In a world of constant notifications, shared calendars, and never-ending group chats, many mothers are figuring out how to use technology without letting it control their lives. For Laura, a part-time working mother of two, it is a daily balancing act. Technology keeps her updated on school schedules and activities, but it also brings a heavy mental burden.
“I just feel very overwhelmed … it’s the digital load and that sort of mental fatigue you get with trying to do both,” she explains. The pressure to always be “on” is relentless. “The constant pinging … you feel like you have to keep checking your phone all the time.” So she made a drastic change: “I just deleted all my socials … and I loved it.”
Other mothers adopt a more flexible approach. Haylee, a stay-at-home mother, uses technology where it helps and switches off where it does not. “Instagram’s huge for recipes and ideas, while I use apps for my wellbeing … and school apps or group chats to help with communication,” she says. For her children, however, screen time is strictly limited. “I’m aiming for a bit of a ’90s childhood – more outdoor play, imagination and connection. Screen time is minimal – maximum two hours a week.”
For Penny, a mother of three who runs her own business, technology is non-negotiable. “The shared calendar is my bible – whoever gets in first, gets in first,” she says. “When the husband doesn’t check it … that’s fine, but he can find the babysitter,” she adds with a laugh. For her, it is about making everything work smoothly.
Jeff Woodhouse, Executive General Manager of Mobile and Computer Technology at Harvey Norman, notes that when families embrace technology at home, the goal is to save time. “If it helps them get a bit of time back, that’s where it really makes a difference,” he says. Different homes have different rules, but the aim is the same: find what works and stick to it.
Parenting author and educator Maggie Dent, who has a new book coming out in August about helping families achieve more digital freedom, observes both positive and negative aspects of the digital load mothers face. “If we can use tech that lifts them up, it’s a winner – but the tech that pulls them down is actually contributing to burnout,” she says. “I feel the competition and the judgment that comes, particularly from online, drives so much more of our mums’ stress than ever before. There’s a prescriptive kind of pressure on new mums … and that worries me.” However, she acknowledges that used well, technology can offer support. “When tech works well for mums … that can be an incredibly powerful protective factor. I feel it’s like the village in a virtual form.”
Gifts That Save Mums Time and Stress
As Mother’s Day approaches, the focus is shifting from breakfast in bed to helping mothers manage the juggle of work, parenting, and household tasks. Jeff Woodhouse explains that mothers are often the ones keeping everything organised. “Mums are generally where everything ends up being organised and all the information is flowing. Their minds are just ticking constantly and always thinking about what’s next.” Technology is now making a difference not just by saving time, but by easing that mental load. “It’s not just about saving a little bit of time – it’s that feeling of being organised,” he says.
From shared calendars to AI assistants, modern devices are designed to be more helpful, taking care of small decisions such as meal ideas, reminders, and organising, so mothers can focus on more pressing matters. “You can literally ask it how to set something up and it will step you through it,” Mr Woodhouse says. There is also a rise in creative technology, which he says has flown under the radar. “You can personalise everything now – labels, gifts, even party items. A lot of people don’t even realise what’s out there, and for those mothers who are creative, it’s a great idea.”
When it comes to Mother’s Day gifts, practicality is a winning option. Think fitness trackers, noise-cancelling headphones, or digital photo frames that double as family calendars. “Anything that saves time or helps organise the day is always going to be well received,” Mr Woodhouse concludes.
