Hot summer days are upon us! Whether you are loving the sunny summer weather or not, there will be some days where you just need to beat the heat. We’ve put together a few creative ideas for indoor enjoyment that the whole family can enjoy during those inevitable heatwaves.
Cost-Effective Ways to Get Ready for a New Baby
If you’ve received the news that you’re having a baby — congratulations! Having a child will change your life forever in the best ways. That said, you’ve probably heard about how expensive it is to have a baby. You may even be worried sick. But here’s the deal: It doesn’t have to drain your bank account. You can save money and give your baby the best care possible. Here are some budget-friendly ways to prepare for your baby’s arrival.
Don’t Fall for the Trap
This first tip is a critical one — don’t believe the idea that you need all new stuff for your baby. Also, don’t think you need all of the products out there. Sure, some new products live up to the marketing and can prove to be priceless, but a lot of the things you may think you need will never get used. Once you get into the flow of parenting, you will realize that you can do just fine with some diapers, clothes, bottles, formula/breast milk and some other essential items.
Revisit Your Closet
When it comes to your clothes, the same philosophy applies. You can get all new stuff, but you don’t have to. Before you go shopping, take a deep look into your closet. You may be surprised by how many pieces you already own that could be used as maternity clothes. For instance, if you have any items that are knit and stretchy, such as dresses or shirts, you may be able to wear them for some (if not all) of your pregnancy.
Shop Major Retailers Online
If you do need to get some new pieces, you can find great deals on maternity wear at major retailers. For example, Macy’s has an extensive selection of casual and professional maternity clothes, and if you shop through their online store, you’re likely to find deeper discounts. Plus, you can typically find Macy’s coupons and cashback offers to save even more money.
Say Yes to Hand-Me-Downs
There seems to be a stigma attached to used baby items, and in many cases, it’s unwarranted. You can get most of the things you’ll need for your baby from other parents who no longer need them. This is especially true of items like clothes, toys, and books that you will only use for a few months. In fact, parents are happy to get rid of baby stuff they don’t use, as it opens up space in their home. If you ask around, you can probably even find some of the most expensive items that are in perfectly good condition; just make sure there hasn’t been a recall on the item.
Start a Baby Registry
There are obviously some things you will need to get new, such as diapers, bottles, pacifiers, a breast pump, and breast pads. However, before you go on a shopping spree, consider creating a baby registry on Amazon, as it has clothes, formula, and every other kind of baby item you can think of. People love to buy things for babies, and with a registry, all they have to do is choose an item (or four) off of a list and click a few times.
Confirm Your Medical Payments Early
Finally, you don’t want to be shocked by your medical bills. Ask your hospital, birthing center, and/or health clinic for a rundown of all the required payments — from your first appointment up to the delivery — and figure out what your insurance will cover. There may still be some unexpected charges accrued by the time you leave the hospital with your new baby, but knowing roughly what to budget for can save you some stress.
Having a baby is a magical experience, and it shouldn’t be a severe financial burden. Search your closet for anything that could be used as maternity clothing, and if you need new clothes, be sure to look online at retailers like Macy’s. Also, gladly accept hand-me-downs, open a baby registry online, and make sure you have an idea of what your hospital payments will be. Most of all, take a deep breath and enjoy this special time.
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.
7 Playful Activities that Encourage STEM Learning
STEM Learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is incredibly important for young minds and helps develop, early on, a variety of problem-solving skills and methods of strategic thinking. There are so many activities that spark this type of STEM learning that are also fun for kids, thus building a positive foundation for their education as they continue to grow.
So, let’s get creative, put on our thinking caps, and maybe get a little messy!
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.
How Local Area Managers are Rapidly Growing Their Businesses with NannyPod Technology
Do you ever wish you had a second set of hands to help run your business? NannyPod software feels like an extension of your team. Childcare professionals across the country are taking advantage of NannyPod software in order to streamline their day-to-day operations, increase their productivity, and grow their business in a more profitable way.
Top Stress-Busting Ideas for Parents
6 Musical Activities for Kids (that Spark Developmental Learning)
How Stay-At-Home Parents Supplement Their Income with NannyPod
Being a stay-at-home parent is rewarding and challenging in so many ways. It allows for quality time and closeness during those early years (that you can never get back), as well as a freedom and flexibility that a structured career simply doesn’t allow. Drop-offs and pick-ups, school activities, social events, etc. all become more feasible with one parent at home.
Say Goodbye to "How Was Your Day?" and Start Asking These Questions Instead
When you ask your kids, “how was your day?,” what is their typical response? Probably something along the lines of… ”fine” or “it was okay.” We know how important that time between after school and bedtime is for family bonding and quality time. Those dinner conversations are sometimes the only moment during the day you have to check in and learn about what’s going on in their lives.
5 Ways Running Your Own NannyPod will Supercharge Your Business
The NannyPod mission is to provide Nanny Agencies with a software platform and App to help them run their business efficiently. Through this better business model, you can ensure that families receive safe and reliable childcare and that qualified sitters, nannies, and registered nurses get more opportunities to connect with those families.
Top Tips for Staying in Control Without Raising Your Voice
Creative Ways to Keep Kids Active on Rainy Days
When the weather is beautiful, it’s a piece of cake to get the kids out and about, running around until the sun goes down. Beach days and park playdates are a dream for parents and sitters. But do you ever feel like there are just more rainy days than you bargained for? Spring and Summer roll around, and so do those afternoon showers. We know how important it is to keep kids active and moving - not only for their health, but also for developing their imagination, and socialization with other kids.
12 Ways to Thank Your Nanny - National Nanny Recognition Week 2018
Take a few minutes to thank the people who help raise your children. National Nanny Recognition Week is September 23rd - 29th 2018!
Create a thank you message and post it on social media.
Give an unexpected bonus
Make a homemade gift
Surprise your nanny with breakfast when she arrives.
Encourage your nanny to pursue her professional education by paying for nanny certifications.
Pick up her favorite snacks so she can indulge whenever she needs a pick-me-up.
Present her with a gift card based on her likes or interests, to show you pay attention.
Give her an extra paid day where she can catch up on her to-do list.
Show that you value her professionalism and sponsor her membership to the International Nanny Association for $35.
Send her to the spa with a gift certificate and let her know that since she spends so much time taking care of others, this is her day to care for herself.
Pay for a nice manicure and pedicure if the full spa is too pricey.
Give the nanny an afternoon off, where she gets to finish early.
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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Salty Excursions That Will Delight the Whole Family
With its subtropical climate and coastal location, Charleston is a mecca for water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and seafaring adventurers. Best of all, you don’t need to venture far from the hustle and bustle of the city to experience the natural surroundings of the Lowcountry.
From dolphin watching to kayaking tours, the entire family is sure to enjoy these salty excursions.
Paddleboard at Folly Beach
Stand-up paddle boards (SUP) have become one of the more popular ways to experience Charleston’s waterways. In addition to providing a great workout, SUPs are fun for all ages, and it is sure to create lasting family memories.
If you’re staying on Folly Beach, finding a paddle board rental company will be easy. Rent a paddle board for a few hours and hit the water on your own or take lessons from professionally trained guides.
For a family-friendly paddle board company, check out Charleston SUP Safaris. Voted the best paddle board company in Charleston for three years running, the knowledgeable guides at Charleston SUP Safaris will make sure the entire family has a great experience.
Fish on a Charter Boat
Lowcountry freshwater and incoming saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean combine in the Charleston Harbor, creating some of the best saltwater estuaries in the world. The result is fantastic fishing, crabbing and shrimping opportunities that make Charleston’s seafood so irresistibly fresh.
Why let locals have all the fun? Book a fishing charter boat and experience the thrill of reeling in flounder or redfish as the family cheers you to victory.
If you have little ones, consider booking a special fishing charter that is tailored to young anglers. Otherwise, they might get bored watching you have all the fun.
Kayak Shem Creek
Kayaking is another great way to take in the scenic beauty of the Lowcountry and have a blast out on the water. Although there are many excellent places to kayak around Charleston, historic Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant is the perfect location for first-timers.
One of the most picturesque waterways in the Lowcountry, Shem Creek is teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. Take a kayak tour of Shem Creek in the evening for a stunning sunset, as well as beautiful views of Ravenel bridge, Fort Sumter and downtown Charleston.
Take a Ferry to Bulls Island
Dolphin spotting, beach combing, hiking and shelling — it can all be experienced on a day trip to Bulls Island. If your family enjoys exploring nature and wildlife, this 5,000-acre remote barrier island is a must on your Charleston vacation.
Board a ferry boat and spend the 30-minute ride spotting loggerhead turtles and dolphins along the way. Once you reach Bulls Island, you can explore the island by bike or foot.
The picturesque Boneyard Beach on the north end of the island shouldn’t be missed. The eerie beauty of this skeletonized forest alone is worth the trip to Bulls Island.
Take a Sunset Cruise Around the Harbor
After a long day exploring downtown Charleston, it’s time to put your feet up and relax. Book a private evening boat tour for the family and let the captain do the work as you take in a gorgeous sunset over the Charleston Harbor.
Bring plenty of your favorite snacks and drinks to enjoy as you gaze at the beautiful mansions lining the Battery, along with several other historic sites. Whether you’re traveling with little ones or teenagers, a harbor cruise is a laid-back adventure that is suitable for all ages and interests.
Go Jet Skiing on Isle of Palms
Families who vacation at Isle of Palms will never be short of recreational activities. This slender barrier island is surrounded by pristine beaches, making it a magnet for water sports enthusiasts.
For a memorable vacation that your kids won’t soon forget, rent a jet ski from Tidal Wave Sports. Their WaveRunners can accommodate three riders at a time, making this water activity an affordable and fun adventure for the whole family.
Crave more than just an hour on a WaveRunner? Consider booking a WaveRunner Safari tour to Capers Island. Suitable for almost all ages, the tour to Capers Island provides excellent shelling and wildlife sightseeing opportunities.
Take a Relaxing Boat Tour to Morris Island Lighthouse
If high-speed jet skis aren’t your thing, then a laid-back boat trip to Morris Island might be a better option for your family. Board a Carolina Skiff bay boat and navigate through unspoiled tidal creeks on your way to Morris Island, watching for native wildlife along the way. The knowledgeable captain will point out dolphins, bald eagles, wading birds and other wildlife that can often be seen from the boat.
Once you arrive at Morris Island, you can explore the beach, including spectacular views of the Morris Island Lighthouse. The kids will have fun combing the beach for sand dollars and cool shells, all while learning about Charleston’s local eco systems.
Final Thoughts
No matter what kind of salty excursion your family seeks, you won’t have trouble finding an aquatic adventure to enjoy in Charleston. With warm weather for most of the year and a diverse coastal landscape, the city and surrounding Lowcountry is a water lover’s paradise.
NannyPod provides babysitters, nannies, and night nurse 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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Neat & Tidy: Ideas for Motivating Kids to do Their Chores
Now, we're not in the business of bribery... but as parents (and sitters), we know that sometimes bribery and motivation walk a very fine line! We want to encourage our kids to work hard, and understand the value of contributing, as well as the importance of responsibility. And in a perfect world, they would pitch in, no questions asked. But at the end of the day, kids will be kids! We've all been there when a pack of gummies was your only hope for getting them to tie their shoes and get into the car in the next 2 minutes.
How to Streamline Your Nanny Agency with Software
If you're running your nanny agency without a software system like NannyPod, you're letting opportunity slip through the cracks. Not only will technology streamline your workload and boost efficiency, but it also drives more business and more profitability for you and your agency. The name of the game with software is return on investment (ROI). Instead of buying all of the tools that you need to run a successful agency separately, NannyPod allows you to operate a one-stop-shop.
How to Encourage Imaginative Play
There is a lot of beauty in technology, and there are a million ways to use it wisely with kids. We certainly don’t believe it should be avoided entirely - however there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! So we’re unplugging, getting our hands dirty, and getting in touch with a little imagination!
Top 5 Reasons to Become a Local Area Manager
7 Travel Hacks Every Parent Should Know
Any type of travel needs a good plan, but especially travel that includes children. Don’t let the inevitable stress of travel dissuade you from taking that family trip you’ve been wanting to take for years. You deserve it! And with proper planning and few of our tips, you might just have the trip of a lifetime with lasting family memories.