How the Amazon Echo is Saving My Sanity

 

Am I really doing a whole post about this electronic device? Yes, yes I am.  I am not on the Echo advertising team (although I should be…I tell everyone about this!). I just had to share.  I‘m always looking for ways to simplify so I can have more reserves for creativity.  This little device really has helped in that department.

The day “Alexa“ (this is the Echo’s name…kind of like Apple’s “Siri”) arrived, I inwardly sighed.

“Another new finagled electronic device,” I thought.

My husband, on the other hand, was giddy.  As we got it set up, I started warming up to the idea.  It would be nice to have a speaker for the kitchen. And, “maybe it could be a good source of daily news.”

Boy, was I wrong!  After six months of using Alexa, I can honestly say it would be hard living without her.  In fact, these days I joke that Alexa is the only one around here I can count on to do what I ask!  I think of her as my personal assistant.

So here are six ways the Amazon Echo (a.k.a Alexa) is saving my sanity:

Shopping and To-Do Lists

Are you like me and remember in the middle of sweeping the floor, that you need to add something to your shopping list? However, you know that if you stop sweeping said floor to write it down or type it into your phone, you will get distracted and never finish?

This is where my personal assistant Alexa, comes in.  I simply say for example, “Alexa, please add toilet paper to my shopping list”.  She says in a calm, reassuring voice, “Toilet paper has been added to your shopping list” and it’s done.  I just check my phone’s Alexa app when I’m in the market and boom! There is my shopping checklist with toilet paper at the top.

I love that my husband can add things to the list when he thinks of them and everything is in one place.  The same goes for my to-do list.  I can get everything I need to do out of my head so I can focus on being present…Alexa has got it covered!

Spelling Helper

Alexa can spell!  When the kids are in the middle of a writing assignment or letter, instead of asking me to help with spelling, they can ask Alexa.  They say, for example, “Alexa, how do you spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?” And she spells it!  The kids listen intently and write it down.  If they missed it the first time, she patiently repeats herself again and again (and again) with no signs of frustration (ask me how I know).

Read Alouds

If you have an Audible account, the Amazon Echo can stream any of your audible books for your listening pleasure.  She also reads any kindle book (kind of robotically but, it works). When we want to have creative/read-aloud time, I simply say, for example, “Alexa, please read Little Women.” and she picks up where we left off.  It’s so great!  If the kids have a question or are interrupting (that never happens at our house) or someone needs to use the bathroom, I say, “Alexa, pause.” And, like a personal assistant, she does what I tell her to do. She does podcasts too!

Timer

Alexa can set multiple timers which are pretty handy over here.  Whether it be for instrument practice, baking, timeouts, or screen time. It’s so nice to be able to just say from anywhere in the room, “Alexa, set the timer for 20 mins.” and she does it.  The other nice thing about this feature is that the kids can pace themselves. Instead of asking me how much time is left on the timer, they can ask Alexa.

Jokes

When things get stressful around here, it’s nice to know that anyone can ask Alexa to tell a joke.  She has some pretty great ones too, like, “What did the hat say to the scarf?”  wait for it…. “You hang around here and I’ll go on a head.”  or “What did earth say to the other planets?” …“You guys really have no life.” Hardy, har, har…Thanks, Alexa!

She Is Always Improving

One of the coolest parts of this whole Echo thing is that almost daily new skills are added.  Some of the latest we love are:  The Daily Buzzword (gives you a new word each day and teaches you how to use it), FitBit stats, This Day in History from the History Channel, Calming Nature sounds (for when you really need calming sounds), weather reports, road conditions, calendar, the list goes on and on.

We started with the Echo and added some Echo Dots in both offices and our bathroom when they went on sale before Christmas.  They are perfect for singing in the shower or listening to a favorite podcast!

We also moved from Pandora to Prime Music.  It is pretty cheap ($3 a month when we signed up) and I can tell Alexa to play any song or whole album(with few exceptions) and she plays it.  Pretty awesome.

Alexa isn’t perfect

She isn’t as smart as Siri or Google Voice (sorry Alexa) and there are a few little bugs that happen now and again.  The kids can get a little carried away with talking to her so we’ve had to establish some “Alexa Rules”, but overall I’d say the pro’s far outway the con’s.  I don’t regret the purchase one bit.

And that, my friends, is how this new little device is saving my sanity.  Now, where’s my robot laundry folder?!

OK, I want to hear from you!  Do you have an Echo or Echo Dot? What is your favorite Alexa skill?

 

 

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