
Daddy Nickell
Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 6, offers his "5 cents" worth of advice to expectant and new parents. Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gear for dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad's perspective.
Packing the Daddy Go Bag
If you are nearing your wife’s due date you will absolutely want to be prepared and ready to go at a moment’s notice. There are certain items that all daddies need to bring to the hospital on delivery day. Keep in mind that Mother Nature does not always consider your plans. You should have a backpack ready to go, so you can get up and get moving - no matter when Baby decides to arrive. The bag you pack for the hospital will be your...
Ditch the Sleepover Anxiety
As you know every child is different, and with that being said some children might encounter sleepover anxiety. Don’t fret though. You can help them succeed and move beyond their anxiety to enjoy in this fun and exciting childhood ritual. With seven kids of my own I’ve learned some tricks over the years that have helped each of my children make it through the night away from home successfully. Talk to Them: I am a firm believer in the...
Summer Is Here (Almost)
The end of the year can be one of the most difficult times for school aged children as they tend to lose motivation as summer and summer break near closer and closer. As parents, it’s our job (one of our jobs, anyways) to keep them motivated straight through to the end. So, I’ve compiled a list of tips that have helped my kids throughout the years, and I’m sure they will help yours, too! Plan Weekend Fun: To your kids, summer break...
Helping Kids Through Divorce
With divorce rates so high, I think it’s important to remember how this huge change can impact families with children, as well as, how you as parents can put aside your differences to help your kids through it. Be Sensitive: No matter what the situation, you’ll need to be extra sensitive when breaking the news of divorce to your children. Speak calmly and remember you’re talking to a child whose life is about to be turned upside down...
Keeping Sanity with a Colicky Baby
Any parent who has raised a colicky baby knows just how difficult it can be to get through a night – let alone a month! With seven children of my own, I’ve come to experience a little bit of everything, and I have several tips to help new parents of colicky babies keep their sanity. Take Help from Others: First things first, what the book tells you will help with colic may or may not work for your baby. Ask around; post questions on the...
Let the Siblings Give a Hand!
Are you a parent to two or three children? Every child that comes into your family will be blessed with a completely different environment based simply on the number of older siblings they are going to have. The older siblings from 3 years to 23 years old want to help and share the love of the family that they have experienced with the new family baby. It gives them a sense of pride and security - and will remind them that they’re still just...
When Your Child Doesn’t Like His/Her Teacher
In life, we will all encounter people, co-workers, peers and superiors that we do not necessarily click with and those experiences can start at a young age. The difficulty is that children often don't know how to handle a situation where they don't get along with someone in position of authority. If your child is unwavering in his dislike of the teacher and the situation appears not to be resolving itself, I recommend the following...
How to Spot Signs of Stress in Children
Today’s youth are bombarded with a multitude of stressors—a great deal more than we ever faced as kids. There’s societal stress, the burden of homework and school performance, peer pressure and bullying and the demand of extra-curricular activities. These factors can all trigger anxiety and stress in children. Daddy Nickell shares some insight on how to spot signs of stress in your kids: 1. Watch your child’s behavior and be...
Ways to Live Happily With Your Neat & Not-So-Neat Kids
Face it, sometimes we have a child that’s a neat freak and sometimes we have the absolute opposite. As a parent, it’s our job to figure out how it will flow so that everyone involved is happy (that means you and your children). If your kids share a room, you need to find a way for them to cohabitate peacefully. Here are a few ideas on making this happen in your family. Try to give each child their own space. The messy child...
Happy Valentine’s Day, Daddy!
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, daddies can often be left out. This year, make him feel extra special by taking a few tips from a daddy to seven, Daddy Nickell. I’ve put together some ideas that won’t break the bank, and are sure to melt daddy’s heart, too. There are lots of things kids can get their dads for Valentine’s Day without digging into the piggy bank. Here are several of my favorite options: 1. Personalize It: Dads...
Protect and Prevent Your Kids from the Cold and Flu
Tis the season for the dreaded cold and flu; be prepared to take control this year by following these easy tips that can help protect and prevent your kids from getting sick. With seven children of my own I know the flu, or even a cold, can wreak havoc on a child’s immune system, and then tear through the rest of the household ultimately shutting down a family for weeks on end. As parents we are usually willing to do whatever it takes to keep...
Tips for Improving Parent-Teacher Communication
When you think about the most important people in your child’s life, do you consider their teacher to be one of those people? If not, you should. Your child’s teacher should be the 3rd most important person to your child after you, the parents. A teacher is with your child more than you are and will leave a lasting impression on them. By actively working on the communication with your child’s teacher, you can help make the relationship a...