Thank You Steve Jobs: A Mother's Tribute

Unless you are living under a rock in Dora's Magic Fairyland, you know that on Wednesday the world lost a true visionary, an inspiring genius that enriched our lives in more ways than we can recall.  Sure, he helped advance the digital age, brought computers to the masses, made it possible to be connected in remote African villages, and is offhandedly referred to as the Thomas Jefferson of our generation, but maybe the person he helped the most is the mother.

It was only since Mr. Jobs' passing that I began to realize how much of my childrens' daily lives are influenced by his innovation. There are so many computers in my home that I seriously wonder how mothers kept sane in the days before Apple?  Without my iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iTunes, and MacBook Pro, the already arduous task of child rearing would be nearly impossible.  Luckily for us, we never had to parent in a world without i's. 

Here are six ways that Steve Jobs effected my daily life:

• The MacBook Pro- Not only do I carefully cart this silver laptop with me to the coffee shop four days a week, but it has proved invaluable during long car rides.  Pop in a DVD of Charlie and Lola, and my children will patiently wait for us to arrive at our destination, only interrupting to request snacks and drinks.  
• The iPhone- Without an iPhone my husband and I would never take our children out to dinner.  Coloring books and crayons only buy us ten minutes, tops, but the applications on my phone can grant us hours of relaxing restaurant meals. 
• The iPad- We recently potty trained our youngest daughter.  It was during this undertaking that I was introduced to a new function of the interactive tablet.  Following the advice of a friend, I downloaded a good half-dozen Oceanhouse Media "Read to Me" Books for Maisy to enjoy while she attempts to poop on the potty.  She will happily spend thirty minutes sitting on her little plastic Baby Bjorn chair while a Mercer Mayer book is read to her (and I can be in the kitchen making dinner!).
• iTunes- With our first born, we waited until she was four-years-old to pitch the pacifier.  Fortunately we were able to exchange the binky for audio books.  I purchased a handful of fairy tales from iTunes, onto an old iPod, and played them for her with our iHome stereo system while she drifted to sleep.  The transition proved easier than I expected, thanks to her love of any story with a princess character.
• Apple TV- Rainy days have become less dreary with Apple TV.  When its too wet to go to the park, I can rent and play an episode of Rugrats for my own rugrats without leaving my home!  
• Pixar- Because of Mr. Jobs, at least once a year there is an animated movie that I am eager to take my children to.  Woody, Buzz, Nemo, WALL-E wiggled their way into the hearts of parents as much as they did the kids.

Even though I have never met Steve Jobs, I like to think that he in part inspired the character of Woody.  "Now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you... ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what." (Toy Story 3)

So, I would like to personally thank Steve Jobs for making my job as a mother much more tranquil and stress-free (as long as I remember to keep my various Apple products charged).