Mar
2023

Smart Ways To Use the iPhone and Apps for Kids

How to use the iPhone when playing with kids? Of course, there are plenty of apps for kids. Let’s see how we can use them more creatively.

  • Use it as a bribe or a reward. Anyone who has ever been a parent can tell you that it is no easy feat to discipline or raise a child. Having said that, if your child is into the iPhone, you might as well use it to your advantage in every way possible. One of those ways is use it as a bribe or a reward. If there is a specific task that you need your child to accomplish and he refuses to, use the iPhone as a bribe. It can also be used as a reward in situations where you feel your child deserves recognition for her hard work.
  • Use it for educational purposes. Who says it isn’t possible to both have fun and learn all at the same time? With the iPhone, it most definitely is. Pick out games that are both entertaining and educational and sit down with your child and show him or her how much fun it can be. Your child will thank you in the future.
  • Use it to pass the time. Gone are the days when children would throw tantrums or complain incessantly due to long waiting times-whether in restaurants, dentist appointments, or what have you. Pull out the iPhone and let your kids enjoy it while waiting.
  • Use it as an opportunity to bond. These are the days when it isn’t very common for families to get together and bond. But the iPhone can change that for you and your kids. There are countless games on the app store that the whole family can participate in and play together. Remember that kids grow up so fast. So seize every opportunity to be with them while you still can.
  • Use it as a “lite” punishment. Believe it or not, the iPhone can be a useful tool for when your child has done something wrong. For instance, if your son has called his sister names or took her candy, you can punish him by taking away his iPhone privileges for a week or two. Psychologists say that limiting the pleasure is the most effective way to make the child realize his faults.

These are only some of the ways you can use the iPhone as a tool to educate your child and keep him or her engaged while you are getting much needed relaxation time. Feel free to give these tips your own personal spin or add your own twist to it to make the experience more enjoyable for your kids.

May
2022

Three Apps for Fitness Freaks

If your new years resolution was to get in shape, and if that said resolution is still going strong then you might want to take a look at these apps to help you continue your journey.

All of these apps are available on the iPhone. Android devices unfortunately do not have GAIN Fitness

Endomondo

Endomondo is a really neat app. You can track pretty much anything outdoors in there whether it be a nice leisurely stroll through the park or an intense bike ride in the mountains.

The app will track your journey via GPS and save it using Google Maps so that you can look over it later. You can also take frequent workouts and try to beat your personal best. Also, using the GPS, the app can track your speed and uses it to create mile long splits to tell you if you slowed down towards the end of that bike ride.

All of the data is stored on your profile online where you can look on a calendar to see what days you worked out on and how good you did. The online portal also compiles some useful statistics on your workouts and you can even compete against others in your area on trails that they have set up.

I highly recommend this app, there is a free version which should be all that you need.

GAIN Fitness

This is for replacing that costly personal trainer. The app will customize the workout based upon what it learns about you. The workouts are customized based upon your age, weight, goals and earlier workouts. Don’t have a full set of workout equipment? Don’t worry, the app will only customize to what you have.

There is, once again, a web portal for the app that allows you to see data on a bigger, expanded screen.

The app is five dollars and is not available on Android.

Calorie Counter by MyFitnessPal

Input your goal weight into this calorie counter and it will do its best to figure out how much nutrition you’ll be needing each day. Unlike traditional calorie counting methods though, there is no real work once you get started. All you have to do is snap a picture of the barcode on the food you eat, input a portion size and watch those calories pile up. If you input your workouts too then the app will calculate if any more calories are needed.

This app is available on iOS and Android so you have no excuses.