I was in the middle of writing an Amazon product review about the Amazon Echo Show and after writing practically a novel, decided that this was best suited for its own post.

We’ve had this guy for since Mother’s Day. It sits in our kitchen, and Nathan got it for me as a gift. When it showed up, I committed to learn more about what it could do for me. We had the normal Amazon Echo previously, and I honestly primarily used it to play The Greatest Showman soundtrack for Harrison. The Amazon Echo has since been moved to the playroom, but here’s the thing…

I’m all about making life easier on our family. Both Nathan and I work full time jobs that are, for the most part, pretty demanding of our time and energy. That means I’m constantly looking for ways to make life easier. And let. me. tell. you. I was pleasantly surprised by the Amazon Echo Show. In addition to using it to play music ALL THE TIME. I also use it to:

• Create my shopping list! I literally tell Alexa when I run out of something – usually in the middle of cooking when my hands are full. She creates the list for me that I check before I go to the store on my Alexa app. I can also manually add things through the Alexa app that both Nathan and I have access to. This, though, is a game changer.
• I literally never set a timer anymore – I just tell Alexa to set it. I used to use my Apple Watch for this, but just announcing the timer time – and then being able to set MULTIPLE TIMERS – so much better!!
• We use it to call people when I’m in the middle of cooking and taking care of a baby – I just tell Alexa to “Call Nathan” – and bam. We’re talking to Nathan from the kitchen without ever fumbling around for a phone.
• Announce when dinner/snack/meals are ready to the Amazon Echo in the playroom. I use this when Harrison and Nathan are in the playroom and I want to let them know IT’S TIME TO EAT. Instead of old fashioned yelling at the top of my lungs up the stairs, Amazon Echo makes it so. stinking. easy. And they can respond. Mind. Blown. How did this not exist in my childhood?? (I mean, other than the fact that the internet was invented in my childhood….)

I’m sure there are so many other things – in addition to it telling me the weather, playing my favorite podcasts, etc. You can also use it to “facetime” but Amazon style, with other Alexa users – which makes calling our Cousin Evie easy for even a toddler to do.

There are downsides, though. Like, I wish its “search” feature on the internet was better. She’s still learning, and it’s not particularly great. And there are times when if I don’t know the exact name of the album I want to play, she gets confused.

But honestly, it makes my life easier. And that’s what I care about the absolute most. Maximize my time so I can instead spend it with my family.

What’s your experience been with Alexa?