Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Finding My Peace of Mind

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and AT&T Family Map.

Recently, I was given the chance to review the AT&T FamilyMap program. This program allows you to locate any family member on your AT&T plan via their cell phone signal. As a mom to a teenager, this seemed like a great service to try.

I logged into the website, and signing up only took a few minutes. Bug was sitting in the living room with me, and quickly asked what the text message she received meant. I explained the idea of the program and the look on her face was priceless. After a brief discussion, she agreed that this could be a good tool.

Bug is about to begin driving, and has been testing her freedoms for the last several years. While she has never given us a reason to wonder where she has been, I'm sure there will be instances in the near future where she will. Perhaps she will be late coming home from a job, or an activity, or even a date. Logging in and locating her phone can provide us with a little peace of mind, as we'll be able to see where she is located.

The program has a lot of neat features. You can create a schedule to check on various family members regularly. Perhaps you want to know that your son or daughter is home before curfew? Or making it to school on time in the morning. You can schedule the program to automatically check their location at a certain time each day, or just certain days, and have a text message sent to your phone if they are not near the location you chose. You can name various locations and store them for use, and you can view a week's worth of history.

Luckily, I did not have to use this in an emergency situation during my review period, but it did provide me peace of mind knowing that I could if needed. Unfortunately, the telephone does have to be powered on. Phones not equipped with A-GPS and phones with A-GPS without a clear line of sight with a satellite will not provide as accurate of a result as those that do have those items. This meant that it showed my daughter at a house in our neighborhood, but not actually at our house, and still considered her at home. This might improve when she is upgraded to a new phone in the next couple of months.

Overall, I was impressed with this program. I will seriously consider signing up for it long-term as she begins to drive.

To learn more, and sign up and get your first 30 days free, check out att.com/familymap

Now comes the exciting part for me! I get to give away a $100 Visa Gift Card, compliments of AT&T. I'm so excited for my first real give away! To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me how you find your peace of mind or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at 8/27/2009 and will end 9/20/2009. Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.

Rules:
  • No duplicate comments.
  • You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
  • You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
  • This giveaway is open to US-residents, aged 18 and older
  • Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
  • You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
  • Go here for official rules.


Check out how the rest of the BlogHer Reviewers explored AT&T FamilyMap - you have 10 chances to win a $100 Visa gift card.

66 comments:

Wendy said...

i gather my thoughts best when i can walk the dog on a long walk in our woodsy area and listen to my favorite podcasts at the same time.

Unknown said...

What gives me peace of mind is knowing where my two sons (ages 20 and 16) are and knowing that they are safe and sound. Since they started driving a cell phone is a God send!
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Peace of mine for me is when everything is in the right place and I'm not worried about things. It's good to just relax, because I worry a ton!!!

-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

adrian said...

I find peace of mind when I hear my kids laugh.
smilefest (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

I have four children ranging in age from 26 to 13. I was one of those parents that vetoed cell phones at first. Then I discovered that my teens couldn't use the "I couldn't call, there was no phone" excuse if they had their own cell phones.
If I don't know where they are and who they're with, I go a little nuts. I love that I'm always a phone call or text message away from making contact with my children.
We just bought my 13 year old daughter a cell phone for her birthday and it really was a present for me too. She insists on walking home from school and since I'm frequently not home when she does, I worry if she made it home okay or if something happened on her way home. I used to give her my cell phone when she walked home, now she had her own and I can't tell you how much peace of mind that gives me. The AT&T FamilyMap is really a genius idea for parents.

Unknown said...

I blogged:
http://auntiethesis.blogspot.com/2009/08/at-family-map-aka-track-teen.html

Unknown said...

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/3660901586

Deb Rox said...

I learned a hard lesson two years ago when we needed to leave town on an emergency and it took me two hours to locate my kids--I knew they were each with friends, but not where each family had gone for dinner. Both immediately got cellphones. A Family Map would be better!

Linda Stewart said...

I find peace of mind in knowing where my family is and what they are doing.

Unknown said...

Knowing that my family and friends are happy and well gives me peace of mind.

Unknown said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/3672646523
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Doreen said...

What gives me peace of mind is knowing where my family is. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!

JMom said...

Peace of mind always comes when I can see and touch my kids. I know exactly where they are. Second best is knowing that I can always call them and text them to check in where they are.

Kerri Anne said...

My phone! Maybe that's silly, but I feel 110% safer having it with me and charged at all times, especially when I'm driving.

The Mom Jen said...

Our alarm system in our home gives me peace of mind. There are so many things to worry about in the world, this gives me one less.

J.T.@BigBabyBargains said...

I run and do pilates to help me keep my peace of mind.

David said...

Peace of mind is having my family safe. If my wife has car problems, this would help me locate her easier.

April said...

Knowing that I have friends and family to fall back on if there were an emergency gives me peace of mind. I also like knowing that I could and WOULD help someone else if they were in a bad situation.

Thanks for the awesome contest!

aprilwoodscary at gmail dot com

April said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/MommyNamedApril/status/3724050022

aprilwoodscary at gmail dot com

The Murray Crew said...

As a dad of quadruplet boys, I am sure that this function will eventually be amazingly helpful. If this was accurate to the inch, I would consider purchasing the plan, implanting the phones in their diapers, and tracking them around my house with my phone. They are hard to keep up with now, I cannot imagine some day when they are off at school!

Brad
bradley.g.murray@gmail.com
www.murraycrew.blogspot.com

Carolyn G said...

Peace of mind for me comes knowing that my family and friends are safe and healthy. It's the best thing!

Carolyn G said...

http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/3757297554 - tweeted

Carolyn G said...

blogged: http://theartofrandomwillynillyness.blogspot.com/2009/09/blogher-contests.html

Nelsby said...

I have peace of mind when I am aware the whereabouts of all of my loved ones and know they are all happy and healthy.
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/3773236004
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) said...

My husband is in Afghanistan right now, so whenever he calls or emails, the knowledge that he's OK gives me peace of mind!

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) said...

Tweet- http://twitter.com/joannagiveaway/status/3811177126

Unknown said...

blogged http://abdoggett1.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-1-100-visa-gc-what-gives-you-piece.html
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Tuesday Girl said...

I get peace of mind talking to my mom and my friends. It is reassuring to know you are not the only one with these problems to deal with- every parent goes through it.

tuesdayef at aol dot com

Blogaway Girl said...

I find peace of mind in Jesus!

Blogaway Girl said...

Blogged about giveaway:

http://blogawaycentral.blogspot.com/2009/09/at-familymap-visa-card-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

What gives me peace of mind is knowledge. That is, knowledge of what he's doing or where he is. With FamilyMap, I can relatively pinpoint his location, but I won't know what he's doing; I can give it a guess though and that's good enough. Hmm, looks like he's at the mall. Okay.

blogged - http://elicabeta.livejournal.com/631.html

Mami2jcn said...

Knowing that my kids are all healthy and happy gives me piece of mind.

Kimberly said...

Prayer gives me peace of mind.
kc@mominthecity.com

Hula Hooping Mom said...

what gives me peace of mind is knowing that my children are safe and secure....they are my life! I always make sure I communicate with my children and that gives me peace of mind knowing that they trust me and can talk to me

Twincere said...

My peace of mind is derived from the knowledge and fact in knowing that each day I am able to count my Multiple Blessings.

Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com

Twincere said...

I tweeted about this great review & giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/Twincere/status/4004877094
Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com

Twincere said...

I blogged about this great review & giveaway on my blog
http://twinceretwinkles.blogspot.com/2009/09/at-familymap-reviews-and-sweepstakes.html

Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Cellphones help to give me peace of mind, because it's great to "check up" on my family any time and any place. Thanks!

shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/4007202717

shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

janetfaye said...

When I meditate I achiever peace of mind.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I blogged:
http://blog-giveaways.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaways_16.html

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

nancy said...

I know I'm not in control, but knowledge at least gives you a head start or a shortcut to the heart of the problem or situation you are dealing with. In the case of trying to locate a family member, at least some knowledge means you don't have to start at the bottom to claw through every possible scenario. It saves valuable time and possibly some stress.
gusandus@ncn.net

Sonja said...

Peace of mind is knowing that I'm not the only one in charge. Knowing that it's my job to do my best here, but my Heavenly Father is looking at the big picture... with 5 kids in a blended family, that's peace of mind. :)

Wendi P said...

Peace of mind happens for me after I tuck the kids into bed and then crawl in bed with my husband knowing that we are all safe.
parodi821 at yahoo dto com

Kathy said...

I like the idea of locating my kids, but how about them locating me? I don't know if I want that!

Anne said...

I find peace of mind by having quiet time by myself and counting my blessings. Getting away from everyone else is usually crucial for finding peace of mind for me.

Anne said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/statuses/4057352712

AB Smith said...

i have AT&T cell phones and this would be great! Knowing where the family is at all times gives you a sense of peace that you just can't put a price on! having everyone in bed at 11pm and lights out gives me a sense of peace!

I'd love to win this prize, thanks for sponsoring this.

2kidsblogger(at)gmail(dot)com

AB Smith said...

http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/4085489633

tweet!

momznite said...

Spending time with special people, like my sister or best friend, ground me and restore peace of mind.

Janet and Maya said...

I have peace of mind in knowing that I can find my husband anytime by calling his cell phone. Whatever happens, we can face it together. I can always count on him.

mayacarpenter at verizon dot net

Janet and Maya said...

tweet tweet http://twitter.com/janetmom2maya/status/4115222854

Janet and Maya said...

blogged here
http://giveawaysonblogs.blogspot.com/2009/09/ends-92009.html

Congrats on your first giveaway!

mayacarpenter at verizon dot net

Lagean Ellis said...

I find peace of mind in my sweetie. He is so kind, loving, respectful, giving.... When you go years not knowing that, how comforting it is to find it.

Lagean Ellis said...

I tweeted for you: @SereneMoments http://twitter.com/SereneMoments/status/4115281716

Blogaway Girl said...

Here's my tweet:

http://twitter.com/taygirl7/status/4127612574

Julie said...

I receive peace of mind through reading my Bible and praying.Of knowing where my family is and that they are safe

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Rajee said...

I do yoga to get peace of mind

Rajee said...

tweeted @momsfocus

Rajee said...

blogged herehttp://momsfocusonline.com/september-19th.html

Nancy said...

Exercise, yoga and prayer help me to maintain my peace of mind.

Nancy said...

My tweet:

http://twitter.com/njhhb/status/4133029223

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

I find peace of mind by having faith.

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

tweeted here:

http://twitter.com/CouponClippin/status/4134133554

Ginny said...

Having cell phones gives me the most piece of mind. I love getting ahold of everyone right away!