ChatGPT for mums

Motherhood is often described as one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it’s also undeniably one of the most demanding.

Now, as a mother of two, managing my time and delegating tasks is more important than ever. Between managing households, nurturing young minds, and often juggling careers and other responsibilities, modern mums are seriously stretched thin.

Amid these pressures, tech is stepping up in surprising ways and it seems modern mums have caught the ChatGPT bug, me included. When used wisely, the ‘acting’ virtual assistant is helping mums lighten their load, one prompt at a time.

What is a ChatGPT prompt?

A ChatGPT prompt is an input or query given to the model to generate a response. It serves as the guiding question or instruction that shapes the content of the generated text. Effective prompts are clear, concise, and provide sufficient context to elicit the desired response from ChatGPT.

ChatGPT changed my life

Not to sound dramatic, but I remember the day ChatGPT changed my life. I used the AI tool to plan a week’s worth of meals based on specific dietary needs, budget and time.

The meal plan it generated based on my requests and prompts astounded me. What usually takes an hour took just 3 minutes. It can generate meal plans and schedules in seconds reducing the mental fatigue that often comes with such decisions. Not to sound salesy, but are you convinced yet?

By handling time-consuming tasks like list-making, brainstorming, and organising, AI just freed up precious time that I can use to connect with my four-year-old while my four-month-old sleeps.

ChatGPT, my friend

Today, moms are raising kids with little to no village, and we are missing out on the kind of support enjoyed by previous generations. It can be an isolating experience, especially during the early years filled with sleepless nights and constant worries.

Having someone to talk to oftentimes feels rare, but the non-judgmental and safe space that ChatGPT offers where mums can vent, ask questions, or seek encouragement without fear of criticism is helping lighten the load. And it’s happening during the hours of revenge bedtime procrastination.

While no AI can replace human connection, ChatGPT offers a modern, accessible form of support that empowers mothers to manage the complexity and busyness of life. I love it for us.

Whether it’s daily meal planning, late night emotional encouragement, or curing a creative block, the AI tool plays a significant role in the beautiful, challenging adventure of motherhood. In a world that often asks mothers to do it all, having a little help, even from a chatbot, can make all the difference.

The P.R.O.M method

The internet is full of prompts, and I recently discovered the P.R.O.M method for ChatGPT newbies making it easy to structure prompts and get the best out of the AI tool.

Persona: Tell ChatGPT who you it should be eg: You are a mom of four
Request: Be specific about what you need eg: Create a daily schedule for a 12-year-old on holiday
Offer: add information to encourage high quality answers eg: He/She loves to paint and cycle
Monitor: review and tweak its output for the best results

Consider it a method or a formula, it’s a sure-fire way to get the desired result. In a previous column, I shared thoughts about AI revolutionising the way we live and what that means for future generations. While ChatGPT offers many conveniences, over-relying on it can have drawbacks for mothers.

When a friend’s eight year old daughter shared that a school speech was written by ChatGPT, I felt concerned for a generation of children assisted by AI. Some tools may encourage overdependence on quick solutions instead of fostering critical thinking, unique thought and opinion or personal decision-making.

Sometimes, the advice or information provided may not be fully accurate or tailored to your needs, leading to misunderstandings. Additionally, turning to AI for emotional support can’t replace real human connection, which is vital for mental health. Privacy concerns also exist when discussing sensitive family matters with AI.

Ultimately, while ChatGPT is a helpful tool, it should complement thinking and lifestyle and not replace personal judgment, expert advice, and community support.