This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
The world of technology is growing each year, and the niches within it are as well. These days, you can utilize technology to increase your income, learn new skills, and even go to university and earn a degree. It also allows us to connect to people around the world with an ease unknown before.
If you’re a parent looking to utilize technology to improve your parenting skills and make your family life a little simpler, we’ve got ten great options here. Check out our list of the top ten best parenting tools and technologies to try in 2022.
Telehealth Apps
In 2022, health is at the forefront of most people’s minds, especially for our vulnerable family members, like kids. That’s why telehealth apps are an excellent invention to try. You can also download some on your computer if you prefer not to use a smartphone.
The apps can let you connect with online doctors and mental health professionals. Some of these resources are available through a quick google search over a website, as well. Your child can video chat with their doctor and get prescriptions from the safety of their own bed. You can sleep soundly knowing your child isn’t at risk of catching Covid-19 from a busy doctor’s office.
Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum such as a Rumba is an excellent option for the busy parent. The vacuum goes around your home throughout the day, and some even allow you to program routes and certain rooms. The vacuum will make a map of your home the first time you use it and will avoid areas that are blocked by furniture, including no-go areas that you program.
These vacuums are easy to program and use and often come with a charging station that the vacuum can drive itself to when it is low on battery. Make sure to get one that can pick up pet hair if you have pets, or your vacuum might get clogged.
Play Kitchen and Play Chores
Children learn best by doing things with their own hands, and teaching your kids has never been easier than with the option to purchase a play kitchen and play chores, such as a play washing machine. You can teach your children the importance of kitchen safety with tools made for their small hands that won’t hurt them.
Children love to play, so adding some learning into their playtime never hurts.
Long-Distance Video Chat Robot
If you have to travel a lot for work or are often gone from home for long periods of time, you may want to try a long-distance robot. These robots or devices allow you to speak to your children over video and perform tasks through the robot. The robot will sit by the child’s bed at night, and you can give them a goodnight story and talk to them without leaving the office.
Of course, human activity and socialization are important to a child’s development, so always make sure an adult is present with your children and can give them the love and affection they need.
Parenting Forums and Online Groups
Many parents are facing the same dilemmas as you. For that reason, online parenting forums and Facebook groups are a great way to ask the opinion of other parents and learn new tools and techniques for parenting. You can join very specific groups, as well, such as groups for LGBT parents or groups for parents with mixed cultural heritages.
Timer
Timers are old-school but super important. Teaching kids about time management can be tricky. With a timer, you can remind the children when their TV time is up or when they should get started on a chore. Giving kids certain structures in their playtime and day-to-day life can help them learn structure when they start to go to school.
Mental and Physical Health Apps for Kids
If you have an iPad or device for your children, you might want to download a mental or physical health app for them. These apps are specifically designed for kids and can guide them through short games and exercises to learn more about their bodies and minds.
Monthly Family Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are one of the coolest inventions of our time, and kids love surprises. You can choose a themed subscription box, such as a superhero or nerdy box, or even a box with a new toy or puzzle every month. All you have to do is pay a monthly fee and personalize your profile to your children so they always receive things they like.
It’s a great way to discover new and up-and-coming products that you might not have seen in the stores.
Kid-Friendly Smartphone
We all know the dangers of smartphones and social media for young kids. In fact, it has been shown that social media for teens increases body image issues in young girls. For that reason, some people have invented family-safe devices that can’t access non-kid-friendly or pre-approved content. Some even allow the parents to monitor the things being viewed through another device.
Montessori Kit
Montessori kits come from the Montessori school learning curriculum, which is all about letting kids explore and learn from their environment instead of being forced or structured into something they’re not interested in.
For example, a kit may allow the child to experiment with multiple things at once and gives them the choice of what they want to do each time they play. You might see stacking blocks, coloring pages, books, and logic-based puzzles. Laying these out in front of your child will help you learn where they might have an affinity, as they’ll often go for the item that they’re most curious about.
Conclusion
These are our top parenting tools and technologies in 2022. Try some out, and let us know what you think! If you’d like to learn more about parenting tips and tricks, you can check out BetterHelp’s awesome advice column here: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/parenting/. You can even learn more about how to get online mental health help.
