — from the classroom to the playground to travel. Instead of cluttering your kitchen with multiple containers, choose a few safe, durable ones that last longer. Products that come in unique colours and playful designs can also make mealtimes and hydration easier, as children are naturally drawn to their favourite containers. Minimalism in parenting not only reduces stress but also makes the journey more sustainable.

Thus, our mission has always been to take the stress out of parenting. Whether it’s designing fun, practical mealtime essentials or ensuring everything we make is 100% BPA-free, our goal is simple, to support parents with products that are safe, smart, and child-friendly.

Parenting doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be thoughtful. The hacks are simple: reimagine how you present healthy food, eliminate hidden toxins like BPA, and simplify choices instead of overloading yourself. These small shifts can create safer, healthier childhoods, and give parents the freedom to focus on what truly matters: celebrating every little milestone along the way. In parenting, #LittleThingsMatter.

(The writer is a Co-founder, Rabitat)