If you are reading this, then you are a busy mom. Or maybe a busy dad. Either way, that’s okay.
Whether you have one child or six, work in an office or at home, are a single parent or have a partner, managing your day is a well-honed skill. Some control over the next few hours could be the most meaningful gift for any Mother’s Day!
Technology helps when the brain gives up. Here are some tools that can help you plan, organize, stay informed, and even relax.
1. Check If Media Is Appropriate
So your son wants to play that new video game at his buddy’s house. Or your daughter wants to watch that funny movie with her friends. Unfortunately, you have not heard of either title. How do you know if the game or movie is appropriate for your child?
This is where Common Sense Media comes in to help. Available on the web and mobile devices, you can check out reviews, family guides, and top picks for media. Common Sense Media covers television shows, movies, games, books, apps, and websites.
You can also use the convenient search feature to quickly find out if something specific is appropriate for your child’s age.
Download: Common Sense Media for Android (Free)
2. Charge Your Battery
What is worse than forgetting your phone when you are out for the entire day running errands? The answer is, remembering your phone but having a dead battery. You need either a portable battery charger or charging case and Mophie sells them for both Android and iPhone along with other products for mobile devices.
If Mophie products are not available for your device or you want a less expensive option, you can also check out Amazon. Pop cell phone battery case into the search box and have a look for one that suits you.
3. Do More by Doing Nothing
If you have tasks that you can automate, wouldn’t that save you a ton of time? Whether it is notifying your kids when you leave the office, controlling your home thermostat, or simply posting photos on social media, if you are not using IFTTT, then you are missing out.
IFTTT is a fantastic automation tool that goes beyond just those few tasks listed above. Receive a reminder to grab a jacket if it’s going to be cold out or a notification when NASA has breaking news. IFTTT works with tons of apps and services, and offers automated solutions for the home, social media, news, health, car, and more.
Download: IFTTT for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Use Your Smart Speaker for More Than Music
If you own a HomePod, that smart speaker from Apple can do much more than just blast out your favorite tunes. From controlling your lights and adjusting your thermostat to making phone calls and sending text messages, HomePod offers terrific hands-free features.
In addition, Siri on HomePod can help you around the house with timers, alarms, reminders, and more.
For instance, you can set multiple timers for preparing dinner. This means you can have a meat timer for one hour, a potato timer for 30 minutes, and a veggie timer for 10 minutes, all at the same time.
You can also ask Siri to set an alarm for a certain time if you have an appointment and create reminders, so you don’t forget to defrost tomorrow’s roast. Plus, you can ask Siri to help you with measurement conversions for that recipe you need to double or cut in half.
5. Keep Up With Shopping Using Your Voice
Maybe you and your family opted for a less expensive smart speaker than HomePod like an Amazon Echo. Alexa, like Siri, can help you do those same types of things at home. You can set timers and alarms, get information, and help with measurements. But Alexa can help you with something that Siri cannot, your Amazon shopping.
You can add items to your Amazon shopping list, check on the status of your orders, and receive notifications when your items are on their way. This gives you a wonderful, hands- and computer-free way to keep up with your shopping and deliveries.
6. Let Your TV Go Beyond Shows and Movies
TV has come a long way since the days of needing antennas and watching shows in black and white. Like smart speakers, smart televisions can provide a lot more than what they appear. Systems like Apple TV and Roku let you download apps or add channels that you enjoy. And all without the worry of a cable guide.
The thing is, it’s super easy to forget this.
So the next time you want to learn how to prepare a new dish, turn on Tasty on Apple TV to cook along with a chef. Or when you have only a few minutes for exercise, pop the Beachbody on Demand channel onto Roku for a 10-minute workout.
Want to find some DIY projects you can the kids can do together? You don’t have to search the web. Apple TV has some terrific apps and Roku has some awesome channels for do-it-yourself projects.
Whichever television or system you own, remember to check out their offerings that go beyond shows and movies. This can save you a ton of time.
7. Organize It All
If what you really need is a calendar, task manager, and shopping list rolled into one, then you need a family organizer.
Cozi Family Organizer is one of the most popular options for keeping these items organized for you. You can share a color-coded family calendar, assign chores and tasks, and let everyone have input on the grocery list. Cozi also offers a recipe box for meal planning and handy reminders to keep all family members in the loop.
You can also check out the Cozi Gold paid subscription that provides a birthday tracker and other cool features.
Download: Cozi for Android | iOS (Free)
Ease the Load With Technology
No matter how busy you are now or how hectic things become, simple tech hacks like these can ease the load. From a simple timer to a complete family organizer, there’s sure to be at least one or two useful tips here for you.
For more ways to get that helping hand, check out these mobile apps for busy moms that will always be at your fingertips.
Read the full article: 7 Tech Hacks for Busy Moms: Get More Done With Less Effort
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