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.

All parents know that school mornings can be a real challenge.  You’re dealing with tired kids, trying to get everyone dressed without an argument, prepping a healthy breakfast and getting lunches and backpacks ready.  It can make you exhausted before the day even gets going.  Over the years I’ve had my fair share of rough mornings but if you stick to these tips you will be on the right track for a smooth transition for the entire...

As a father of 7, I know all too well the challenges of trying to get everyone to sit down and eat dinner at the same time. There are work obligations, the kids’ activities, different sleep schedules if you have kids of varying ages, etc. Yet, sharing a family meal is worth the effort.  It's an opportunity for the entire family to be together at once, share stories, interact and bond.  We’ve worked really hard to make family dinners happen...

Many people cringe at the words “New Year’s resolutions,” but resolutions can be a very positive and productive especially if you’re doing it as a family.  I’ve included a few of our favorite family resolutions over the years.  They create strong family bonds and promote health and happiness within the family. 1. Dinnertime Together.  With busy schedules that include kids’ activities and working late, it can be difficult to...

The holiday season is right around the bend! This is a time that is meant to be magical and extra special, but it can also be stressful and totally unbearable if you’re lugging your cranky little ones to the mall for Christmas shopping or dealing with holiday sleep disasters because you’re traveling or your child isn’t napping. Daddy Nickell has some helpful tips to help parents cope with holiday shopping stresses and avoid baby &...

It’s essential, as a parent, to teach your children the importance of giving back and being grateful for everything they have and are given. While it’s not always easy to teach life’s big lessons, and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight, as parents we must do all we can. As a daddy to six kids with another on the way, I’ve learned a few critical components helpful in teaching kids about giving back. Volunteer: One of the biggest...

Generally speaking holiday shopping with kids is anything but pleasant and peaceful, but all parents know sometimes you’ve just got to bring them along. I’ve developed a few tips based on my years of experience as a daddy that are sure to help make holiday shopping with kids an enjoyable experience. Involve Them: First things first, involve your child in gifting decisions by having them brainstorm a few things each different family member...

Parents of toddlers know all too well that when you tell a child it’s bedtime they’ll likely use their newly found independence to get out of bed several times before actually going to sleep. It can be frustrating as a parent to put your child to bed multiple times every night. Well I’m here to help. With six kids of my own, I’ve learned a few tricks that have helped me in the past. Make a Routine: The routine rules in my household,...

One thing you’ll learn quickly as a parent is that even young children have unique palates. From my experience with six kids of my own, it can be extremely difficult when every child wants something different for dinner. So what do you do? Well I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, and I hope they’ll work for you too. Make Food Kid Friendly: When you’re introducing something new to your child make sure you make it kid friendly in one...

Whether you call it a pacifier, a binky or a nuk – one thing is certain, it can be difficult to wean your toddler off of it. I’ve had six kids with another on the way, and I’ve learned a few tricks that help in the process of moving your child away from the pacifier. Walk a While in Their Shoes: Simply taking away the pacifier without giving the situation the thought it deserves is not the right strategy. Take a moment to walk around in...

Simply put – it’s inevitable – your child will have a public meltdown at one point or another; that’s not something you can control. What you can control, however, is how you handle that public tantrum. Through my years of experience raising children, I’ve learned a great deal about the public tantrum, and I’m here to help you know the best ways to handle them. Ignore: Depending on the parent, the child and the location of the...

If you’re running behind and your child still needs a Halloween costume– don’t fret; I’m here to tell you that it happens to all of us from time to time. Here are a few simple, completely Daddy-doable Halloween costumes that you can make at home with limited supplies. Super Hero: The super hero costume is simple. You’ll need a bright colored pair of pants a bright colored shirt and maybe some tall socks or boots. You can fashion a...

Many children suffer from nightmares, and no parent wants to see their child waking up in the middle of the night scared. Here’s a list of things that have helped me and my children escape nightmares in the past, and I hope they’ll work for you, too. Have a Comfort Item: Let your child help pick out a comfort item they can sleep with all night long. Some children might want a blanket, while others might like to have a stuffed animal. The...