Family of the week with Denise

My name is Denise, my husband and I have 3 children — Jax who is 11, Parker who is 7 and Laney who is 4. Jax has sensory processing disorder so we have been dealing with different kinds of learning styles our whole parent-hood career. Parker struggles with executive function issues, staying on task, and remembering routines. Laney is in preschool and we are starting to notice some behaviors that we think might be easier to correct now to avoid problems in the future.

We have tried color charts, picture schedules, responsibility boards. You name it. The problem is following through. We always have the best intentions, but sometimes life just gets in the way of even the best laid plans.

My husband and I both work full time — we have mixed, varying schedules and once you throw the activities and commitments into the mix, staying on a routine is complicated. We have tried color charts, picture schedules, responsibility boards. You name it. The problem is following through. We always have the best intentions, but sometimes life just gets in the way of even the best laid plans.

Being a busy family means family time together with all 5 of us is rare and coveted. I hate spending it fighting with the kids about things they should have completed, chores undone, or homework forgotten. Our favorite things to do include swimming, going to the park/amusement park, board games, and just hanging out together.

I started researching this watch after we sought a psychologist for my middle son — we needed help with his behaviors. (He’s fine at school, they’re all home related.) We have been working on being more consistent, but it’s really challenging when he really cannot remember the tasks from day to day. He struggles with visual processing (maybe dyslexia? We are still trying to figure him out!) so a chart didn’t work, so we tried pictures, but sometimes that frustrated him too. That causes him to become angry and upset, the yelling that happens in the morning is unbelievable.

Since we have started going to behavior therapy, it’s getting better, but I think adding this watch will push him over the top for being successful on his own.

With icons to represent those simple things, he can keep track and have accountability. He will be able to feel accomplished and in control.

Everyday things such as our morning routine are a challenge with Parker. Get dressed, brush your teeth, eat, get your backpack. We have had this routine for 5 years now and he’s still not mastered it. With icons to represent those simple things, he can keep track and have accountability. He will be able to feel accomplished and in control. Other icons like feed the dog, homework, reading time, etc will be icing on the cake.

With my 4 year old, Laney, she can use similar routines now to set her up for success in the long term.

I’m really excited about the possibility of blue tooth or something similar so I can send him a reminder to stay on track or even calm down. No one will have to know but us and he won’t feel so different. If multiple users could have that ability, we could easily change the course of his school day, where Parker also struggles with staying on task, multi step directions and routines.

I cannot wait to get these watches. If they’re even half as good as I hope, they will literally change our lives.