I keep hearing the same thing in group chats, at sports practices, and in quick driveway conversations with other parents:
“Have you tried using AI for that?”
Homework help. Dinner planning. Writing emails to teachers. Creating bedtime stories on the fly. Parents are quietly using free AI tools to make everyday life a little easier … and then sharing the tip like it’s a secret shortcut they’re not totally sure they’re supposed to admit to.
But here's the thing: There's nothing to be ashamed of. This isn’t about robots raising our kids. It’s about having a helpful assistant when your brain is fried and you just need to get through the day.
Here’s how parents (myself included) are using AI right now.
Homework Help (Without Doing it for Them)
 Joshua Resnick | Canva |
One of the most popular uses is homework support, especially when kids are stuck and parents (like me) can’t remember how to explain long division or science concepts.
AI is great at:
- Re-explaining problems in kid-friendly language
- Breaking assignments into steps
- Helping kids understand the process, not just the answer
It’s like having a patient tutor available at 8:30 p.m. when everyone’s tired.
Try this prompt:
“Explain this math problem in simple terms for a 5th grader. Don’t give the answer — just explain how to solve it: [paste problem].”
How Parents Are Using AI (Without Crossing a Line)
- To explain homework, not do it
- As a starting point, not a final answer
- To save time, not replace thinking
- With kids involved, not unsupervised
Quick safety note: As with any online tool, avoid sharing personal details about your child (full name, school, address). Many families use AI alongside their kids, rather than handing it over completely.
Dinner Planning That Starts With “What’s in My Fridge?”
This is my personal favorite.
I regularly use AI to help with dinner when I’m staring into the fridge with zero inspiration and completely done making decisions for the day. You can list ingredients, picky-eater preferences, and time limits — and it actually produces full, ready-to-go recipes. Don't have a spice it suggests, or not enough broccoli? Just let AI know and it will adjust the recipe for you accordingly.
Try this prompt:
“I have leftover rotisserie chicken, couscous, broccoli, peppers, and cheddar cheese, plus all the usual pantry and refrigerator basics. Can you suggest 3 kid-friendly dinner ideas using these ingredients?”
Want to Try It? These Tools Are Free
Parents are starting with:
ChatGPT (free) — requires a free account
Google Gemini (free) — requires a Google account
Gether
(free) — a free, family-focused organizer with email signup
If you can type a question or send a text, you can use AI. There’s no special setup — just start typing what you need help with.
Writing Help for All the Parenting Emails
Parents are also using AI to help write:
- Emails to teachers
- Notes to coaches
- Messages that need to sound calm, clear, and polite (even when our mama bear mode is activated and we’re not feeling any of those things)
Try this prompt:
“My son is having trouble getting homework done in under an hour a night, and it’s causing both him and me anxiety. Help me write a friendly but clear email to my child’s teacher asking about the amount of homework.”
Fun, Personalized Stuff Kids Love
This is where AI feels surprisingly sweet.
Parents are using it to:
- Write personalized bedtime stories with their kids as the protagonists
- Create silly poems starring their kids — from their names to their favorite sport
- Make personalized scavenger hunts and rainy-day activities
Try this prompt:
“Write a short bedtime story that takes place on a deserted island starring a child named [name], age [age], who loves [interest]. Keep it light and funny.”
Organization & Mental Load Relief
A lot of parents say the biggest benefit AI has provided isn’t flashy. It’s mental relief.
AI can help you:
- Brain-dump a to-do list
- Create simple routines
- Prioritize what actually needs to happen today
Try this prompt:
“I feel overwhelmed. Help me organize today’s to-do list into ‘must do,’ ‘nice to do,’ and ‘can wait.’ I have two hours to get things done. Here’s everything on my mind: [paste list].”
And fair warning: once you try it, you’ll probably be the next one sharing it in your group chat.
Disclosure: This article was written with help from AI ... because of course it was. Like many parents, I use it as a tool to save time, spark ideas, and make everyday life a little easier. No robots were harmed (or allowed to raise children) in the making of this article.
