Causes and Giving Back

Black History Month lasts through the end of February, but you'll need to act by Friday if you want to grab free downloads of three important audio books by Black authors. Offered as a gift from Cool Mom Tech-recommended audiobook compan…

Well what a nice alert to appear in my inbox: This Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day, and to assist voters, Lyft is offering 50% off rides when you preload the code VOTE22 and book a ride through the Lyft app . Alternately, just open t…

I'm among millions of parents all over the country concerned about widespread efforts to ban "controversial" books in our public libraries. Especially when the lists include some of our favorite books , and plenty of them are not "contro…

With all of the heavy news right now , sometimes we really need someone in our corner telling us "You can do it! Keep trying! Don't give up!". This is the actual pep talk I got this morning from a chorus of joyful Kindergartners when I d…

This week, a wonderfully human, poignant video from husband-wife team Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody went viral. Perhaps you've seen it? They used the platform to respond to a Princess Bride fan named Amanda Webb (@Alaska_Webb), a youn…

If you're already planning on stocking up on your favorite Apple products for back to school like we are ( new laptop for online school , anyone?), then this is the week to do it. Now through August 30, any purchase made using Apple Pay …

When we first discovered Daymaker , we fell instantly in love with the organization's use of tech to easily allow good samaritans -- as in, you and your kids -- to anonymously fulfill the holiday gift wish lists of kids in need . Now the…

We love finding wonderful ways that we can give back and help kids who need it most, especially during the holiday season, which is why we were happy to discover Daymaker . By connecting foster children with people like us via their gift…

My family has been looking for some ways to fill these long summer days by giving back to our community. We were shocked to find out that more than 20% of families are food insecure in the USA, which means you very likely know someone pe…

We all know that access to expansive STEM education is essential for kids growing up today. It not only introduces what are now the basic skills needed to thrive in a high-tech world, but it has the potential to open up unlimited career …

As my family is circulating our menu plans and meal prep responsibilities, I can't help but think about families who are going without over the holidays. When I discovered the Share the Meal app (iOS and Android ), I knew that this would…

With military wives, past and present, among our staff, some of us have experienced the outstanding and essential benefits of military charities firsthand. So while Memorial Day is specifically about honoring our fallen soldiers, we thin…

Leave it to NPR and Internet technology to create something as simple and wonderful as Playgrounds for Everyone , a community edited guide helping kids who require handicapped-accessible facilities find them easily. Turns out there actua…

If 2014 was the year that we really started seeing widespread efforts to get more girls engaged in STEM interests, 2015 could be the year that it becomes so common, we can take it for granted. But...not yet. So we continue to be excited …

I think a subscription to TripIt Pro is a fantastic last-minute gift for any frequent traveler. In fact, an alert from them recently helped me score a $300 refund (!) when an airfare I had purchased dropped significantly. So yeah. That s…

Many of us may soon find ourselves with shiny new laptops, but unsure of what to do with the old model. While there are some great options out there for recycling or reselling your old tech, we're really excited about Globetops laptop do…

When Rosetta mission scientists landed the Philae on a comet, we cheered...until we noticed that one of the project scientists was wearing a bowling shirt covered in...strippers with guns? Huh? Luckily, there's a Kickstarter (already fun…

Tomorrow may be Cyber Monday, but it's also World AIDS Day . Which means it's an awesome opportunity to do some extra good when you shop, and at one of our favorite places too, the Apple store. All this week through December 7, Apple wil…

I'm a runner. I hit that road year round, no matter the weather. And I live in New England. Trust me when I say I've heard every version of "you're nuts" about this, especially come wintertime. Hey, some frozen mornings, I question my sa…

We always love seeing what the cool dads of the world are up to, because not only are they pretty awesome at this whole child-rearing thing, they've got some great ideas about how to make the world a better place. In fact, that's the goa…

As women in tech, we're big believers that girls can and should succeed in any field they want to go into, including sciences and technology. That's why sought out so many amazing STEM toys for girls over the years, why we've cheered for…

Everyone has a story. And one excellent nonprofit called the 100 Cameras project is using photography to help kids around the globe tell theirs. The organization is made up of a team of volunteers who work with children worldwide, teachi…

When you combine Star Wars, philanthropy, and the chance to actually be in the next Star Wars movie, you just might have the best Vader's Day gift ever. Because you might know that Vader is German for father, right? Either way, hopefully…

As much as we're excited to celebrate Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer with a little beach and barbeque, we want to be sure to acknowledge the members of our military who, along with their families, have sacrificed so much…

With today being Teacher Appreciation Day (and the whole week being Teacher Appreciation Week), I've been trying to figure out how to properly express my gratitude to all the wonderful teachers in my life--both my own growing up, as well…

I'll admit that I've grown quite attached to my phone and all that I can do with it, but thanks to the UNICEF Tap Project , my phone can do some real good while I'm otherwise occupied (or waiting for new Candy Crush lives). Through March…

This light bulb might not look like it's all that special, but it really, really is. Because now until March 29, IKEA will donate $1 from the sale of each one of their LED light bulbs to light up refugee camps worldwide. I have such trem…

If you're like us, you're on a tech organization rampage right now, like backing up data , organizing digital photos , and getting rid of those cord tangles once and for all. Or at least until February. But before you close the curtain o…

Growing up in the midwest, our neighbors had two solar panels on their roof. I always thought that was so cool. Now panels are popping up in my neighborhood, and it's still just as cool to me. I would love to see even more solar energy s…

If you're the type who uses your Instagram and Facebook accounts to share photos of delicious meals that you've enjoyed at fab restaurants, now you can use new iPhone app Feedie to post your food photos and do more good than just making …

As a military spouse, I've had first hand experience with military charities, especially when my husband was deployed. Thanks to technology, it's easy to give back. All it takes is a simple click to donate to these worthy causes in honor…

If you're like us, then your Facebook feeds and Twitter streams were suddenly filled with news links and hashtags about the Oklahoma tornadoes yesterday. As we send our deepest thoughts to the families that have been affected, we wanted …

After the Boston Marathon bombing yesterday, I felt completely helpless and wanting to do something for the many families who were affected by the tragedy. I'm glad to see there's now a way to offer support, thanks to an amazing tech com…

Those AT&T commercials that feature kids who have suffered from car accidents as a result of texting while driving literally bring me to tears. I know I'm not alone. To think that one single split second or word in this case can change e…

As I was ordering my soy latte at Starbucks this morning, I saw something that made me wish I was a FourSquare app user. Because just by checking in, I could have helped a really good cause. So if you're an avid FourSquare fan, now's you…

As if we needed yet another reason to love technology, it's worked wonders in opening up opportunities for busy parents like us who want to support the causes we care about, but don't always have the time. As much as we value hands-on ch…

Just take one pass through a Target parking lot and you'll get a new understanding for how crazed, dazed and all-out harried people are right now. I was there this afternoon, and felt lucky to make it out of there without a fender-bender…

As a mom with a house full of kids, sometimes the only place that I can actually make a quiet phone call is when I'm in my car, thanks to the help of my hands-free device and OnStar . However, on Tuesday I learned about a proposed cell p…

While the idea of shopping to help eradicate AIDS may seem a little incongruous, the truth is, The PRODUCT (RED) program has raised nearly $200 million for the UN Global fund over the years. A lot of that comes from company donations. He…

There's a sea of shopping apps out there to make you a more streamlined, savvy consumer. Coupon generators, barcode scanners, deal finders, list makers, price checkers, parking finders....But there's a great little app out there that ena…

We are so honored that Parents Magazine has nominated us for best mom tech blog in their Best Blog Awards! (Although we kind of hope that dads like us too.) We haven't even been up for a year, so it makes us all feel pretty darn good. Wh…

Surely like so many of you, we've been captivated and horrified by the horrific natural tragedies in Japan over the past two days. If you want to help, we love that the Red Cross has set up a simple way to donate through your cell phone.…

It was really amazing yesterday to see how the 50th anniversary of the 50-mile civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery was honored through social media. What struck me most of all was the Twitter feed of Georgia Congressman John Lewi…