On Listening to the Parents Who Email Me

The emails that shape the app

When someone emails about YHO, I read every one. Not because I have to, but because the parents who use the app every day know things I don't. A note about a confusing screen, a question about an activity, a "my kid won't put it down", those messages tell me what to build next.

How it actually works

I keep a running list. When the same thing comes up a few times, it moves up. A single email might be a one-off; three emails about the same thing is a signal. Then I sit with it for a while before changing anything, because fast changes make fast messes.

What I've learned

• Parents want fewer choices, not more
• Calm matters more than content
• The best feature is often the one I decide not to add

Why I'm slow on purpose

I could ship something new every week. I don't. Inspired by the parents who write in, I'd rather make one thing better than ten things busier. That's the whole reason the app stays small.

A small note

If you've emailed me, thank you. If you haven't yet, you can. I'm one person, and I read what you send.