Technology has proven to have its ups and downs. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably seen countless articles and heard plenty of news stories about how technology is harmful to your kids and family.

You undoubtedly have days where you wish you could unplug everything. But, as a parent, there are some aspects of technology that can genuinely help you to be better.

happy father and son hanging out in a hammockThat doesn’t just mean using the latest tech tools to teach your kids something new. Technology can help you to be a better parent to your children, but it can also provide you with the tools and resources you need to focus on yourself from time to time. When you feel less stressed and better overall, you can take better care of your kids, too.

Here’s how technology can help you to become a better parent.

Access to Endless Information

Kids ask a lot of questions. They have a lot of work to do for school. And, for as much as you may know, there are times in life where you might not have the answer to something. The Internet is a wealth of information—but that’s easy to forget when it’s only used for things like social media and YouTube.

A quick Google search can help you to work with your child on their school project or answer a question that you may not know. A limitless supply of information is at your fingertips, which is something previous generations of parents didn’t have.

Sustaining Connections

People like to give social media a hard time. As a parent, though, it can be a useful tool to feel connected with people. Your busy schedule might not make it possible to see friends and family as much as you’d like.

Or, maybe some family members live far away. Social media not only allows you to talk to them regularly, but you can share photos or videos that keep them in the loop of what’s happening in your children’s lives.

Managing Your Schedule

Do you often feel like you’re running from place to place with your kids? One child might have a doctor’s appointment while the other needs to get to their baseball game. Meanwhile, you have a meeting at work tomorrow morning for which you need to prepare.

Sound familiar?

Technology allows you to stay organized and to manage your schedule, especially if you create a shareable calendar. Google offers free calendars that you can share with your spouse, babysitter, or whoever might benefit from it so you can let them know what’s going on and where you’ll be.

Staying Connected with Your Children

There will probably always be some debate about whether kids should have cell phones. Or, at least how old they should be before getting one. It’s true; there are some drawbacks to kids having phones. They require monitoring, and security measures should always be put in place.

But, if your child is old enough to have a smartphone, it’s a great way to stay connected with them, too.

You can text throughout the day to know your child’s whereabouts. You can be their go-to person if they need help or have questions because communication is open and comfortable. It certainly doesn’t replace your in-person relationship, but it’s nice to be able to stay connected throughout the day.

Does technology have its drawbacks? Yes. But, using it in creative, productive ways can help you to be a better parent, take better care of yourself, and be more present with your kids when you’re together.

For more helpful parenting tips and support, please reach out to our office today.

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