Fashion/Beauty / Lifestyle / Love

10 Times The Apple Watch Made Parenting Easier

I’ve had my Apple watch for a couple of weeks now and I think it’s a great little gadget. Here’s how I thought The Apple Watch Made Parenting Easier for me.

Time-keeping

Top of the list, it tells the time!!! OMG, yes, okay, you’re probably shouting “That’s what a watch is for!!!” Hear me out on this one. As someone who hasn’t consistently worn a watch for the last 10+ years and probably have been without one permanently for the last 5, it’s refreshing to actually raise my wrist to find the time there. No longer do I have to ask someone or fish my phone out whilst juggling a toddler! Plus it’s accurate, and when Summer/Winter time changes, I don’t have to worry whether to move time forward or backward. And for the price of this little gadget, it does so much more than just tell the time.

Time on the Apple Watch Customisable Face on the Apple Watch

Style

The apple watch is functional, yet stylish. This piece of art itself is a fashion statement and Apple have done a great job designing a piece that is appealing, sturdy and beautiful. Additionally, the fact that you can customise the watch face ad straps means it can match your outfit and mood. Voila! This mummy is fashionable, cool and up to date with an accessory that is unique and personal. Of course, style doesn’t help with direct parenting, but at least part of my appearance looks like I’m organised, even if I’m not.

Customise Watch Face with your favourite photos

Staying active

I’m a working mum, and most days, I would be sitting in an office pretty much in front of a computer all day long! With the Apple watch, it reminds me that I need to Stand up and take a walk. Basically, it reminds me to get off my butt and move more. The handy Activity App lets me set targets and tells me how far I am from reaching my daily goal. Each week, it gives me a summary and adjusts my target. Pushing me that little bit more. I know I don’t need an expensive gadget to tell me that I’m not exercising, but having this actually makes me appreciate when I do make an effort. As a mum, I fret about my families health and wellbeing all the time, so it’s about time I focused a bit on myself too.

Workout App for even more accurate recording Activity ring chart shows progress daily and weekly Activity data shows how far you are away from target

Siri

After getting the Apple watch, I have truly warmed up to Siri. Now I’m that woman who talks to Siri multiple times throughout the day telling it to remind me of things. This is especially useful if you have a busy working and/or personal life, but top that with mummy brain and it really is a life saver.

Siri on Apple watch is easy to use and more accessible



Sometimes, when I tell #JasperBean to time out in the corner, instead of staring at the clock. I will set a reminder by saying: “Hey Siri, remind me to get Jasper in 2 minutes”. Now I can take those 2 precious minutes to calm myself down without getting more agitated by time watching! I’ve also never worked out how to use the timer on the oven and totally forget how long it’s been running until I smell something burning… Oops! I get that Siri is on the iPhone, but nothing beats the convenience of having her (or him) on my wrist. However, now I just look like a crazy women lifting my arm to say: “Hey Siri, remind me to… at…” and then carry on with whatever, this takes seconds and that’s it. So I can live with looking crazy if it makes my life a little easier. Boom!

Reminders on the Apple Watch

Notifications

One of the most used features of my Apple watch is notifications. I carry my phone with me everywhere, but a lot of the times, this is in my bag on silent. So when S calls me or more importantly the nursery or vet. I pretty much will miss it. However, with the watch’s vibration notifications, I am able to privately and discreetly glance at my watch without whipping out the phone to see if it’s something urgent that I need to deal with. This is extremely useful when I am in a meeting or appointment. And, I can actually answer the call on my watch, well not when I’m in a meeting, unless I want everyone to hear us on speakerphone!

Notifications on the Apple Watch Reminders on the Apple Watch

I have also synced my calendar onto my watch, so I can see what appoinments or meetings are coming up with a gentle tap or turn. You might think having notifications on my wrist is going to be annoying and take up so much of my time as it’s far more accessible. But in reality, I have actually had more free time away from technology! Why? Because I no longer have to take out my phone every time it pings or vibrates and then being distracted by Facebook, emails, Safari, Whatsapp or the news. I have set up my Apple watch so that it only notifies me on what’s important. I’m extremely thankful for this, because now #JasperBean doesn’t always see me holding my phone or pressing something on it. The Apple watch being a great technology has actaually unhooked me on the over reliance and addiction to technology. This is something that I thought no amount of money can buy, but it just shows that it is possible.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay already makes it super easy to pay. Now that I have it on my wrist, there is no need to dig out the phone or wallet underneath the diapers, bottles, snacks, loveys, toys… etcetc. Shopping has remarkably been less stressful, and no more holding up the queue! Additionally, I also feel safer that I don’t need to take out my phone (see the general theme here?) or wallet in the streets. As there has been multiple reports of phone/wallet snatchings by people on motorbikes recently.

Apple Pay on the Apple Watch

Taking photos

I can see all my favourite photos on my wrist! But that’s not why I love it. The fact that the Apple watch has made taking photos so much easier has hearts pounding out of my eyes! I can never rely on S taking random photos of me and #JasperBean and every photo looks like we’ve had to “organise” it. So now I can take photo’s of me and my little boy that don’t include my face taking up half the screen. This is because the Apple watch acts like a remote control for the camera on your iPhone. It also shows you a preview of what you’re capturing as well!! Which means no more running to my allocated space within seconds of my timer going off (and missing) or selfie sticks hitting someone else’s head.

Favourite photo album on the Apple Watch

Lost phone

As mentioned earlier, after 2.5 years, mummy brain has decided to stay. I have my iPhone with me most of the time, but when I decide to put it down… I don’t always succeed at locating it! Cue: S. He would offer to call it and we will stay very very quiet to listen to the vibration, as yes, I keep my phone silenced. This would work 99% of the time if S was around, but when he’s not, I’m at a lost. Scrambling around the house, digging in toy drawers, kitchen cabinets, some random shelf or table… but now! Cue: The Apple watch ping! When this is activated, it causes my iPhone to sound off a string of loud beeps even when it is on silent! Finding my iPhone has never been easier! I just need to make sure we’re in the same-ish location!

Phone Calls/Messages

Everyone knows that you can take phone calls on your Apple Watch, but did you know that you can still answer it if little one was watching “Peppa Pig” or some random Youtube video on your iPhone? No wrestling or meltdowns in public! Yay!! Receiving and replying to Messages and Whatsapp directly on my wrist with voice, scribble or pre-set words/phrases is much easier than I thought it would be as well. But, there is no native Whatsapp app on the Apple watch, so it’s not great if that’s what you rely on for messaging. However, push notification works a treat!

Phone calls on the Applw Watch Replying to messages and emails on the Apple Watch

Bonus: Bedtime stories

Yes, you’ve read that right. Siri can tell you a bedtime story! It might just need a few virtual nudges or pleas. Be persistent and ask nicely, Siri will eventually give in. It’s not going to read “The Three Little Pigs” or “Gruffalo”, but when Siri gave in and told us her (his) story, it certainly did put a smile on our faces. This is the kind of small gesture that makes robots seem more personal and human, just like Wall-E from Pixar. #JasperBean loves it. I love it!

Siri Story telling

So, are you going to get one too?

We have survived without a smart watch for centuries and obviously it’s not a must have necessity to function on a daily basis. Yes, I know I don’t need it, but I really wanted it. My Apple watch does not “own” me, but it does complement my life and makes a lot of today’s technological advances simpler and easier to steer. Especially if you use the Apple suite at home or work, it’s nice that they are able to ‘talk’ to one another. 🙂



Have you had experience with the Apple watch? If you do, has the Apple watch made parenting easier for you as well? Or has it it been relegated to the bottom of your drawer already? I’m still learning, so please do share your tips with me! I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading and until next time…

Love, MsMamaBean x


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Comments

14 November 2017 at 11:44 am

LOVE my apple watch, I don’t know how I used to cope without it! I am such an Apple Sheep! 🙂 #dreamteam



14 November 2017 at 12:33 pm

Goodness the possibilities are endless, it really has got it all #triedtested



14 November 2017 at 12:57 pm

My husband has an apple watch and I don’t think he could be without his now!



14 November 2017 at 3:03 pm

My husband really wants and Apple watch and I’ve always said no, but now I’m reconsidering!



14 November 2017 at 3:13 pm

i absolutely love my apple watch!! it is so helpful



14 November 2017 at 3:47 pm

I’ve been debating on whether or not I should get an apple watch for what seems like FOREVER now!! This post has definitely got me leaning towards grabbing one!



14 November 2017 at 6:22 pm

That is awesome! Thanks for showing me all of it’s functions. Never was totally sure what it all did.





14 November 2017 at 6:47 pm

This is so cool! We got one for my hubby for Christmas and I’m excited to see everything that it can do!



15 November 2017 at 3:18 am

I have been considering getting an apple watch and I just can’t make the decision.



15 November 2017 at 3:58 am

I LOVE my apple watch! The 2 things it helps me with is being able to answer the phone on my watch while holding both kid’s hands and also my girls are highly amused with having Minnie Mouse tell them what time it is LOL



15 November 2017 at 4:05 am

Great features of the apple watch! I’ve been eyeing one for awhile but haven’t purchased it yet…



15 November 2017 at 8:51 pm

Great, now I have to go buy an apple watch lol. All good points!



16 November 2017 at 1:35 am

Ok, bedtime stories, that’s brilliant! I love using the find my phone because I lose it daily and the fitness is my favorite motivation.

Thanks for sharing,

danielle

momwifefoodie.com



ttd09
16 November 2017 at 2:47 am

I have an iwatch too and it has been such a savor. I haven’t used the siri feature on it, but I think I will start. I always forget about her, haha. Great tips.

Lydia
ChicAndModish.com



16 November 2017 at 9:46 pm

Bedtime Story? Genius. I’m trying this tonight!!



16 November 2017 at 10:21 pm

My little brother has one of these and my mom loves it.



17 November 2017 at 12:15 am

I didn’t know it could do so much! Makes me want to look into it more.



17 November 2017 at 12:26 am

I would love an Apple watch. I’m a little behind though and don’t have any Apple products.



17 November 2017 at 12:56 am

These are great features! I don’t have an apple watch, but now I would consider it 🙂



abroadnamedpatrice2016
17 November 2017 at 3:05 am

Great post! I have been considering getting an apple watch. Anything that makes life and momming easier, I’m in!



Chris
17 November 2017 at 1:24 pm

An Apple watch is on the top of my list for Christmas! It’s amazing how much they can do!



17 November 2017 at 2:24 pm

I can’t believe how tiny the screen is! Looks like it’s literally just like having your phone on your wrist.



17 November 2017 at 10:37 pm

I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Apple watch. I’d love to have one! Thank you for linking this to #DreamTeam!



18 November 2017 at 3:21 am

Wow! I didn’t know the apple watch could do all of these things! So cool 🙂



Kristen
18 November 2017 at 3:25 am

I think having Siri so available would be a great thing for me. I am constantly grabbing at my phone to talk to her!



18 November 2017 at 9:06 pm

I have never paid much attention to the Apple watch but it sounds awesome! I have a FitBit which I love and I need to explore a lot more of what it offers! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday



20 November 2017 at 7:17 pm

It sounds awesome, yet my wrist is naked. Boo! #dreamteam xoxo



24 November 2017 at 12:44 am

i have not planned to get one yet but i do need something to keep me inspired to keep moving and to help me from forgetting things 🙂



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