HOME & FAMILY

Where is my family?

Sooner or later, somebody in the family goes quiet on you. The grandkids miss their pickup, your daughter’s flight lands and there’s no text, or Grandma’s phone goes straight to voicemail. Locator apps make this easy, right up until a phone dies, gets left on the kitchen counter, or loses signal. Then what? Here’s what I do.

Easy ways to find your family in a hurry

These linked guides cover how to find your family and learn what is happening near you and them.

Locator Apps & Group Texts

Most days, a quick look at a locator app is all it takes to know Grandma made it to the store. I’ll show you which apps are worth it, and why a family group text often gets through when a phone call won’t.

Locator Apps & Group Texts Hands holding a phone with a location pin and family message bubbles.

When Their Phone Can’t Help

Dead battery, phone left on the nightstand, no signal at the lake. It happens. That’s when an AirTag on the keys, the car’s own app, a few phone numbers written on paper, or a peek at the doorbell camera can tell you more than any locator app. And if it’s turning serious, I’ll walk you through when to call the hospitals or ask for a police welfare check.

When Their Phone Can’t Help A dead phone beside keys with a round tracker and a paper contact card.

Central Family Check In

Every family needs one ‘home base’ person. Phone dead? Left it behind? Borrow a phone, use a landline, send an email, or have a friend pass the word. As long as everybody knows who to check in with, nobody stays lost for long.

Central Family Check In A family check-in person taking notes while talking on a landline.

Need help with your situation?

Email Grandpa TJ for free, unbiased advice, or join the Inner Circle when you need a real conversation with a real person.

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