Parenting Advice

Parenting Tip: Make Your Black Friday List Now... Then Pounce!

Let’s face it, parenting is fun... but expensive. If there is a way that we can save collectively as parents, then we always feel that it’s a good idea to share it with everyone.


Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some of the best deals and discounts throughout the year. We wanted to send out a reminder to parents to start their Christmas shopping lists now, then buy everything you can during this special weekend. The savings are huge. Make your lists now, then pounce in November on the deals!

In addition, you skip the lines and save time during the holiday season. It doesn’t mean you have to stay home for all of November and December and miss out on the festivities. However, it does mean that you’ll probably enjoy walking around the shops knowing your time is your time, rather than waiting for 20-30mins to check out at each store.

So, start your shopping lists today. Buy in bulk if you can and get free shipping. After all, when you’re a parent, every dollar counts. The more you save, the more you can put toward your child’s education one day. That alone will put them ahead in life into perpetuity!


NannyPod provides long-term and short-term nanny matches, occasional date-night babysitters and infant care specialists. Our service is affordable, convenient and safe for families and nannies. It is 100% FREE for all childcare providers to help parents maximize their connections. Parents can register for our low cost boutique service via the NannyPod App or NannyPod website. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for all your childcare needs!


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Why Should You Use Technology to Ensure the Safety of Your Child?

It can be difficult to become a parent, but fortunately for new parents, we are now in a world full of baby smart tools designed to make your little one’s life as smooth as possible in their first few years. From gadgets that warn you when something goes wrong to simple, yet genius devices that solve small issues in a flash, there are now far more solutions to the problems that happen every day than ever before. There are plenty of innovative gadgets that can make your parenting experience more enjoyable and efficient. On that note, check the following gadgets to see how technology can save you and your child.

NannyPod and technology to ensure child safety



Smart Sock

Bringing a new baby home can be amazing and nerve-wracking at the same time, especially if you have little experience with babies. Whether your baby is a NICU graduate or you just need to ensure that they’re okay all the time, you need a monitor at home that can display the statistics you used to see before in the hospital. The smart sock is a wearable baby sock that measures their heart and breathing rates and pulse. You can see all this information through an app on your phone that graphs your baby's data and tracks their sleep patterns. If your kid's readings are higher or lower than normal, you will be notified by an alarm on your mobile phone.

Baby Monitor

When you finally put your newborn to sleep, you’ll probably want to check on them every five minutes to ensure that they’re okay. Because there is no bigger sin than waking up your newborn, you need a high-quality monitor to keep track of your sweet new arrival without the risk of disturbing them. There are many great monitors out there, so you should choose a good option. Based on reviews on the wifi baby monitor from Hubble, a reliable monitor should always have crisp video and rich features. This device’s camera provides a panoramic view of your baby’s crib. It can also provide an aerial view so you don't have to keep adjusting the angle. It also comes with secure and safe mounts so you don’t have to worry about tangling cables or cords.

Pacifier Sterilizer

You don’t realize how unsterile everything in your home is until you have a baby. That’s why you need to ensure that whatever goes in your little one’s mouth is germ-free. Even though the big sterilizer that you use for your newborn’s bottles can be handy, it is impractical to carry it around when you go out. Therefore, a small pacifier sterilizer is a perfect option for you. It can disinfect a pacifier in less than a minute, which is ideal, especially when your baby starts crying in the middle of a shopping mall. In addition to its small size that makes it easy to carry around, it is very simple to use.

Infant Seat

Keeping your baby entertained, or gently rocking your baby to sleep slowly while doing other chores is exactly what you need in order to manage other tasks in your home or work. The smart infant seat is a swing that mimics the parents’ actions to soothe their baby. It can be controlled from your mobile phone and is extremely easy to set up. The instructions are straightforward and you’ll get everything up and running within 10 minutes while your bundle of joy is taking a nap. There are various infant swings that come with five movement and speed options, and four built-in white noise sounds. If you want to play specific melodies or lullabies, you can connect the swing to an MP3 player.

Wearable Breast Pump

Setting up a breastfeeding and pumping routine is a daunting challenge, so any shortcut that saves you time or energy is fundamental. Carrying a breast pump, instead of being handcuffed to one, will give you incredible relief. You will be able to use the pump while taking care of the laundry, working, calming the moody baby, and even while doing yoga. Look for a leak-free, easy-to-use portable breast pump. They might feel a bit heavy when carrying them and can make your silhouette look bigger though. However, if practicality is more important to you than appearance, use this device, by all means, to make both your baby’s life and yours much easier.

Smart Bottle Warmer

A suitable bottle warmer needs to be minimal, efficient, and easy to clean. A smart bottle warmer is a great option because it has automatic buttons and controls, as well as a slim profile that can be conveniently stowed on the countertop. Two heating levels (constant hot water bath or rapid steam heating) can be used to heat either infant milk or breast milk or to thaw frozen milk. Once you use it, you’ll be glad when the bottle comes out at the ideal temperature. Moreover, you will be able to process it without referring to the instruction manual.

Night Light

The portable nightlight is a minimalist, full-featured smart home device that can play a variety of sounds and colors to soothe your baby and put them to sleep effortlessly. Usually, most nightlight portable devices have 10 colors available, but you can customize your own. There are plenty of sounds as well including storms and lullabies. It can be controlled from your phone or through the buttons on the device itself. There are more expensive options that bring additional features, such as two-way radio, battery power, a dimmable clock, access for several users, and voice control through Alexa.


Most parents admit that taking care of their babies is probably the hardest thing they’ve ever done. As a parent, you often find yourself needing a hand to help you with all the responsibilities that come with having a newborn. However, with nowadays’ technology, you don’t need anyone. There are numerous devices that make caring for your baby a breeze. With tech gadgets, you will be able to keep an eye on your little ones when they’re not in the same room, ensure their safety through monitoring devices, and allow yourself some time to handle other chores or get some well-needed rest.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod App or find a long term nanny through the NannyPod Boutique service. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

Increased Tax Breaks For Parents - Get Your Benefits Today

The rise in the Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) contribution amount limit, along with the IRS extension of the open enrollment rule exception - allowing anytime updates to DCFSA contributions in 2021 - have maintained dependent care tax breaks in view since the spring when the changes took effect.

The estimated scenario below includes the typical 2021 tax savings that a family or parent hiring a nanny to start this week could see:

Childcare Provider Gross Pay: $19,000

Family (Employer) Taxes: +$1,740

IRS Tax Breaks: -$7,370

Family Net Cost: $13,370

IRS Childcare Tax Benefits 2021 for Parents and Families using DCFSAs and childcare tax credits in the USA

By paying legally, the family could save $5,630 and mitigate the risks associated with paying under-the-table - all while ensuring that their nanny will have access to financial safety nets like unemployment insurance and paid family medical leave should the need arise.

If your company has not yet rolled out the new DCFSA contribution limit ($10.5k), you are not alone. Unfortunately, administrative hurdles have caused some companies to delay rollout. An easy workaround available to families and parents with access to a DCFSA through both of their jobs is to contribute up to the old limit ($5k) to both accounts, for a total of $10k.

Families without access to a DCFSA, can fall back on the increased Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). Qualifying dependent care expenses not applied to the DCFSA can be applied toward the CDCTC, up to a maximum of $8k for families with one dependent and $16k for families with multiple dependents. The tax credit is up to 50% of the qualifying expenses, but the credit decreases at higher adjusted gross income levels - with most household employers receiving a credit of $1,600 (one dependent) or $3,200 (multiple dependents).

If you are not sure how this affects you, or how to reduce your taxes with regards to childcare, we’d recommend you use a qualified CPA who is local in your town or city. The cost of a CPA is usually well worth the advice they can present.

Families and parents may use their DCFSA card or DCAP Card (all major debit and credit cards are accepted) in the NannyPod app to pay for childcare.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod App or find a long term nanny through the NannyPod Boutique service. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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NannyPod's Super-Fast New Childcare App

Families can get set up and make requests in under a minute, helping the company capture some of this $30 billion industry. Parents can opt to pay $8 per month for unlimited bookings. When you pay a babysitter through the app, there is an extra $2 Safe Pay fee. Thus paying a babysitter $30 while you had a date-night would only total $32, plus the monthly fee. You can then get the childcare tax credit or use your dependent care FSA to offset the cost! The low fee app is designed to be the fastest way to find childcare anytime you need it and pick up jobs on the fly in the gig-economy. The platform is entirely free to all childcare providers and allows them to keep 100% of their earnings. 


“Our platform simplifies family life on a daily basis, and helps childcare providers earn more money,” stated Kevin N. Hedges, CEO & Co-Founder. “The app combines all of the features you’d expect when trying to book a babysitter or find a nanny, including filters for ratings, pay rates, CPR certifications, experience and more. What makes it really special is the speed at which it works. Parents can also pick childcare providers who have a background check with continuous monitoring. Our core childcare services include infant care specialists, babysitters, nannies, homework helpers and tutors. There’s even a pick up / drop off service for families whose kids are always at activities. The all-in-one solution for childcare is accessible in every city across the USA,” says Hedges. It’s recommended parents invite some sitters and friends they already know to the app, then make childcare requests as needed.


NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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Pay Your Childcare Providers Legally - It's Cheaper!

Have you heard of the American Rescue Plan? How about Dependent Care Savings Accounts or the Childcare Tax Credit? These may sound complicated, however really they’re not. In addition, these plans are of huge benefit to parents with children. If you are looking at using any type of childcare such as a nanny, babysitter, infant care nurse or even a day care service, read on.

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The US government recently improved benefits for families massively during 2021. However, in order to access such benefits, you must pay for childcare by the books. No more cash or checks under the table guys!

NannyPod Childcare Tax Credits 2021 - Savings using a DCFSA for 1 child or 2 children

There are great childcare cost calculators available to help you budget and work out the math. In addition, your childcare provider will accrue important long term benefits such as social security and even unemployment. Paying under the table doesn’t help them with these, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to play by the rules.

NannyPod savings by paying your childcare provider or nanny legally in 2021

If you are unsure about what to do, we recommend talking to a qualified CPA or CFP to help guide you. Navigating these waters is not too difficult with a bit of help from a professional.

There are also a couple of software resources like NannyPay to do the heavy lifting. You’ll avoid the paranoia too of any type of IRS tax audit where you inadvertently fell afoul of the rules and the ‘nanny tax’.


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NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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How New Parents Can Financially Prepare for a Baby

You don’t need to have gone through it before to know that preparing for a new baby makes for an incredibly exciting and anxious time. On the one hand, nothing in life quite compares to expanding your family and welcoming a new baby into the world. On the other though, there’s an endless list of things to prepare for, and your life is about to change permanently!

Among those things to prepare for are the financial hurdles that come with a new baby. Because as you’re no doubt aware, babies cost money! This is an unfortunate reality, but something it’s wise to recognize in advance — because with strategic preparation, you can lessen the financial burden. And that’s what brings us to the tips we’re offering below.

Explore Working from Home

It’s important for new parents to take time off if and when they’re able to. Maternal and paternal leave are essential for the good of the baby and the family. However, for those who may have the option, it’s also a good idea to explore the idea of working from home. Working from home while parenting gives parents the ability to continue hands-on care even after maternity and paternity leave time expires. It’s not easy, but financially it can be a strategic move, as you get to keep on working and have a continuous income stream.

Analyze Costs Honestly

Interestingly enough, one of the most important financial steps you can take to prepare for a new baby is to get real about the costs. As we said above, you’re undoubtedly aware that babies cost money — but going beyond the cliché and analyzing costs honestly and thoroughly is the best way to prepare yourself for what’s coming. Estimates indicate that middle-aged, middle-income parents should expect to spend over $230,000 raising an individual child from birth to college age. Now, that sum is spread out over time, so it’s not as if you need a spare $200,000 when the baby arrives. But being real about this sum is the best way to start addressing it.

Buy Less

There’s a temptation among new parents to buy all of the baby things. After all, when you’re preparing for a child (and your friends and family can’t talk about anything else), it’s easy to get caught up in all of the cute baby things you can do: themed wallpaper, giant stuffed animals, unlimited adorable onesies…. Some of this is certainly fine, and you should get what you need to make sure the baby has a happy, healthy, and comfortable environment. But if you simply buy less — avoiding turning a new baby into an excuse for an expensive shopping spree — you’ll have more money on hand for the important stuff.

Know Your Healthcare Situation

Healthcare costs are also baby costs, and if you plan to have a baby (or are already pregnant), this is something you’ll want to consider right off the bat. Last year a story surfaced about a mother who didn’t realize until too late that her health insurance didn’t cover her pregnancy — resulting in some hefty, unexpected bills. While one woman led to this story, it’s a problem that affects millions every year. Solutions to the problem can vary depending on your coverage and financial means — but checking what your health insurance will and won’t cover is an important part of your financial preparation.

Start Saving for Education

When we talk about saving for education, the term “college fund” comes to mind. This is certainly an important part of raising a child, and it’s something for which you might want to set up a specific savings account or investment fund. But saving for education means early education (or even daycare) also — and the costs can be hefty. If you can start setting a little bit of money aside here and there, even before the baby arrives, you’ll be better equipped to meet those costs a couple years later.

Get Help from Family & Friends

Now is also the time to get help from family and friends! The people around you are likely to be eager to help where they can, and it’s perfectly acceptable to embrace that help. One way to do so is by accepting hand-me-down clothes, accessories, and toys that can actually save you quite a bit in the early going. Another is by updating the baby shower concept, such that you start a “honeyfund” rather than a gift registry, or have friends sign up to bring meals when the baby first arrives (rather than sending gifts). These are small steps, but they can save both money and hassle in your earliest days as new parents, and help set the tone for a strong financial approach.

In the end, having a baby is still expensive, and there’s no way around it. But by being honest about the costs you’re facing and taking steps to address them early; you can be adequately prepared.

Article exclusively written for www.nannypod.com

By Rae Jeanne

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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How to Prepare Nutritious Meals and Get Kids to Eat Them!

Getting your kids to eat healthily is easier said than done. Children are naturally picky when it comes to food and most of them do their best to stay away from fruits and vegetables. This is a challenge that a lot of parents face but one that is not impossible to overcome. There are a few strategies you can adopt in order to improve your kids’ nutrition and encourage them to develop healthy eating habits.

Developing Kids’ Healthy Eating Habits

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How to get your kids to eat healthy (Image Source: Pexels)

Getting your kids to enjoy nutritious meals at home does not happen by accident. It is a lifestyle that you must cultivate in your children as a parent and from an early age. Even while your child is still a toddler, you need to develop their natural preference for healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. The earlier they are exposed to these types, the more they will enjoy eating them as they grow older.

Start by setting a good example and being a role model for your children. If you consume healthy foods and nutritious meals, then they are more likely to follow suit. It is part of a child’s natural impulse to imitate what they see. If they see that you eat certain types of food, then they are also likely to eat the same kind.

It is also a good idea to cook more meals at home versus going out, especially to fast food chains. By making your own meals at home, you can choose what ingredients you use. You will also have fewer chances of exposing your kids to unhealthy food choices like those that are high in sugar and unhealthy fat (common in restaurants and take-out food). 

Finally, get kids involved in preparing the food. Take them with you when grocery shopping or when preparing the meals. Children who are involved in preparing healthy meals are more likely to consume them because they are curious. With that said, it is important to stock up on healthy foods and ingredients so you can easily create nutritious meals at home. You can also look at this guide on protein powder for kids so you can easily make protein shakes and smoothies at home that your kids will enjoy.


Healthy and Nutritious Meals for Kids

Eating healthy and nutritious meals does not mean you should feed your kids with boring food. There are a lot of fun recipes you can try to make mealtimes more satisfying and still healthy for your kids.

First, you can prepare health protein smoothies. Kids love smoothies because they are easy to consume, delicious, and highly refreshing, especially if you use tropical fruits and fresh ingredients. One of the best benefits of having your kids enjoy protein smoothies at home is that this is a good way to get them to eat fruits and vegetables. 

Since they taste good, they won’t even know that it is healthy for them! You can use a variety of fruits and vegetables such as mixed berries, orange, kale, bananas, spinach, and coconut milk in the smoothie recipe. Enjoying a smoothie is also a great way to beat the heat during the summer season! 

Another healthy recipe for your kids to try is a zucchini grilled cheese. Kids, and even adults, love grilled cheese, but you can make it healthy by using zucchini. It is rich in antioxidants and also promotes healthy digestion, heart health, and normal blood sugar levels. This recipe is a fun way to disguise this vegetable and get your kids to eat zucchini.

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Healthy recipe ideas for kids (Image Source: Pexels)


You can also serve up a fruit salad to your children a few times a week. This is a great way for them to enjoy a healthy dessert and ensure that they get adequate amounts of fruits in their diet at the same time. The great thing about making a fruit salad is that you can use whatever fruits you have at home. There is no set recipe to follow for this!


Spaghetti is another dish that is popular with kids. To make it healthy, use fresh tomatoes for the sauce and switch the beef with a leaner type of meat, such as turkey. It will taste as good as any spaghetti and is healthier for your kids, too! 


A few other nutritious meal ideas for your kids to enjoy include kale chips, turkey burgers, granola bars, poached chicken with vegetables, and succotash salad. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You can create healthier versions of their favorite dishes using fruits or vegetables, too. 


Developing a healthy and fit lifestyle as a family has multiple benefits. You would be setting an example for your children and showing them the right way to eat and live. It is also important to get your kids involved when planning meals and activities designed to boost their health and fitness. The more involved they are, the more they are likely to develop good eating habits that will last a lifetime.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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This is How You Can Get Single Motherhood Right the First Time

For the most part, parenting is a daunting venture, and for single moms taking on the task for the first time, it can be downright terrifying. But despite the lonesome nature of the job, know that you’re actually in good company. There are currently 11.3 million single parents in the US alone, and 81.5 percent of these are mothers. And well, you might not realize it yet, but you’re just as capable as these amazing women. So without further ado, here’s how you can prepare yourself for the wild and oh-so-rewarding ride ahead of you.

Get in the right mindset.

There’s no other way around it—you will be going into parenthood scared and uncertain. The good news is this is completely natural. Even better, you will get past this fear in no time. 

The key is in knowing that you are up for the challenge. It really helps to take it one step at a time—stage by stage and not looking too far in the future to cause premature panic. Bear in mind that the right mindset will not only keep you soldiering on, it will also alleviate worries that could hold you back.

NannyPod - How You Can Get Single Motherhood Right First Time

NannyPod - How You Can Get Single Motherhood Right First Time

Get organized.

As a single mom, you’ll be constantly juggling childcare, work, housework, and maybe even a social life. Overwhelming? Yes! But not at all insurmountable, especially with good organization and an even better game plan

First thing’s first—structure is king. Having a solid routine makes things easier on you, so start by making a plan and sticking to it. On another note, the reality is you’re going to go through some really tough and downright crazy periods. Being organized will not only keep you on track, but it will also save your sanity. For example, running to the store at midnight to pick up diapers because you’ve run out is simply not an option when you’re taking care of a newborn by your lonesome. By staying on top of things and keeping supplies replenished, you will save yourself plenty of grief. 

 

Get support.

As a single mom, you might find yourself wanting to prove to the world that you can do this—that you can successfully raise a kid on your own. Again, this is natural. What’s not natural is putting undue pressure on yourself.

You know what they say: it takes a village to raise a child. And though your circumstances might seem otherwise, you need to accept that you are, in fact, allowed to get help when you need it. 

You’ll be surprised to know just how much support is available for single moms, from professional childcare to playgroups, online forums to the celebrated ‘mom tribe.’ And don’t overlook your family and friends. More often than not, all you really have to do is ask.



Get insurance.

Of course, a huge part of being a good parent is being prepared. Few things will shake your confidence more than surprise incidents, so being ready for possible scenarios will make you more capable to deal with them competently. 

Insurance is a great way to equip yourself against serendipitous events—specifically, car insurance if you rely heavily on private transportation to get around. Sad to say, single parents pay more for car insurance than married couples. Not only that, there are no known discounts for single parents. This is not to say, however, that single moms are without options. There are, in fact, other discounts available that you might be eligible for, such as group or mileage discounts or even a safe driver discount. Make sure to ask your agent what options are available to you. 

In addition to a decent auto policy, be sure you fully understand your health benefits and coverage by reviewing changes every year and take the time to sign up for life insurance. It’s a hard thing to consider, but if something were to happen to you, you’ll want your baby to be taken care of.



It’s been said that single motherhood is not for the fainthearted. It might even be the hardest job you would ever take. But it is—hands down—also the most empowering and rewarding, and that right there what makes it infinitely worthwhile.


NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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How to Help Your Child Sleep Better

While it is always important to allow playtime for your child, it is even more crucial you consider how many hours they sleep in a day to enhance physical and mental well-being. Bedtime can be really troubling when your child does not want to abide by the bedtime routine. If a child has problems sleeping, it also affects the care giver's sleeping patterns, which can lead into a difficult cycle of sleepless nights that can prove to be hard to break. 

So how do you help your child get the sleep that you both deserve? 

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Create A Bedtime Routine

If your child is either a toddler, preschooler, or an infant, creating a consistent bedtime routine will help you put them to sleep. A good bedtime routine promotes self-sufficiency that enables a child to go back to sleep at night. This could include sending them to bed at the same time every night, hopping into their pajamas, and reading a book together to tire the eyes. 

Help your child become an independent sleeper by developing routines that make them feel safe sleeping on their own. If you create activities such as bedtime stories, you set a perfect sleeping atmosphere, and your child relaxes and automatically become sleepy.

Reduce Stressful Activities Before Bedtime

Participating in engaging and stressful activities before bedtime can trigger the release of hormone cortisol that plays a role in sleep. Higher levels of cortisol means higher levels of energy. Always keep the environment quiet and tranquil to minimize the release of this stress hormone and help them get to sleep quicker and easier. 

Create an Individualized Bedtime Schedule

It’s important to understand the sleeping patterns of your child for you to create an effective sleep and bed time schedule for them, and to do so,  you must realize that children need different hours of sleep according to age. Although not all kids need or want the same amount of sleep, the usual rule of thumb is to make sure that they sleep between nine and eleven hours each night. An individualized bedtime routine will guarantee that your child wakes up refreshed despite the difference in sleep and wake-up times.

Power Down Electronic Devices A Few Hour Before Bedtime

Screen light from devices such as television can increase brain activity and inhibit the production of sleep-time hormones. High levels of melatonin and serotonin means that your child is ready to sleep. Ensure that your child participates in physical activities to drain their energy instead of watching children programs on devices. You can improve your child sleeping patterns by ensuring that the bedroom is a screen-free zone.

Create A Sleep-Inducing Environment

Although toys can provide protection and reassurance from bedtime fears, do not stuff the bed to make it easier for the child to sleep. Make the bedroom more comfortable by adding cozy bed sheets and regulating the room temperatures to their preferred sleeping environment.  

Make sure that your child gets enough sleep to help them fight off illness and promote physical well-being. If you notice that your kids have trouble getting to sleep, or even detect irregular sleeping patterns, talk to their pediatrician for professional help.

*Although toys can provide protection and reassurance from bedtime fears, do not stuff the bed to make it easier for the child to sleep. Make the bedroom more comfortable by adding cozy bed sheets, and regulating the room temperatures to their preferred sleeping environment. For infants, it is recommended that they sleep on a firm, surface free of pillows and plush toys at least until their 12th month to reduce the risk of suffocation. The death of 8 babies due to inclined loungers led to products such as Boppy Infant getting recalled.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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Top Life Hacks for Managing a Chaotic Morning Routine

Do you remember the last time you woke up energized and ready to go, the kids got dressed and ate breakfast in a timely manner, and everyone shuffled into the car peacefully? Yeah, me neither…

Mornings with kids have become notoriously chaotic. Some days getting everyone dressed, fed and out the door can feel as challenging as climbing a mountain. But we believe it doesn’t have to be this way! Let’s talk about a few simple ways you can take back control of your morning routine.

Creative (and Realistic) Ways to Get a Workout In While Spending Time with Your Kids

I’ve heard it said that out of (1) social life, (2) family time, and (3) exercise, you can only really have two. But, I don’t believe that and neither should you! While yes, having kids can feel all-consuming at times, you don’t have to let your exercise fall in the priority list. Having a consistent and healthy exercise routine is critical, not just for your physical well being, but for your emotional well being and confidence.

Top Stress-Busting Ideas for Parents

Whichever way you shake it, we live in a “go-go-go” society. Oftentimes we glorify how busy and productive we are, and feel guilty if we spend too much time relaxing. Raising kids is difficult enough on its own, let alone balancing a job, marriage, and some semblance of a social life.

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