Setting up your pod, or family, is simple. But we do ask for some information, so hopefully this article will explain why:
Step 1: Choose Your Name
Start with the basics - enter your name as you'd like it to appear in Melo. Your first name (or a nickname) works best.
Step 2: Add Your Children
Children's Names
Enter each child's name as it appears in school and activity communications. When Melo knows your children's names, it can automatically:
Sort school emails by which child they're about
Create separate calendar events for each child
When you see your tasks, we'll let you know which child it relates to.
Birth Years
Adding your child's birth year helps Melo understand their needs and automatically prioritize tasks. For example:
A 4-year-old's soccer practice might generate reminders about snacks and pickup logistics
A 14-year-old's practice might focus on transportation and permission forms
Depending on the age, packing for a field trip might be a you task if they're five. Maybe not if they're 15.
Step 3: Create Your Pod Name
Your pod name becomes your family's identity in Melo. We call it a "pod" because modern families come in all shapes - parents, grandparents, caregivers, and children all working together.
How Pod Names Work
Example: If you choose "Johnson Family," your pod becomes "johnson-family"
Email address: Your pod automatically gets an email address like
[email protected]Easy forwarding: Anyone can forward emails to this address and Melo will process them into tasks and events
Choosing a Good Pod Name
Keep it simple and recognizable
Use your family name or something everyone will remember
Avoid special characters or spaces (Melo will automatically format it correctly)
Step 4: Add Family Members and Caregivers
After creating your pod, you can invite other family members. We don't yet give partial access to users, so make sure you're comfortable with this person seeing everything. They will get an email invitation to join the pod.
What Happens Next
Once your pod is set up, Melo will:
Create your family dashboard where everyone can see upcoming events and tasks
Generate your pod email address for easy forwarding
Start processing any emails you connect or forward
Begin creating tasks and events automatically from your family communications
Common Questions
Q: How many children can I add? A: As many as you need! Melo works great for families with multiple kids of different ages.
Q: What if I have shared custody? A: You can set up separate pods or share access with your co-parent - whatever works best for your family situation.