Kevin Berrier is a single dad to two great kids and the Advertising Director for MDDC Advertising Services, where he uses AI to solve challenges and boost productivity. But he’s found that AI isn’t just helpful at work—it’s also a game-changer at home. From meal planning to homework help to handling those big parenting conversations, AI has made daily life a little easier. Here, Kevin shares how AI is making life as a dad a little easier. - Elesha Mavrommatis, Editor
As a busy parent, I’m always looking for ways to make life run more smoothly. Whether it’s juggling work, household responsibilities or just trying to keep up with my kids’ ever-changing interests, I’ll take all the help I can get. That’s where AI has come in—not as a replacement for me as a parent, but as a tool to make me a better one.
AI in the Kitchen
One of the simplest but most useful ways I use AI is for meal planning. I love to cook, but my adult preferences don’t always match up with what my 7- and 10-year-old kids want to eat. Instead of scrambling to come up with a meal that everyone will enjoy, I use AI to generate creative, healthy recipes based on what’s already in my fridge. Sometimes it suggests things I wouldn’t have thought of—simple tweaks to familiar dishes or clever combinations that balance nutrition with flavors my kids actually like. It saves me time and, honestly, a lot of frustration.
AI as a Homework Helper
Another way AI has found its place in our household is as an educational tool. ChatGPT's mobile app has a voice-to-voice interaction feature, which makes it even more fun to use. I recently started experimenting with a custom AI tutor for my kids. I set it up so it can listen while they do their homework, and they can ask it questions in real time. Instead of just giving them answers, it walks them through the thought process, helping them learn how to get to the answer themselves.
Of course, I still love being there to help, but this tool is great for those moments when they’re working independently or when I need to be making dinner instead of walking through math problems. It’s been fun to see how they interact with it, and I think it reinforces the idea that learning isn’t just about getting answers but about understanding how to find them.
AI in the Tough Moments
But the biggest, most unexpected way AI has helped me? Helping me navigate one of my most intimidating parenting moments yet—talking to my daughter about puberty.
She’s 10, and lately, she and her friends have been talking about periods at school. I knew it was time to have the talk—but as a dad, I had no idea where to start. I was psyched, though. I imagined stepping up like a champion, like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson whispering in my ear, It’s your time!
I settled in next to my daughter and launched into what I thought was a great analogy, comparing puberty to Avatar and the Tree of Souls. (Seemed deep and meaningful at the time.)
It was not.
By the time I finished, I was sweating, and my daughter was more confused than ever. I had completely bombed.
So, I turned to AI. I asked ChatGPT for advice on how to explain periods to a 10-year-old—what to expect, how to make her feel comfortable and how to support her through it. The response floored me. It wasn’t just clear and empathetic; it gave me actionable advice I hadn’t even considered, like having a “go bag” with extra clothes and supplies in case she gets her first period at school. It even directed me to a YouTube video designed for kids, which I ended up watching with my daughter the very next night.
Now, thanks to that AI-powered parenting intervention, there’s a pink sparkly backpack in my car, ready to go.
AI as a Parenting Partner
That conversation reminded me that being a good parent isn’t about always having the right answer in the moment. It’s about showing up, being willing to learn, and making sure your kids know they can count on you. AI didn’t replace me in that moment—it gave me the knowledge and confidence to do my job better.
There are plenty of concerns about how AI is being used in the world today, and I get it. But there are also incredible ways AI can serve as a tool to help us become better parents, better teachers, better humans.
For me, it’s just the beginning. I can’t wait to see what other ways AI can help me navigate this wild, unpredictable and amazing journey of fatherhood.
