Three Ways Technology Can Help You Keep Your Peace of Mind July 14, 2015My LifeOff

All too often, technology is the cause of our mental stress. Experts say that using computer screens just before you go to bed chemically disrupts brain functions that regulate sleep. Worse still, a recent study shows social media makes us more unhappy and lonely than ever before. The very technology that is supposed to bring us peace, is often the thing that robs us of our peace of mind.

However, that is not always the case. If you happen to be a mom, you are already familiar with 10,000 things that can rob you of your peace. Technology is just one of them. But there are also many ways that technology can help you regain your lost peace of mind. Here are just three:

Home Security
There was a time when home security meant having a large, menacing dog patrolling the yard, frightening everyone who passed within 20 feet of the house. Unfortunately, this plan only intimidates people who were never intending to rob your house. The well prepared burglar comes with a juicy steak, and a tranquilizer gun.

Fortunately, technology offers a better source of peace in the form of a home security system that cannot be distracted by a tasty treat. Companies like ADT offers technology that goes beyond ear-splitting sirens. They offer options like cameras, web and mobile access, and two-way voice access. Some options are exclusive to specific plans. Compare ADT home security plans to get a better sense of the technology currently offered.

Family Tracking
Do you know exactly where your kids are right now? How about the one that is always saying that she is studying with her BFF, but in reality, is always someplace else? Oh, I see. You didn’t know about that. It is hard to keep your kids out of trouble if you don’t actually know where they are. Trust is not an option. They’re kids. It’s their job to get away with as much as they can. They are just doing their job. Fortunately, there is technology that can help you better do yours.

If everyone has iPhones, you already have all the technology built-in for tracking the kids’ whereabouts. You just need to turn on the Share My Location feature found in the Privacy setting for all the phones you want to track. For even more fine-grained tracking, there are a number of third-party apps for both relevant platforms. Wrestle with your conscience when your kids are adults. While you are responsible for them, track them like the NSA.

Entertainment Restrictions
If you give a 16 year-old a car, an allowance, a game console, and a room with a door that locks, they are going to experience content that you would rather they didn’t. But at 16, pick your battles wisely. They’re supposed to win sometimes.

Your preteens; however, are never supposed to win those battles. You have every right to insist on monitoring the content that fills their head during their formative years. Rather than being a hindrance, technology can be your biggest ally. On all smartphones and tablets, start with parental controls. You can restrict the type of content that can be shown on your child’s devices.

Mainstream services like Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime all have children’s programming. But if you want to avoid those outlets altogether, there are a number of kids-only services, including a new one just released from Nickelodeon, available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.

There is no doubt that the stresses faced by moms can sometimes seem overwhelming. Peace of mind can be hard to come by. While there will always be something to worry about, but the right tech can go a long ways toward easing those worries.

Photo by Michal-Kowalski

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