Posted on: 27.05.2015.
Author: Ana G
Image courtesy of pixabay.com, licensed under CC0 1.0
There's no doubt about it: moms are busy people. Simply keeping track of the kids' needs and activities is a full-time job in and of itself. If you're a mom, you're all too familiar with the concept of not having enough hours in the day. Fortunately, technology can help lessen the burden significantly. Apps, in particular, can help streamline and organize all of the things you need to do in a typical day to make you more efficient - and a lot less stressed. The right apps are like virtual personal assistants; they make your work as a mom easier, and they can make mundane, everyday tasks more enjoyable. Like any busy mom, you could probably use an extra digital helping hand, and that's exactly what a well-designed app can be.
So, which apps are worth a busy mom's while? The best ones help to keep you organized while streamlining and simplifying everyday tasks. They also coordinate various tasks between family members to keep everyone on the same page. With the right apps, your household will be running like a well-oiled machine in no time.
Image courtesy of MyFitnessPal, Inc.
Available on: App Store, Android Market, Amazon, Windows Phone
As the number-one health and fitness app for four years and counting, it's clear the Calorie Counter by MyFitnessPal is a winner. As busy as you are, finding the time to track the calories you take in is a tall order. Thankfully, this app boasts the largest food database out there, with more than 5 million entries and counting. Entering foods is even faster and easier because you can save and add entire meals, and there's a barcode scanner that makes it even simpler. What's more is you can track your exercise and even set up customized goals. Who says busy moms can't keep track of their diet and fitness?
Image courtesy of Publications International, Ltd.
Available on: App Store, Android Market, Amazon, Windows Store
In a perfect world, meal ideas would magically pop into moms' heads. In reality, though, dinnertime has a way of sneaking up on even the most organized moms. This app boasts more than 2,000 recipes consisting of affordable, easy-to-find ingredients. Recipes can be personalized to account for picky eaters and people with restricted diets. When you find a recipe you like, you can tag ingredients you need to create shopping lists. The app is also loaded with tools like a kitchen timer, substitution lists and measurement conversion charts, so you'll always have everything you need to whip up something tasty and healthy for your kids.
Image courtesy of KidsEmail.org
Approved by the Parents' ChoiceFoundation, this deceptively simple app helps to keep the whole family on the same page. Family members can all join a single account and then access it via mobile devices or computers. Cozi allows the whole family to share and track their activities, appointments and schedules, so everyone can stay on the same page. Create and share to-do lists, grocery lists and even chores to keep everyone on track. Use the family journal feature to create a private, shared family blog with which to share important news, stories and memories. There's even a feature that lets you map out meals for the week ahead and create shopping lists based on the ingredients.
KillerApps: Grocery Gadget Shopping List System. Video courtesy of Flixoft TV via YouTube
Available on: App Store, Amazon, Windows Phone
In the world of grocery list apps, this one is a major standout. It lets you create separate lists for different stores, which helps you whittle down the amount of time you spend shopping. It lets you sync coupons across different stores to match them to items on your list. As an added bonus, it automatically compares prices to help you find the best deals without having to lift a finger. Over time, it learns which items you regularly purchase and reminds you to reorder stuff too. As a busy mom, the less time you spend walking up and down grocery store aisles, the better, and this app makes it a snap.
Image courtesy of Intuit Mint Bills, Inc.
Available on: App Store, Android Market, Amazon, Windows Phone, Windows Store
Like most busy moms, you probably struggle to keep tabs on your financial situation while going about your everyday business. Finding the time to sit down and do basic bookkeeping is a tall order, indeed. This app streamlines the most common accounting tasks that a busy adult needs to take care of, so it's a great tool for moms. To get started, you just need to set up your various accounts, including bank accounts, credit card accounts and investment accounts. Mint basically takes care of the rest by automatically categorizing your spending and sending alerts based on your criteria. It's loaded with other great features too, including offering the ability to set up goals. Whether you use it to save up for your next family vacation or to whittle down credit card balances, you'll appreciate how quick and easy it is to use.
Image courtesy of HomeRoutines App
Available on: App Store
Taking care of a house involves doing the same tasks over and over again. Some things, like doing the dishes, need to be done daily. Others, like deep-cleaning the carpets or reorganizing the cupboards, only need to be done every now and then. Keeping track of what needs to be done when and by whom is much simpler with this app. It allows moms to create workflows of common household tasks, and you can dictate which day they are to be completed. Conveniently, these lists can be synced with your spouse's lists to keep everyone on the same page and to eliminate redundancy. With detailed cleaning lists, a speed-cleaning timer and other handy features, this app is sure to come in handy for any busy mom.
Image courtesy of Nannek LLC
A great way to simplify your work as a mom is by having kids take care of various chores around the house. The problem is actually making it happen, and that's where this clever app steps in. Use it to assign chores to your kids. Reward children with virtual stars for completing various tasks. Once they've accumulated a designated number of stars, kids can choose rewards from a pre-defined list that you've created. Conveniently, the app also lets you award bonus stars or to remove stars as needed. In addition to letting you track chores, then, it makes doing the chores more fun and rewarding for kids.
Image courtesy of AndroidLista
Young kids rely on their moms to ensure they are properly attired for the day ahead. The only way to make sure of that is by knowing what the weather is going to be like, and the best way to stay on top of that is by using this app. With interactive weather maps that include the functionality of Google Maps, The Weather Channel app lets you see what's going on in the world of weather at a glance. The "Find Me" feature tells you the current weather based on your location, and you can also search for locations in case you or your child will be traveling. Social sharing features add a nice dose of entertainment too.
Image courtesy of WebMD, LLC
Available on: App Store, Android Market, Amazon
The next best thing when it comes to health-related questions, WebMD app offers moms access to large database of doctor-approved health information regarding their kids and family. Not only does the app provide around-the-clock access to a wealth of useful health information, but it can also be personalized in order to store your family's health information. The app presents a first aid section with instructions and guides for CPR and other emergency procedures as well. The symptom checker lets you quickly get a feel for what may be ailing you or your child, and a health provider database makes it a snap to find the right doctor when you need one. There's also a Baby App that includes weekly content explaining what to expect over your child's first two years.
Image courtesy of ShopSavvy, Inc.
Available on: App Store, Android Market, Windows Phone
For a busy mom, time is often so limited that it's easier to just buy whatever's on the shelf without regards to whether or not it's a good deal. This app really levels the playing field by acting as a personal shopping assistant of sorts. Whether you scan a barcode for an item or input it manually, the app tells you where you can find it cheapest locally and online. You can set up wish lists and price alerts to score great deals on items you need. Instead of wasting huge amounts of time, money and gas searching for good deals, just put this app to work for you. It's sure to come in handy again and again.
By putting the right apps to work for you, you can keep your household plugging right along while freeing up time, staying more organized and being more efficient. Well-designed apps are akin to personal assistants for busy moms, making routine tasks more manageable. Using these apps helps you keep your ducks in a row in a way that is fun and enjoyable. Once you've put them into regular rotation, you'll rid your mind of a lot of the stress that goes along with organizing you and your family's lives. In turn, you'll have more calm, relaxing, happy time to enjoy with the family.
