Gadgets We Use on the Daily with Two Toddlers

These are some of my favorite things we use every day that make my life a whisper easier.

1. The Light Up Duck (who is also depressed lol)

When we went to visit my Aunt in Denver, I was 5 months pregnant with Marigold and Angus was 2 ½ and she had this amazing duck light in our room. At first I laughed and thought, “oh my god how silly”. Turns out that this thing has been life changing. Angus used to have this in his crib and he would play until he fell asleep. We have since transitioned to just having one in each kid's room next to then slightly covered by a book or stuffed animal for ambient lighting. Angus tore the legs and beak off each duck but neither here nor there they work all night and charge very quickly. 

I seriously cannot praise these enough for safety, convenience, price and ease of use. I have even thought about getting one for us  next to our bed.

2. Kids Alarm Clock

This thing has proven to be awesome because of the green wake up light. Now, this won’t change your life instantly and I don’t know how Marigold will respond but Angus is pretty good at following expectations so this works for him. You set the ‘alarm’ for the time you want your kid to get out of their room. Ours unfortunately is set for 5:15AM lol but that was a gift when he was getting up at 4:30AM. It is an easy set up, the face blinks closed and open before bed and wake time and there is a yellow light 15 or 30 minutes before the green light. When Angus comes into our room he says, “Mom let’s start morning time, the green light's on.” I really appreciate this little gadget! My only desired change would be cordless.

3. Hatch Rest

I think most moms already have this but this thing is awesome. Each kid listens to rain each night, ironic since we live in Portland lol, and I leave ambient lighting on while they fall asleep. I do not like how the current 2nd generation is oriented on the app, I do not think it is as user friendly nor convenient but whatever, grateful to have it. I also use the timers to set nap time, bedtime and wake up time. I do this for Angus but haven't really put the time to set this up with the 2nd generation for Marigold because I'm annoyed about it. I never found a use for the small travel one but imagine if you do travel a lot it would be convenient. I use the timer to also turn on a soft light for wake up time as well like with the alarm clock.

4. Miku!

I love Miku. I love the stand to set it up. The ease of use with the app, you can add the breathing portions to make sure the kids are breathing, though it is not a fail safe, sometimes it can think a blanket is the kid. You can log in even if dad is home and you are not. I only don’t like that you cannot have both kids pulled up on the app simultaneously. LOVE the Miku!

5. Cosmo Together Smart Watch

There are not enough words to say how much we love this thing! Yes, a bit clunky but so easy for Angus to use and the app is great. I appreciate that it tells me when the watch turns off. There are a few small games that can be put on this but they mostly steer clear of this so it doesn't become just another screen. Parents have all the control of who can be called and how the watch is set up. We pay $20 a month to keep activation and for service. I couldn’t believe Apple nor Verizon offered a smart watch option for kids, a real missed opportunity if you ask me. I am really grateful I found Cosmo, it offers such piece of mind in large and new settings or when away with friends or family. The velcro band works best for us and fits his wrist just fine. LOVE THIS!

6. Dino Timers

Like I said, Angus is really good with expectations and these timers have been awesome and Anthony even uses them as kitchen timers. We use these to end most activities and initiate the next expectation, bedtime, end of screen time, time to potty, etc. They have a screen showing the count down of time and play a tune when they go off. They say, “Hello” and “Good bye”, which can be a bit creepy lol but we use these all day every day. Easy to use, loud, cute (we have a blue and a pink so each kid knows what timer is for who) and easy to charge. They stay charged for a long time. You can change the volume I just haven't put the effort to figure it out. 

7. Amazon Tablet

I couldn’t believe Apple didn't offer a kids tablet, they offer a mini ipad that can be sort of kid set up but not really. This thing is so durable! Grandpa talks about how impressed he is with these all the time, the kids stand on them and throw them and they still are standing. I have to say, the set up sucks. Not really user friendly BUT with that said the kids seem to intuitively know how to manage everything so maybe the issue is me as an adult lol. They come with the case, which I really appreciate and the parent controls are awesome. They have great battery life and are life savers. WE LOVE OUR TABLETS. I find this size to be right for the 1-3 age so far.