My mom is 60+ and has used a Windows based computer all of her life in a professional environment. Yet since I was maybe 10, I have had to do the following for her:

• Set up passwords that weren’t common things like her name.

• Install software like antivirus programs or basic functional software

• Uninstall malware or “assist” products like Bonzi Buddy (to her dismay)

• Explain why that email was not from an actual Nigerian prince

• Show her how to log into her accounts through a web browser.

• Setup new email accounts due to spam or an inability to retrieve her password.

• Setting up their display for two screens

• plugging in a mouse

• plugging in a keyboard

• connecting to WiFi

• connecting to a physical router

• clearing space on her phone to download apps

I’ve grown tired of listing things but I’m sure I can think of many, many, more.

I love my mom, but I’m just amazed at how someone that is so smart and effective at her technology based job seemed to not be able to reapply that cognitive thinking to her personal life.