Motherhood is a challenge. By definition, the instant you become responsible for the caregiving of another, your needs become secondary. That doesn’t mean that you have to stop thinking about yourself, though. In fact, there are apps available that can help you increase your parenting performance while reducing the stress and workload of what is by nature an all-encompassing job. Here are six of the best apps for moms.
Net Nanny
Image via Flickr by mobilemoo
This app was one of the original content-control solutions for parents, and it remains a viable one today. That’s amazing for a product created in 1995. ContentWatch Inc. has done a remarkable job of keeping the software fresh in spite of the constantly evolving internet.
At its core, Net Nanny is a protective measure that provides parents with an element of control when their children start to access the web. It blocks certain sites that contain adult content that you may find undesirable. You’ll feel comfortable letting your child surf her favorite sites, and it’ll cost you only $4.99. Net Nanny is available for iOs and Google.
Avocado
Originally released as a couples’ chat app, this software offers superlative parental supervision. It features one of the best to-do lists of any iOs or Google product. Plus, its quick personal communications mean that you can quickly relay your child’s needs to your partner or another person. Free to use, it also includes terrific photo-sharing capabilities when your kid does something adorable. Avocado makes parenting easier and more efficient.
Dragon Dictation
This dictation app allows you to save time while improving your efficiency. It provides the ability to jot down all your thoughts while your hands are holding a baby, carrying a backpack, or cooking a meal. Best of all, it’s currently free for iOs and Google.
If you want a more robust version of the same product, you should buy Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home 13.0 instead, starting at $69.99. Nuance originally built this product for a personal computer, and it’ll work better with either a Lenovo standard laptop or a 2-in-1 laptop than as a smartphone app.
LucyPhone
Life’s daily aggravations are that much worse when your baby is still young enough to need holding. There are not enough words to describe the annoyance of waiting on hold while carrying a toddler. It’s inconvenient and uncomfortable.
LucyPhone solves the problem by doing the phone holding for you. The worm will turn, because the live agent will wind up waiting for you to answer. LucyPhone will call you the moment it identifies that a human is on the other end of the line. This service is worth a lot of money to many people, but the app is free. It’s available for iOs and Google.
Mom Maps
Your kids will want to spend time at the various playgrounds and parks in your area. You will eventually grow bored of the same routine. Mom Maps solves the problem by suggesting other locations in your area that provide similar services for your kids. They’ll love playing with new toys, and you’ll enjoy the change from the monotony of your current weekly schedule. Mom Maps is a free app that connects to your GPS to identify the best new places. You can buy it on iOs and Google for $2.99.
VolunteerSpot
One of the worst aspects of being a parent is the time burglar aspect. Total strangers have no consideration when it comes to your free time. They’ll want you to sign up for bake sales, attend birthday parties, perform charity tasks for the community, and other time-consuming events which hold little true interest for you. The situation is even worse if you wind up the mother in charge of organizing the event.
In order to manage such situations, you’ll have to do better than sticking notes on the refrigerator. That’s why VolunteerSpot is a lifesaver. Using this free software, you can organize everything from your computer, phone, or tablet. The basic service is free, but for $9.99 a month, you’ll gain access to their power planning app. Your sanity is worth ten dollars a month, right?
Quality parenting is never easy, but choosing the right apps can make your life a little easier. By downloading and employing these apps on a daily basis, you’ll manage your time better while becoming a more productive parent.
