How I trained my smart home to be a third parent

My tips for using the connected home with children

“Why would I want a smart home?” It’s a common question as connected devices become more ubiquitous and pressure on “normal people” to start buying internet-enabled products mounts. My answer is always, “Do you have a problem you’d like to solve?” Or, “Do you have kids?”

The smart home is manna from heaven for parents. It is literally the third parent (or second) we’ve been asking for since these tiny bundles of joy burst into our lives. As early as 2016, 70% of parents in the U.S. owned at least one IoT device, and more than a third wanted to buy another one because they believe smart devices make them better parents.

Read the full article here.

10 Home Gadgets at CES 2019: Talking Toilets, Beer-Ordering Fridges, and More - Dwell.com

Sleek design meets smart technology. Innovative solutions produce stylish results. And of course, there are robots and talking toilets.

Held in Las Vegas, Nevada, every January, the annual consumer electronics show CES is where we get a sneak peek at the latest tech gadgets we'll be buying in the next few years, and a glimpse into the future of technology.

Read the full article here.

Tech Talk: Start Your Smart Home For Under $200 (Video) - Dwell.com

A smart home doesn’t have to be an expensive home. Here are three ways you can add some cool, connected capabilities for under $200.

The idea of a fully automated smart home can be a little overwhelming, both in concept and cost. But you don’t need to go all-in on connected tech to benefit from it. Instead, install a few devices that address specific needs, provide some neat modern conveniences, and cost a lot less. 

Read the full article and watch the video here.

3 smart solutions that will help make bedtime better for everyone - Omaha.com

Since my first child was born, bedtime has been the bane of my existence. From the early days through to elementary school, I really struggled to crack the nighttime routine.

Until I made my home smart.

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Pros & Cons Of Living With Smart Lighting - The Green Living Guide

A few years ago, I moved into a new home and installed smart LED lighting throughout as part of an extensive remodel. In this post, I will share with you my personal experience living with smart lighting — including the benefits and the problems that I’ve encountered along the way.

Read the full article here.

5 Ways Smart Home Tech Can Keep Your Kids Safe | Parenting Squad

Home security once felt like a boring, expensive concept — call up a legacy security company, hand over a pile of cash, and then forget about it until disaster strikes (or your daughter sneaks in through the back window and sets it off at 2 a.m.).

Before you had kids, home security was probably one of those things you thought you should have, but never got around setting up. But once you have a family, that parental urge to fiercely protect your young finally drives you to open your wallet.

Read more here

A Home Automation Guide for Apartment Living - HotPads Blog

If you live in an apartment, perhaps you’ve heard the terms smart home and home automation and shrugged them off as the realm of suburban homeowners. Today’s smart home devices, however, are being designed with portability in mind, making them perfect for renters. If you want to lower your utility bills, increase your safety and make your apartment more comfortable, it’s time to tune in to the smart home revolution... Read more here.

How to Use Smart Lighting like a Third Parent for TodaysMama.com

http://todaysmama.com/2015/08/how-to-use-smart-lighting-like-a-third-parent/