The following contribution is from another author.
Family management has many advantages in today’s world. Everyone is busy doing their own things, even the kids. This means you can miss a lot as a busy parent. However, there are some excellent bits of tech you can use, such as smart tech for routines and communication devices. Most are freely available or cost very little. While others have a cost. For example, smart tech such as Amazon Echo is expensive, yet most planner apps come with free trials and low costs.
Everyone is on the Same Schedule
Not seeing your family as much as you would like can cause issues such as not staying organized. Today, though, there are tons of ways you can keep the family on the same page using apps. Schedules are vital for family cohesion, especially when it comes to getting things done and even education. You may even need a 6 month old feeding schedule to remind you of what to do and when with apps like Google Calendar, TimeTree, and Family Shared Calendar.
Smart Tech for Family Management
Scheduling is important, but family management goes beyond this these days. Apps are a great way to go because most kids have a smartphone. However, other smart devices can help keep things on point. Smart devices like Amazon Echo are becoming more popular, with an expected home penetration of almost 99% by 2027. You can use Alexa to set routines and reminders for the kids. But smart controls also mean you can switch off plugs and lighting at curfew time.
Internet Parental Control
Using the web is more of a concern now than at any other time. Online predators stalk the web everywhere, from social media to games made for children, such as Roblox. Internet parental control systems can help prevent kids from seeing things they shouldn’t by blocking access to certain sites. You can also set time limits and monitor messages. This might seem invasive, but there are strong links between child self-harm and platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.
Parental Control on Personal Devices
Parental control apps allow you to control what your family sees on a network-wide basis. But what about when they aren’t home, or you can’t see what they are doing? Video game consoles have parental controls built-in, and you can restrict the games available for download, such as Mature Rated games. You can also set timers so they cannot play when they should be doing homework or going to bed. And there are apps for managing content on their personal phones.
Managing Tasks and Responsibilities
There are many benefits to giving children responsibilities. Little things such as taking out the trash or setting the table can help develop mature skills and balance emotions. Everyone in the family has responsibilities and tasks they need to do. Some of the best apps for this are:
- Cozi Family Organizer: helps with keeping track of groceries and chores.
- Trello: excellent for larger daily projects with managed and tracked timing.
- FamilyWall: keeps everyone informed with a shared calendar and finance tracker.
- BusyKid: helps children keep track of personal finances and savings.
- Sweepy: keeps track of family chores and everyone’s responsibilities.
- Maple: household planner best for tracking projects such as birthday parties.
- Any.do: a simple organizational to do list app for personal and family projects.
As a parent, you also need to stay on track with things such as groceries, and apps can help with this. Kids also need to learn how to manage money since it isn’t taught in school. Family projects must be tracked to ensure everyone is doing what they should when they should.
YouTube as a Family Tool
There are some things that every family does. Getting up in the morning, preparing and eating meals, and completing assignments or chores. Having the kids get involved in more things helps them feel appreciated and part of the family. For instance, children will eat vegetables if they help prepare the meal. Kids love watching videos online, and you can use YouTube as a teaching tool to assist with family tasks such as safety in the kitchen or making chores fun.
Location Tracking Devices
GPS technology has been around for a while now. Where it was once restricted to large devices such as the car, it can now be used in almost anything, including smartphones. GPS tracking is excellent for finding lost or stolen items, which is a possibility with kids since they drop everything. However, GPS can also be used to keep track of the children. Less invasion of privacy and more about safety. This helps keep kids from going anywhere they shouldn’t.
Communication Tech for Family Management
Most kids have smartphones beginning from the age of 12, where around 75% of children have them. By 15, almost all kids have a personal device. This is great because you can always call them or even track their phones. Communication is key for a healthy family and helps establish bonds. Further to calling, modern devices also support video calling. Tech companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Sky are also making video call devices a normal part of the home.
Easier Education at Home
Education doesn’t begin and end with the classroom. Children who perform the best at school take part in after-school activities and complete extra homework. Today, online educational platforms for kids have never been more accessible. Some of the best platforms include National Geographic Kids, Khan Academy, and Duolingo. There are also targeted subject platforms for extra tuition, such as Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare for kids and parents.
Summary
You can keep yourself and the kids on a schedule using common tech for family management, such as keeping track of time. Modern apps such as Maple and Sweepy are great for keeping track of tasks and chores, and some even offer excellent money management for kids. There are also web services for parents and children to get a better education at home. Popular platforms for learning new languages include National Geographic Kids, Udemy, and Duolingo.
