I joke occasionally with my sister that Google is raising my children… but the punch line is only partial exaggeration.
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Yes, there are a million reasons to despise technology, and it is 100% accurate to say that kids born since Y2K – as a general rule – are all too addicted to glowing screens (in fact, there was a great article in the New York Times last week on why we should let kids get bored again).
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However, stick with me for a minute:
I think many parents are quick to blame technology for consuming our kids’ lives… but it boils down to the rules we set, the exposure we give our kids and how much we actively coach and guide them.
When we invested in Google Home and Mini speakers, my primary goal was a system of wireless speakers for me to enjoy… plus the benefit of a few voice commands.
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I have been astonished at what a great tool Google Home has been for our kids. Again, plenty of parents worry about safety and security – but I find these concerns easily managed, and I believe the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
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Side note: we chose Google Home for a more information and search-engine oriented device, whereas I perceive Amazon’s Alexa as primarily a commerce or retail-oriented solution. With that said, Alexa has many of the same features – so if you’re Team Alexa, read on… and share your thoughts! There are some resources here for Alexa, too.
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Here are the primary ways Google Home has been kid-friendly at our house:
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Independence & Finding Solutions
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There’s no better time than rightthisminute for my kids to learn that they are going to need to find their own answers in life. I remind my kids regularly that I do not exist for their convenience and will not respond to questions such as “where are my shoes?”
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These days when they ask me what time it is or what the weather is going to be like tomorrow, I send them to Google. Our eight year old formed the habit of asking us every morning about the temperature as she made her decisions about getting dressed… and Google has spared my sanity by answering that question for her every. single. day.
Photo cred: Amazeum Summer Science Camp Crew
Incessant Questions & Curiosities
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Kids have questions. I am out of answers. When my eight year old asks me something I am not smart enough (or caffeinated enough) to answer, I call in the reinforcements: why don’t you ask Google?
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And just like that, I am no longer leading my children astray with made up answers as to why the sky is blue, how old the oldest person ever was, why we can’t fly or how taffy is made.
Issuing Commands
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Growing up, we had intercoms in some of the houses we lived in… and I thought they were so cool. Mom called us to dinner or ordered us to do things without yelling through the house (a pet peeve of mine). Recently, it occurred to me that our Google Home would probably function just like an intercom… lo and behold, it certainly does. I’m all about ringing that digital dinner bell.
Learning & Entertainment
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In my view, the verybestpart of Google Home is the constantly expanding array of audio games and learning activities. I 100% use it as a bribe: why yes, you may sit and play animal trivia with Google… as soon as your chores are done and PJs on!
I truly had no idea how expansive the options are for entertaining my kiddos. In fact, I finally compiled a list of all the voice commands for kids (yup, I’m giving it to you right here) and printed it out in a large, easily legible font.
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Ready for my final stroke of brilliance? I throw my kid in the bathtub and prop the list up where she can read it, and she will literally soak for an hour while verbally sparring and playing outer space trivia.
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Meanwhile? I pour myself a glass of wine and read. Cheers to co-parenting with Google.
