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If you’re like most then you’re never far from your phone. So, by using apps to manage your household then you have all of the information right at your fingertips. Everything from your budget to your child’s soccer schedule is just a touch away. It makes it much easier than having to flip through calendars, spreadsheets, and contact lists. So what are the must have apps for busy families? Today we’re going to talk about that.

Chances are likely that your smartphone is never far from your side. Here are a few must have apps for busy families.

All-in-One Apps for Busy Families

All-in-one applications are those mobile apps that take care of many of your family’s needs. We’re going to highlight three of the most popular and most functional ones. Some of these applications have both free and paid versions. Compare the features and choose the application that best suits your needs and goals.

* Cozi – http://www.cozi.com/

Cozi is a family organization application. It’s available for both Android and iOS operating systems. You can use it to:

o Create a family calendar
o Create shopping lists
o Plan meals
o Create to-do lists
o Send reminders
o Document in a family journal

It syncs with the other devices in your family so everyone has access to the family’s most up-to-date information. Each function offers a number of features. For example, with the calendar function you can send reminders and import calendars from other systems.

* Famjama – https://www.famjama.com/

Famjama is a family organizing and scheduling mobile application. Because it’s designed specifically for families, it has some unique features and functions. With Famjama you can create a family schedule with multiple calendars, family shopping list, to-do lists and assignments which can be shared and tracked.

Additionally, you can send message blasts to everyone in your family. That ability is something that you might not know you needed until you have it, and then you’ll never be able to live without it.

* Wunderlist – https://www.wunderlist.com/

Wunderlist isn’t designed specifically for families. However, it is generally considered to be the best task list mobile application available. You can use it to create, share, and collaborate with a number of lists.

For example, you can create shopping lists, weekly to-do lists, homework lists, chores and errands, appointments and so on. Lists can be tagged, prioritized, and you can take notes and attach documents to tasks and lists. You can attach due dates to items, send reminders, and send notifications.

Chore Apps for Busy Families

Chores are something that any family needs to grapple with. You want your children to become responsible for their chores without you having to pester them. There are mobile apps that can help. Here are three great ones:

* ChoreMonster – https://www.choremonster.com/

ChoreMonster is a favorite amongst both parents and children. As a parent you can create and schedule chores and assign point values to each chore. The points are awarded when the chore has been completed and approved by you.

Kids can then use their points to purchase rewards. You of course determine the rewards and how much they cost. For example, 10 points might be equal to ten dollars cash or a trip to the ice cream parlor.

Children like ChoreMonster because it gives them something to look forward to and motivation to do their chores. Parents like it because it makes chore time less of a hassle and much more fun.

* YouRuleChores – http://www.yourulechores.com/

You Rule Chores turns chores into a game. It’s great for competitive children and children that are motivated by a reward system. You can use the chores in the system or create your own. You can password protect the application and assign chores weekly or biweekly.

Create the requirements for each chore and approve or revoke the chore depending on how well your child did. Like ChoreMonster you can assign values for the rewards and add bonus coins when your child goes above and beyond what was requested.

* Home Routines – http://www.homeroutines.com/

Home Routines allows you to create systems for your children and for yourself. For example, you can create a chore routine for your children and track their progress. You can also track your weekly routines and tasks. You can assign days that the job needs to be accomplished, create task lists, and track your productivity.

Parenting Apps for Busy Families

Parenting is difficult and being a new parent is an eye-opening experience. The following applications will help new parents manage just a little bit better.

* White Noise Baby – https://www.tmsoft.com/white-noise-baby/

The application does just what you think it does – it provides a variety of white noises to help soothe your baby and put them to sleep. You can also use it as a baby monitor and turn off notifications or put it into “baby mode” so you don’t unintentionally wake your sleeping baby.

* WebMD Baby – http://www.webmd.com/webmdbabyapp

Get quick access to just about every question you might have about your baby’s health, development, and wellbeing. This app can be your go-to resource and helps new parents know when to relax and when to take the next step and connect with an expert.

* Total Baby – http://www.andesigned.net/totalbaby.htm

This application lets you track everything. With a new baby there is so much to track. You need to know when they eat, how much they eat, and what they eat. You need to track their sleep, their diapers, and their schedule. This app does it all.

* Baby Connect – http://www.baby-connect.com/

Baby Connect allows you to track all of the information that Total Baby does. It also gives you the ability to add multiple users and messaging so you and your baby’s caregivers can all stay connected and informed.

* Two Happy Homes – https://www.facebook.com/TwoHappyHomes

Divorced parents know how difficult it is to manage co-parenting. This application offers a way to schedule, communicate, and share vital information. Family contacts, emergency information, and your child’s schedule can all be accessed in one easy location.

Meal Planning Apps for Busy Families

* Plan to Eat – http://www.plantoeat.com/

Plan to Eat is more like a meal planning service than a standard mobile application. It provides full meal planning from ideas to shopping list. It helps organize recipes, and you can share them with friends. You can use it to automatically create a grocery list which you can access on your mobile device. You can try it for free for 30 days.

* Menu Planner – http://menu-planner.com/

This mobile application helps you plan meals by offering an abundance of functional features. You can choose your daily meals and view them in a weekly list, import recipes, create grocery lists and organize those lists by store. You can also sync between multiple devices. It’s a highly customizable application.

* Meals – http://emeals.com/

Meals is another meal planning service and mobile application. You pay a monthly fee and receive a customized weekly meal plan. For example, if you’re vegetarian then you’ll receive recipes and meals for your lifestyle.

There’s even a Paleo option. Along with the weekly recipes and meal plan, you’ll receive a grocery list that’s organized by category. Access all of the information on your smartphone and make weekly meal planning quick and easy.

Technology and mobile apps can save you an abundance of time, energy and money managing your household. With all that free time, and money, you can spend more time together doing what you love to do.

These are just a few must have apps for busy families. What’s on your list?

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Kori

Digital Product Creator at Kori at Home
Kori is a late diagnosed autistic/ADHD mom. She is currently located in Albany, NY where she is raising a neurodiverse family. Her older daughter is non-speaking autistic (and also has ADHD and Anxiety) and her youngest daughter is HSP/Gifted. A blogger, podcaster, writer, product creator, and coach; Kori shares autism family life- the highs, lows, messy, and real. Kori brings her own life experiences as an autistic woman combined with her adventures in momming to bring you the day-to-day of her life at home. Kori is on a mission to empower moms of autistic children to make informed parenting decisions with confidence and conviction.

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otilia
8 years ago

Lots of usefull apps here thank you so much for sharing with the #pinitparty

Sharon
8 years ago

Makes me wonder how civilization made it without all these apps! 😉 I use a lot of these too!

Terri Ramsey Beavers
8 years ago

Thanks so much for sharing as I’ve not heard of some of these apps before. Cozi sounds like something I could definately use to organize myself and time.

Carol Cassara
8 years ago

Anything that makes life easier for families is a good thing. I’ll share this.

Sandy
8 years ago

These are all great–thanks! I am an app-oholic–and there are a few I don’t have here. 😉

Karen W
8 years ago

These sound like something I need to look into. I can use all the help I can get to get organized. I pinned your post so I can look more closely when I have time.

Heather
8 years ago

These are great suggestions, I would add “trello.com” in there. I recently switched from using cozi to trello because it syncs with my pebble and I can check off items at the grocery store right from my wrist. Any app that you can set up on a computer or use easily from your phone is nice when getting the family organized.

Bismah
8 years ago

Wow I had no idea all these apps exist. Thank you for sharing!

Chelsee
7 years ago

These are all great apps! I really love being organized and will have to check out a few of these. Thanks so much for linking up for the Best of the Blogosphere Linky party!

Emmy
7 years ago

These are awesome! I used Total baby for my last and it was a total life saver at times. Definitely pinning this! Thanks for linking up with the Best of the Blogosphere.