What we really want: Alone time and sleep. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Mother’s Day is once again upon us. I’m a mom and survey (of my mom and non-binary parent friends) says that what most of us want is more sleep and/or alone time. Equal pay and compensation for emotional labor would be great too, but please, for the love of all things holy, at least give us more breaks.
Additionally, we’ll accept presents. For the record, we like a lot of the same stuff you’ll find on Father’s Day tech gift guides, but in the interest of equal representation, here are some solid suggestions for tech gifts to make the tired, crowded lives of the moms and non-dads you love a little easier in 2017.
Enjoy the silence with Sony MDR-ZX770BN headphones. CNET
Noise canceling headphones: Kids are rackety. Dogs bark. You probably snore. Give the gift of quiet time with this sanity-saving device. Check out CNET’s guide to the Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2017. Or just go with their cheapest pick, the Sony MDRZX770BN Bluetooth and Noise Canceling Headset, which sells from $75 on Amazon and can be used wirelessly or not.
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Audiobooks, meditation apps, and music streaming: Canceling the noise is good, but filling up that silence with some quality listening material is even better. Consider an Audible membership ($14.95/month) or check out Libro.fm ($14.99/month) if your parental object of affection would rather support indie bookstores. Apps like Buddhify ($2.99) and Calm ($12.99/month) offer mindfulness training for stress reduction, which, to be clear, would benefit the whole family. Don’t forget the soothing power of music streaming services. How does one choose between Spotify, Rdio, Tidal, and the rest? CNET can help with that too.
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Neato Botvac Connected Robot Vacuum. Gimme. CNET
Home tech: Stop. Think long and hard about how your caregiver-of-honor will feel about receiving, for example, a robot vacuum. Some people (me) would fall in love with you all over again. Some might want to throttle you for gifting them a sexist cleaning tool. Know your recipient. Also consider the digital assistance possibilities of the Amazon Echo ($179.99), which conveniently syncs up with the iRobot Roomba series and Neato robot vacuums, though CNET says Google Home ($129.99) offers better voice control for Neato vacs than the Echo. Which robot vac is right for your family? CNET breaks that down here. Torn between the two smart speakers? Read this.
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Stash one at work, home, in your car, and travel bag.
Mobile tech: Parents love taking pictures. Help them take better ones with clip-on smartphone lenses like this universally compatible kit from from Aukey ($11.49). Get them in the picture more often too with a CamKix Bluetooth Camera Shutter Remote Control ($7.49). And look out for their smartphone battery life with battery packs or battery cases. Plus, this four-pack of colorful, waterproof smartphone pouches ($15.99) is the only real must-have on this list. We all know moms (et al.) can’t have any nice things around you kids (not without major ruggedization measures anyway).
Are you a mom or non-dad parent? What’s on your tech wishlist?
