Christina Refford | Cool Mom Tech https://coolmomtech.com Cool Mom Tech is the intersection of tech and style, of parenting, practicality and fabulosity, brought to you by the same team behind Cool Mom Picks. Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:53:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://coolmomtech.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/09/cropped-cmt-512-1-32x32.png Christina Refford | Cool Mom Tech https://coolmomtech.com 32 32 11 of the best reading apps for kids in high school and middle school. Including test prep! | Back to School Tech https://coolmomtech.com/2023/09/best-reading-apps-for-kids-high-school-middle-school/ https://coolmomtech.com/2023/09/best-reading-apps-for-kids-high-school-middle-school/#respond Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:45:23 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=41971 Sometimes we think of reading apps as being for little kids, but reading apps for kids in high school and middle school can be extremely helpful. Whether your kids are voracious readers or a bit more reluctant to get lost in a book when there are new video game levels to conquered, we are big […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2023/09/best-reading-apps-for-kids-high-school-middle-school/feed/ 0 This emotional support hotline for gamers is delivering mental health support one text at a time. https://coolmomtech.com/2023/06/emotional-support-hotline-for-gamers/ https://coolmomtech.com/2023/06/emotional-support-hotline-for-gamers/#respond Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:00:54 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47709 We know many so many families who love online gaming for its temporary escape into cool unique realms and the connection with others who love to play as much as we do. But sometimes real-world problems can follow us into our online games; bullying, harassment, or feelings of inadequacy or depression can persist after we set […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2023/06/emotional-support-hotline-for-gamers/feed/ 0 Audio books under $5 that support independent bookstores: Get in on this sale from Libro.fm! https://coolmomtech.com/2023/04/libro-fm-audio-book-sale/ https://coolmomtech.com/2023/04/libro-fm-audio-book-sale/#respond Mon, 24 Apr 2023 13:52:41 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47682 Our longtime readers will understand why we’re so excited about Libro.fm’s sale of audio books for under $5 each, in honor of Independent Bookstore Day on April 30. After all, in our (gulp) 15+ years online, we’ve shared hundreds of the best books and audio books, along with a commitment to supporting local and indie bookstores when that’s […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2023/04/libro-fm-audio-book-sale/feed/ 0 How to download 3 free audio books this week in honor of Black History Month. https://coolmomtech.com/2023/02/3-free-audio-books-for-black-history-month/ https://coolmomtech.com/2023/02/3-free-audio-books-for-black-history-month/#respond Tue, 14 Feb 2023 21:25:09 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47609 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 company Libro.fm and Tantor Audio, these powerful and informative audio books for older teens, college […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2023/02/3-free-audio-books-for-black-history-month/feed/ 0 Kids asking for a phone? Here are 5 reasons you should consider the new Teracube Thrive phone for kids. https://coolmomtech.com/2023/01/teracube-thrive-phone-for-kids/ https://coolmomtech.com/2023/01/teracube-thrive-phone-for-kids/#respond Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:01:31 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47566 I know firsthand how hard it is to decide when is the best age for kids to have their own cell phone. On one hand, we want them to be able to reach us if soccer practice gets out early or they want to leave a sleepover at 1am, but exposing them to the potential […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2023/01/teracube-thrive-phone-for-kids/feed/ 0 We’re spreading love to our Jewish friends and family with these Hanukkah ecards https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/hanukkah-ecards-2022/ https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/hanukkah-ecards-2022/#respond Fri, 16 Dec 2022 15:49:10 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47527 Though I send out inclusive Happy Holidays cards to a lot of people, I think this is an especially good year to also send a specific Happy Hanukkah greeting to our Jewish friends and family. Jewish Americans tend feel a bit overlooked in this season of Christmas carols, mall Santas, and mistletoe; but as Liz described in […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/hanukkah-ecards-2022/feed/ 0 12 cool tech gifts under $25 | Tech Holiday Gifts https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/cool-tech-gifts-under-25/ https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/cool-tech-gifts-under-25/#respond Tue, 13 Dec 2022 13:00:54 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=42669 Still looking for cool tech gifts this holiday? The closer we get to Christmas and Hanukkah, the easier it is to let budgets go out the window in an effort to just get gifts to wrap. But, just because time is ticking, you can still grab some cool tech gifts under $25. . .and though […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/cool-tech-gifts-under-25/feed/ 0 21 cool tech stocking stuffers: Creative ideas that aren’t “AAA batteries” | Tech Holiday Gifts https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/cool-tech-stocking-stuffers-2022/ https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/cool-tech-stocking-stuffers-2022/#respond Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:29:58 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=46074 We always have the best time looking for cool tech stocking stuffers that go beyond the usual. And by usual, I mean batteries. Whether you’re just kicking off your holiday shopping by going through our gift guides or almost wrapping things up after a marathon Cyber Monday spree, please pause to consider the humble holiday […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2022/12/cool-tech-stocking-stuffers-2022/feed/ 0 Should your kids be using BeReal, the hot new social media app? What parents should know. https://coolmomtech.com/2022/10/kids-be-real-photo-sharing-app/ https://coolmomtech.com/2022/10/kids-be-real-photo-sharing-app/#respond Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:54:55 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47319 You may have seen this hilarious sketch on SNL that has a bunch of adults using the app BeReal during a rather tense situation. (if you haven’t seen it yet, go watch now! I’ll wait.) This sketch does a great job explaining what BeReal is, but we’ve seen your comments on our Out Tech the […]

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]]> https://coolmomtech.com/2022/10/kids-be-real-photo-sharing-app/feed/ 0 Student discounts on these meditation apps can help college students find zen for a lot less. https://coolmomtech.com/2022/09/meditation-app-discounts-for-college-students/ https://coolmomtech.com/2022/09/meditation-app-discounts-for-college-students/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2022 12:02:23 +0000 https://coolmomtech.com/?p=47217 For those of us with college students (already!), we know how stressful it can be for our kids to get adjusted to a totally new schedule and, often, a new living situation. We even included meditation apps among our recommendations of apps for college freshmen to download. That’s why I was so pleased to learn […]

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