GETTING kids to eat their greens, or tucking them into bed without a battle, can be gruelling challenges for parents.
With artificial intelligence fast becoming the way forward, some tech experts believe AI teddy bears could be reading personalised stories to children within five years.
But can AI make parenting easier in the short-term?
Lynsey Hope, mum to Jacob, eight, Olive, six, and Ivy, three, asks Genie – a chatbot app that does everything from offering mortgage advice to song-writing – for help with common issues.
But are its “ideas”, such as chicken nuggets in the children’s lunch boxes and pancakes for breakfast every day, really worth a try?
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Additional reporting: Claire Dunwell
MEALTIME BATTLES
Lynsey says: It’s a daily battle to get Ivy to eat her vegetables.
While she’ll happily wolf down chicken nuggets and chips, I’m out of ideas of how to encourage her to eat the good stuff. If Genie can crack this one, it deserves a medal.
Genie suggests: Involve your child in preparing the vegetables and also try offering a variety of vegetables in different forms, such as raw or cooked, or seasoning them with herbs and spices.
Limiting access to other foods until the vegetables are eaten may also be effective, and set a positive example by eating vegetables yourself.
Lynsey’s verdict: I gave Ivy a child-safe knife and asked her to help cut the cucumber and green beans.
Being involved herself, she did eat some. I did the same with fruit and she happily munched on some strawberries and banana. I considered that a win.
GETTING KIDS OUT OF BED
Lynsey says: Olive loves to lie in and it’s a battle getting her up in the morning.
Getting all three out of the house by 8.30am is a daily struggle and we’re always running late.
Genie suggests: If asking them nicely isn’t working, you could try setting up a morning routine that they find enjoyable, such as making their favourite breakfast or doing a fun activity before school.
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Lynsey’s verdict: The mere mention of pancakes with Nutella got Olive out from under her duvet and at the kitchen table.
My problem is that I really don’t have the time to make them every day and it isn’t healthy for them to be eating them so often, so we may have to save this trick for when she’s really tired.
PACKED LUNCH IDEAS
Lynsey says: Another bugbear is coming up with new ideas for their packed lunches, especially ones they actually eat.
Mine survive on ham sandwiches and Marmite wraps and rarely try anything new.
Genie suggests: Sandwiches with peanut butter, turkey and cheese or tuna salad.
Cut up fruit, such as apples, grapes and strawberries, or try chicken nuggets or pizza bites.
Lynsey’s verdict: The peanut butter suggestion was pretty useless given nuts are banned in most schools.
And I can just imagine the teachers’ reaction if they saw the kids eating cold chicken nuggets.
Pitta bread with hummus and cucumber slices went down a treat and I found they ate more fruit if I chopped it up for their lunch boxes rather than leaving it whole.
LIMITING SCREEN TIME
Lynsey says: With research suggesting that spending too much time on screens can cause weight gain and is linked to poor sleep, it’s a concern that is never far from my mind.
But Jacob loves his Nintendo Switch.
Genie suggests: Establish specific time limits and make sure they understand the consequences for exceeding them.
Create tech-free zones, such as bedrooms or at mealtimes, and encourage varied activities, such as outdoor play, playing a game, hobbies or spending time with family or friends.
Lynsey’s verdict: We agreed to a game of Uno. Olive and Jacob loved beating me and wanted to play again and again.
It seemed that if I was happy to do something with them, they happily gave up screens.
HOMEWORK FIGHTS
Lynsey says: I’ve never really had a consistent routine for homework and we always end up cramming it in at the end of the weekend.
Genie suggests: Offer praise and some positive reinforcement for completing their homework.
Help them understand the long-term benefits of homework, such as improved academic performance.
Lynsey’s verdict: When I tried to explain the long-term benefits of homework, I thought they’d fall asleep.
They sat rolling their eyes before asking what was for lunch.
KEEPING KIDS IN LINE
Lynsey says: Loss of privileges, treats and screen time works fine for the eldest two when they act up, but Ivy isn’t so easy.
She is in full toddler tantrum years, throwing things, snatching and refusing to share.
She puts up a fight if I ask her to come for a bath. It’s hard to reason with her. Often I end up bargaining instead and I’ll take away a toy in a bid to persuade her.
Genie suggests: If children don’t listen, withdraw privileges, add extra chores or a temporary reduction in screen time.
Using a naughty step could also be effective as it provides a brief period for them to reflect on their behaviour.
Lynsey’s verdict: The naughty step did not go down well with Ivy and it was almost impossible to keep her there without physically holding her in place.
After a minute we both forgot why she was even there. It didn’t achieve anything.
