At last, functioning mothers may have the tool that will empower them really and genuinely to balance their family lives with their work responsibilities. With its amazingly user-friendly touch screen, its thousands of easy-to-use iPhone applications, and its unmatched internet capacities, Apple's new iPad empowers even old Mother Hubbard to know exactly what to do-where, when, and how.

Working mothers always have claimed that they do their most demanding, dangerous, and effective work in the two hours before they arrive on the job. Somehow, they manage to clothe and launch their husbands directly into the working world, deliver their children lunch and homework equipped to the hallowed halls of education, and get themselves-glamorous and consummately professional-to their jobs. In a modern miracle of multi-tasking magnificence, functioning mothers simultaneously manage math worksheets and corporate budgets, snowsuits and sales plans.

Now, by using iPad, the whole process becomes more manageable and more efficient. iPad coordinates family members' calendars, helps manage family finances, arranges for online bill payments, transmits data and attachments, and sends encouraging, loving little missives to each of the kid's cell phones. iPad gives real time weather and traffic reports for hard-driving moms who can make it through the gridlock from the suburbs to downtown in record time. Causing all of that without the slightest smudge on the long-lash mascara. Finally, working with an iPad, a mom has a machine that can keep up with her.

Right now, forward-thinking moms can obtain the drop on the remainder of the PTA, signing-up to test drive an iPad before they hit the market in March, 2010. Mom agrees to test and evaluate an iPad, reporting her remarks and concerns to the developers and designers at Apple Computers. Mom enjoys the power and privilege of influencing iPad's final design and capacities. In exchange for her contribution, Apple and its marketing partners let her keep the new iPad. Sign-up takes just a few precious minutes and a very few mouse-clicks; even Mother Hubbard has time to do it right now.