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Great Technologies for Working Mothers
By Alicia Rockmore & Sarah Welch
Mothers are working nearly 20 hours more per month than they were two decades ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With all the extra hours comes our obsession with work/life balance, which for many women means keeping track of everything and everyone. Since children's social calendars are frequently as packed as their parents', agendas will inevitably clash. Managing the demands of both requires plenty of planning and constant communication. Fortunately for working mothers there are a host of new technologies available that will allow you to manage your schedule and theirs.
Push-Button Planning
Google's calendar seamlessly and simply integrates every family member's independent schedule into one combined view. Each family member registers for a personal calendar online and then shares it with the others at the push of a button. Because the Google calendar easily links to existing Microsoft Outlook or Macintosh iCal programs, setup is a snap. calendar.google.com; FREE
Streamlined Communication
For those days when nothing goes according to plan, you need to be able to communicate easily with your children. Older children with their own cell phones are accessible – but what about your younger children? Many parents don't feel comfortable giving cell phones to their pre-teens, who may not use good judgment about whom they talk to. The makers of Firefly Mobile have created a cell phone that specifically meets the needs of younger kids (8-12) and their parents. It's a small sturdy device designed to fit smaller hands with five keys, cool colors and lights that make it easy and fun for children to stay in touch with the people that matter most. Parents use a PIN to program up to 22 outgoing numbers and assign specific speed dial keys for mom and dad. You can also program the phone to only receive calls from programmed callers. "The Firefly phone provides parents with peace of mind, knowing that they can always communicate with their child," says Robin Abrams, CEO of Firefly Mobile. fireflymobile.com; $99
Ingenious Monitoring
If you've ever lost your child, even for a fleeting moment, you know how terrifying it can be. Working moms – and their nannies and babysitters – can now keep track of children in busy places with the IonKids System. A two-part device, it enables parents to set a safe and manageable range, say 350 feet, for children to wander. If your little one ventures beyond that range, a watch-like device on their arm beeps, calling them back to base station. And a hand-held indicator for adults pinpoints their exact location.ion-kids.com; $250
Rockmore and Welch are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, Inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they're responsible for too!). getbuttonedup.com
