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Would you use "productivity and task-management software" to manage your home?

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Do you use work tools to manage your family?
Do you use work tools to manage your family?

I'm no stranger to Slack, Trello, Skype, WhatsApp and many other office communication and management systems, designed to keep busy teams working together and on schedule. 

I use a number of them in my daily job, and they are invaluable tools for communicating, sharing info and resources, and staying on track.

I've been to known to use Trello to get my techie husband to remember to do odd jobs around the house, and it is amazing how the system he uses in his job as a developer was able to get him to clear out our loft and re-organise our storage before we moved house. 

But at home we aim for a screen-free experience for our kids, and they're young enough to accept that we limit screen time to Friday Night Movie Night and a rare 20 minutes of Animal Planet on a Sunday morning.

So I was frankly horrified to read on an American news site, The Atlantic, about families who use Slack, Trello, Jira, Asana and other "productivity and task-management software" to manage their households.

Surely we don't need more reasons to get behind a screen? What happened to old-school talking to each other, and leaving notes on the fridge? Are kids really so scheduled that they need apps to keep track of their lives? 

I mean, I'm all for a family WhatsApp group to share news and arrange family lunches, but using tools labelled "productivity and task-management software" kinda takes the fun out it.


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Apparently it's becoming increasingly popular as a way for kids to keep on top of their chores, school work and goals, and for parents to keep track of goals for the week, to-do lists and activities. 

Goals for the week?

I wouldn't know where to start, beyond a general desire to make it through each day with at least a few laughs and minimal tantrums. Perhaps I'll understand better when my littles are obstinate teens?

Do you use "productivity and task-management software" to manage your home? Share your experience, I'd love to know what you use and if it works for you. 


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Read more:

Will getting a 'screen consultant' help you raise screen-free kids?

Are these new screen time guidelines for children under 5 realistic?

What is an appropriate screen time limit for teens? We could be back to square one


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