Parent Hacks

Parent Hacks is "just...genius." — Buzzfeed

Every new parent will love this clever, encouraging book.

Read more

Cell phone alarm helps announce transition times

in: Fun & Learning, Travel & Outings

We’re proponents of using the timer to announce transition times. Sara reminds us that we usually have one on us even while we’re out and about:

We all know that having something other than Mom or Dad dictating times and terms can often be helpful ("When the big hand on the clock hits 8 it will be time for your bath…") but what you may not realize is that you probably carry a tool around all the time that can help you set up these scenarios:  your cell phone.  Most cell phones have alarm clocks in them.   So, next time you’re at the playground and your child doesn’t want to go home, tell your child you will set the alarm clock on your cell phone for 5 minutes and then it will be time to go. 

The friend who told me this hack said it worked like a charm the first time, but that subsequents nights there were requests for "no phone, Daddy."  Your milemage may vary.

Tags: Cell phones, Parenting

Most recent posts

  • How to tighten pants without sewing
  • Can blogs rebuild America?
  • What feeds us

About Asha Dornfest

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast.

Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    November 3, 2006 at 11:21 am

    This works great for us! Bonus: we all have fun doing a little dance to the tune that the phone plays as an alarm. Can’t get that with an egg timer.

    A similar use when on the go–we use the cell phone timer to help moderate turn taking. When the cell phone rings, one kid cedes the toy or other object of desire to the other kid.

  2. jj says

    November 4, 2006 at 1:27 pm

    i use the alarm on my digital watch for this. of course, i still get barraged with, just two more minutes? pleeeeease? two more?

  3. Alisa Petersen says

    November 4, 2006 at 9:25 pm

    I’ve been doing this for about two weeks and it really works. Before we go to the park we determine the amount of time we’ll be there. I set the alarm once we actually reach the park. It’s understood that the kids can do two more “things” (trips down the slide, climb the net rope, etc.) and then we’re done. I’ve had no tears with this system. I love it.

  4. HRM says

    May 9, 2012 at 7:38 am

    I use my cellphone alarm to remind me when to give my daughter her meds. One less thing to have to remember!

  5. Jennifer G says

    July 15, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    I use the timer when I remember and if we are out at the park or playground, I take time to remind my son that if he leaves peacefully and I get to enjoy our entire trip that I will be more likely to take him there again (“if you want to get to do this again next week, let’s go now while Mommy is still having fun and happy”). That *usually* works.

Buy the Book

Featured Posts

A tool to help kids respond to unfriendly teasing

6 satisfying meals to cook with a hotel coffeemaker or iron

How to tighten pants without sewing

About the Author

Asha Dornfest is the author of Parent Hacks and other books, and former co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast. More about Asha »

Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links when linking to some products, which means I get a small commission if you click through and buy. There’s no cost to you, but these commissions help me pay the costs associated with running this website. Thank you for supporting independent writers!

Copyright © 2023 All Rights Reserved | PARENT HACKS is a registered trademark owned by Asha Dornfest | Terms/Privacy Policy