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A day in the life of a smart home.
Connected speakers, doorbells, Wi-Fi, and more handle tasks that free up time and simplify life.

Every weekday morning in Peter Bijvoets’ home starts the same way, with a pre-programmed alarm that wakes his three kids, ages 9, 5, and 2.

Shortly after, he sees them downstairs at the breakfast table, where a series of automated reminders ushers them through their before-school routine.

The alerts, set up using Google’s Family Bell and delivered through Nest speakers, reflect a lesson Bijvoets has learned: “They listen better to Google than to their parents,” he jokes.

Making your home a place where your family is well-rested, on time – and maybe even entertained – can be hard, especially when everyone is busy. Smart home devices, starting with a command center like Nest Hub Max, can make it a little easier.1 Here are some ways parents can bring in Nest products to help with their families’ regular habits.

Get the family moving in the morning

After the Family Bell wakes the Bijvoets kids each morning at 7, they get out of bed, brush their teeth, and get ready for the day. Ten minutes before they need to leave for school, the Nest speaker in their kitchen alerts them to finish eating and get their bags and shoes ready.2 Ten minutes later, the reminder feature lets them know it’s time for school, and they head out the door.

It’s not just automated alerts and announcements that can help get the day going. By adding other smart home devices, you can create ways to ease into the morning that make your harsh alarm clock a thing of the past.

Peter Bijvoets, parent They listen better to Google than to their parents.

Using his Nest Hub, Kyle Wright has scheduled a smart light in his office to turn on each morning at 5:30 so the house isn’t pitch black when he gets out of bed. At the same time, the Gentle Sleep & Wake feature gradually brightens the lamps on either side of the bed, easing him and his wife out of sleep. “It’s great because it simulates the sun rising,” he says.

When they leave for the day, Home & Away Routines save time by turning down their Nest Thermostat, and also conserve energy.3

Nest Hub Max
Help for your home. All in one display.
Create a space and structure at home for after-school activities

The Bijvoets family uses their Nest Hub to keep the kids on track. They get an alert 30 minutes before they have to leave for afterschool activities, reminding them to get ready.

If the kids are coming and going by themselves or carpooling with others, a Nest x Yale Lock can let parents lock and unlock the front door from anywhere to make sure the kids are able to get in and out of the house safely. A Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell can also help parents know when kids come home from school.2

Bijvoets and his wife also like to regulate their kids’ screen time, setting timers on Nest Wifi Pro for 30-minute watching intervals. On the weekends, their favorite playlist will automatically start playing in the morning. 

“It’s super for us as a family,” says Bijvoets. “My wife has set it up and it’s so easy to do so.”

Wind down the day

At the end of the day, the Bijvoets kids hear a Family Bell alert 15 minutes before bedtime, letting them know it’s time to get ready for bed and brush their teeth. And their internet access is automatically paused at 8 PM so they can’t get online until the next morning. 

For Wright, the Google Nest Mini in his three-year-old son Hudson’s room starts a custom pre-programmed routine when Wright says, “Hudson’s bedtime.” This shuts off the main light in the room, turns on the nightlight, and starts playing lullabies.4

“It’s nice to have that one phrase that triggers all these actions,” he says. 

Takeaways
Get help reminding family members when it’s time for dinner, homework, or anything elseSee who’s at the door through Nest Doorbell camsAnd let anyone in who might have forgotten their key, by unlocking the door remotely with Nest x Yale lock
Nest Hub Max
Help for your home. All in one display.
Related products
Nest Mini
Nest Thermostat
Nest Doorbells (wired or battery)
Nest Cam (indoor, wired)
Related stories
Curious about smart home devices? Start here. Tips to save even more with your Nest thermostat. Host your next dinner party with the help of Google Assistant routines.
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  1. Google Nest Hub Max and Google Nest Hub require a Wi-Fi network, a nearby electrical outlet, and a compatible (Android, iOS) mobile device. Minimum OS requirements are available at Google Home Requirements. iOS is a trademark of Cisco and is used under license.

  2. Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming, and video recording, require working internet and Wi-Fi.

  3. Independent studies conducted in the US showed that Nest thermostats saved people an average of 10% to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling. Individual savings are not guaranteed. Learn more about savings with Nest thermostats.

  4. Compatible smart devices required.