3 easy ways AI can help you as a parent

Make a bedtime story, help with studying, and sort out dinner. These three simple prompts give you a place to start. Pick the one you need today.

How to use this guide: Open the named tool, copy its prompt, and replace the [brackets]. A prompt is just a message telling the AI what you want.

Use your own adult account and work alongside your child. You'll need access to ChatGPT and a Google account for NotebookLM; sign in to Gemini if asked. Keep names, school details, and other private information out of your prompts and study files.

1. ChatGPT: make a bedtime story

You'll get: A short story built around something your child loves.

1. Open chatgpt.com and start a new chat.
2. Ask your child to pick an animal, a place, and a small adventure.
3. Paste this prompt, fill in the brackets, and send it.

Write a gentle bedtime story for a child aged [age]. The main character is a [favorite animal] who visits [place] and learns about [kindness, sharing, or another theme].

Use simple words, a little gentle humor, and a calm, happy ending. Keep it around 400 words with nothing scary. Give it a fun title.

Example: For a six-year-old, try a fox who visits the moon and learns about sharing. Read the story yourself first, then enjoy it together.

Quick fix: Too long or too tricky? Reply: “Make it half as long and use easier words.”

2. NotebookLM: help your child study

You'll get: A short explanation and practice questions based on their actual class material.

1. Open notebooklm.google.com, sign in, and create a notebook. Google's current help pages also call this Gemini Notebook.
2. Choose Add sources. Upload a class handout PDF you have permission to use, or add copied text from their notes. Start with one topic.
3. Once the source is ready, paste this into the notebook's chat.

Help me study [topic] with my child, who is in [grade/year]. Use only the class material I added. If something is missing, tell us.

Explain the three main ideas in short, simple sentences. Include source citations so we can check them. Then ask five practice questions, one at a time. Wait for our answer before giving a hint or explaining the answer. Keep the tone encouraging.

Example: Add their water-cycle notes and ask about evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Let your child try each answer before asking for help. Open a citation to check an explanation against the notes.

Quick fix: Can't read the file? Add a clear text PDF or paste the relevant notes as a source. Explanation still confusing? Ask: “Explain that one idea more simply.”

3. Gemini: plan a family meal

You'll get: One dinner idea, easy cooking steps, and a short shopping list.

1. Open gemini.google.com and start a chat.
2. List what you have, how many people are eating, and any allergies or dislikes.
3. Paste this prompt and send it.

Plan one easy dinner for [number of adults] adults and [number of children] children. I have [ingredients and amounts]. I can cook with [stovetop, oven, or other equipment] and have [minutes] minutes total.

Avoid [allergies, dietary restrictions, and disliked foods; write “none” if none]. Suggest one meal with ingredient quantities, simple numbered cooking steps, and a shopping list containing only what I still need. Keep the meal mild and offer one easy change for a picky eater. Ask if an important detail is missing.

Example: Try two adults, two children, 30 minutes, a stovetop, and pasta, canned tomatoes, and frozen peas. Add your household's actual food needs before sending.

Check the recipe's ingredients and any allergy labels yourself before cooking.

Quick fix: Too much shopping? Reply: “Use more of what I already have and no more than two extra ingredients.”

Try one today

Choose one prompt and replace the brackets. You're done when you have a story ready to read, a few study questions to try together, or a dinner plan you can cook.