Kate Etue, Author at Cool Mom Tech

4 helpful meal planning apps for families that really work.

One of my biggest new year’s resolutions is to stay organized, and getting my meals planned is key. Because the hardest part of cooking for me — other than the kids pulling on my shirt or asking me to help them put together their 1,487-piece LEGO set right...

Recharge with these 5 fantastic self-care apps in 2018

by Kate Etue | Lifestyle Apps

It’s not always easy for us parents to find time to focus on our mental and spiritual health, but it’s critical to being good parents for our kids. So, set aside the guilt about “me time” and download these free self-care apps now....

15 ways Alexa can make your life easier and cooler this holiday season

by Kate Etue | Smart Appliances, Tips and Tricks

At my house, we use our Amazon Echo every single day. I ask Alexa to place orders, find the proper cooking temperature of pork, or play my favorite playlist, just to name a few. So with the holidays here, I thought it would be fun to share 15 ways Alexa can make your...

Hot coffee? Yes please! The Ember smart coffee mug is every parent’s dream.

by Kate Etue | Kitchen Tech

This year, I’ve become a full-on coffee addict. Welcome to life with four kids. Or, any kids…right? But between cooking breakfasts and getting lunch boxes into backpacks and driving the kids to school (no bus for us, bummer), it’s rare to actually...

Portable North Pole app is back with new, better-than-ever features. It’s magical.

by Kate Etue | Fun Apps, Holiday Picks

The Portable North Pole app and website is hands-down our favorite way for kids to get a chance to talk with Santa. And this year, it’s back with new features that make it better than ever. For kids who are clever, curious (and maybe a little doubtful) the...

12 stylish Apple Watch bands and accessories. Rowr. | Holiday Tech Gifts 2017

by Kate Etue | Fashion + Accessories, Holiday Tech Gifts

The Apple Watch Series 3 is on our wish lists this year (hint, hint), but we know a gift that splurgy may not be in everyone’s budget. So, we’ve collected some of our very favorite Apple Watch bands and accessories that make great gifts for anyone who...

The very best online Black Friday tech deals of 2017! Stay home and shop in PJs!

by Kate Etue | Sales, Whoo!

If you’re looking for the very best Black Friday 2017 shopping deals and discounts around the web, we’ve got you covered! And by best, we mean…best. Like, no junky stuff, no “buy one, get one 6% off.” Just the best deals for the shops we love,...

Code your own Star Wars video game, you can. (And we will.)

by Kate Etue | Tech Toys and Random Fun

Raise your hand if you already have tickets to see The Last Jedi. Yep, we’re obsessed too at our house, so I’m (obviously) looking for hot new Star Wars gifts for my kids this holiday season. At the top of my list: Bloxels Star Wars. This cool hands-on...

Ditch your keys with these 3 cool smart locks for families (or anyone with a door)

by Kate Etue | Home Security

Home security has gotten really high tech lately, and we’re not talking about cameras. Smart locks are helping families stay safer. Whether you want to be able to check on the kids getting home from school alone, or let a neighbor in to water the plants while...

The most perfect tear-jerker gift for teachers (or anyone on your A+ list)

by Kate Etue | Holiday Picks

When I’ve served my turn as room parent for my kids’ classrooms, I’ve really tried to give the teachers what they’d actually like as a gift from the group. But, a completely sentimental, tear-jerker gift is always a nice touch too. Because...

NEW: The podcast that helps you be a savvier digital parent in under 15 minutes a week

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Tech in 2010 to help make our increasingly digital lives easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun, however old your kids may be.

We love that it's grown to become the go-to source for millions of parents who want commonsense info about tech delivered with a smile.

We even have the privilege of sharing our tips + tricks with The TODAY Show, CNN, HLN, GMA, Nightline, newspapers and magazines around the country, and our favorite -- regular parents who stop us at PTA meetings and ask us how old kids need to be to get a smartphone, and whether they really need to panic about Snapchat.

(Answer: It's complicated.)

We're so glad you're here! And we hope we can help you too.