Fortunately, just like technology can help a business run more smoothly, it can also benefit a family's CEO. From finding kids activities and healthy recipes to capturing memories and saving cash, these apps and subscriptions are sure to make your life a little easier.
Potty Time with Elmo
$2.99 on iTunes 1 of 13
Every kid loves Elmo, so who better to help with the sometimes rough, often tearful potty training process? Sesame Street's Potty Time with Elmo app, which ranked No. 1 in Education in the App Store, features the fuzzy little fella helping his toy learn to use the bathroom like a big kid. Stickers, puzzles and sing-a-long songs make it all feel like fun, but please don't hold it against us if "Flush Goes The Potty" gets stuck in your head for weeks on end. You've been warned.
Net Nanny
Package prices vary. Available on iTunes and Google Play. 2 of 13
The internet can be a great learning tool for children, but there's also a lot online that you probably don't want your kids to see or experience. No parent has the ability to monitor their child's access to the web all day, every day, however, and that's where Net Nanny comes in. As the name implies, it's a virtual nanny that helps protect children from offensive websites, cyber bullies, internet predators and more. By allowing you to monitor and manage your kids' online access, this app provides welcome parental peace of mind.
SnipSnap
Free on iTunes and Google Play 3 of 13
Couponing isn't just about saving money–for many, it's a way of life. Finding, clipping and organizing all those coupons the old-fashioned way can become a full-time job, though, so take some help from SnipSnap. Instead of jumping through all the usual hoops, simply snap a photo with your phone and the app saves it for later use at the store. You can also browse a database to find ways to save without even cracking open a newspaper. Best of all, push notifications alert you when a coupon is about to expire or if there's a store nearby where you can save some cash.
Costco
Free on iTunes and Google Play 4 of 13
Few parents will deny the money- and time-saving power of buying in bulk. But when it comes to actually hauling our carts around the store and then schlepping those bulk purchases home, it's a lot of heavy lifting to handle. Not to mention, have you ever tried to steer your kids through an obstacle course of free samples on a busy Saturday? All the more reason to get the Costco app and have everything delivered right to your door.
Weeknight Society
Free on iTunes 5 of 13
Launched by a busy mom who just happens to be a cookbook author, Weeknight Society showcases healthy recipes designed to land on the table in 30 minutes or less. Starting with beautifully photographed recipes available online–think Harissa Chicken, Salmon Burgers and Quinoa Chili–the experience gets even better with shopping lists and a menu planner on the app.
Hello Fresh
Free on iTunes and Google Play. Plans start at $7.89 per serving. 6 of 13
A box filled with fresh and delicious dinner food is just a few clicks away–no shopping required. Hello Fresh provides parents (or older kids who love to cook) with all the ingredients and instructions necessary to put a healthy meal on the table in about 30 minutes. Menus include classics and vegetarian options, from Creamy Dill Chicken to Kale Grilled Cheese. Sign up online and then manage deliveries, track nutrition and more through the app.
Chatbooks
Free on iTunes and Google Play. Books start at $10 each. 7 of 13
As Chatbooks says, its photobook series is like a "magazine subscription to your life." Just a few simple steps are all it takes to set up a service that automatically compiles pics from your Instagram or Facebook feed into photo books. An ideal gift for grandparents who may not get the whole social media thing just yet, Chatbooks is also perfect for parents who love capturing memories but don't love all the extra time and expense of scrapbooking. Did we mention they can also be upgraded and customized, too? Talk about picture perfect.
Sign Up
$1.99 on iTunes and Google Play 8 of 13
Formerly known as Volunteer Spot, Sign Up is like a personal assistant for anyone trying to coordinate volunteers for the classroom, snacks for the soccer tournament or chaperones for the school dance. Simply create a sign-up sheet and send it to your contacts through the app, then they can select which shifts, snacks or tasks they want. Sign Up even takes care of sending everybody a reminder before the event, eliminating the need for pesky email chains.
Allowance+
Free on iTunes 9 of 13
Too many kids these days don't know the value of a hard-earned dollar, but Allowance+ helps them build financial literacy. The app supports accounts for multiple children, and allows parents to set up automated allowances or designate payments for specific chores. It also lets kids keep track of their balances as they make withdrawals.
Bonnie
Free to sign up 10 of 13
Founded by two brothers and named for their mom, Bonnie monitors and alerts parents to the millions of products that are recalled each year. Talk about a load off your mind! With a few keystrokes, this free service starts keeping track of your purchases and will alert you if anything is recalled or has serious safety issues. Going the extra mile, Bonnie also emails next steps regarding any recalled products.
Sleep Cycle
Free on iTunes and Google Play 11 of 13
We're all about anything that makes waking up easier–or, for that matter, waking up a sleeping teen or tween. Sleep Cycle does just that, by tracking your snooze cues and gently rousing you during your lightest sleep phase in the time window of your choice. Touted as the world's most-used intelligent alarm clock, this app also lets you select your preferred tones and track your sleep quality. Try it for yourself, or download it for a kid or spouse who just isn't a morning person.
HeadSpace
Free on iTunes and Google Play 12 of 13
The benefits of meditation are many, from stress reduction to improved concentration to just plain getting a few minutes of peace and quiet in the middle of a hectic day. HeadSpace guides you through the process of meditation via classic techniques to help you remember to stay calm, cool and collected. There's also HeadSpace for Kids to help little ones manage stress and anxiety, too.
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