3 days ago
Military Mom's Genius Hack Uses a Product Designed for Pets to Let Deployed Dad Play with Children (Exclusive)
When Amazon Glow was discontinued, military mom Rosie found a creative way to help her kids stay connected with their deployed fatherNEED TO KNOW
When a key family-connection device was discontinued, Air Force mom Rosie found a TikTok idea that inspired her to repurpose a pet robot so her kids could play and talk with their deployed dad
The robot turned video calls into interactive playtime, boosting her children's happiness and school behavior during their father's six-month deployment
Rosie's creative tech hack has gone viral, inspiring praise from others who see it as a game-changing way for military families to stay connectedOver the years, technology has become an indispensable tool for bridging distances and fostering connections, especially for families separated by military deployments.
For Rosie, a mother of two whose husband is deployed, staying connected as a family has always been a challenge. When Amazon Glow was discontinued, eliminating how her family connected during her husband's deployment, she worried about losing a key way for her children to interact with their father.
But then she saw an idea on TikTok that inspired her to repurpose a robot originally designed for pet owners to allow her children to interact with their deployed father, which she shares in a viral clip on the app.
Since introducing the robot, Rosie has noticed a significant improvement in her daughter's behavior at school, and it has given the family a sense of anticipation as they count down the days until her husband returns.
While they still rely on FaceTime, the robot provides a unique and playful dynamic. 'He just drives around and plays with the kids. We have a game that we play that the kids run and he tries to get them… They've been a lot happier,' she notes.
The robot hasn't just been beneficial for the children, but also for Rosie herself. She shares a moment when her husband surprised her at home during her lunch break, giving them a chance to chat casually. He even uses the robot to check on their pets.
Though it has only been a part of their lives for a short time, its impact has been significant. Reflecting on the most meaningful moment since using the robot, Rosie says, 'I think when he's able to make the kids laugh and giggle, which has happened quite frequently.'
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Rosie's creative repurposing has shown that technology can be adapted to meet diverse needs. She believes this device could be a common way for military families to feel more connected when their loved one is stationed far away.
Since the video went viral, the response has been positive, with people praising the innovative use of technology. 'A lot of them have been saying, 'This is so great. I wish I had this when I was a kid and my dad was deployed,' Rosie shares, 'It's just great for deployed families and spouses.'
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