Being a mom has never been a more demanding job.
In the 1960s, the average mom spent about 10 hours a week on childcare, according to a study from Pew Research. But even though women now spend on average 25 hours a week working outside the home, we still devote more of our time to child care than our parents did.
The same study also found that nearly 8 in 10 adults think women face a lot of pressure to be an involved parent these days. Hop on Instagram and it’s easy to see why. We feel instant guilt when we compare ourselves to the mom who somehow found the time to not only pack their kid’s lunch, but also cut the sandwich into the shape of a dinosaur (what?!), decorate the lunch bag (why?!) and then snap the perfect pic for social media (ugh).
Next Level Momming
Moms have done such a great job of being moms, we’ve raised the standards to near impossible levels. Thankfully, technology has made power-momming a little less time-consuming, a little more organized, and a lot more possible.
Here are a few of our favorite apps that take some of the work off your plate, so you can spend less time trying to do it all, and more time doing what you actually like—whether that’s spending more time with the kids or making room for some much-deserved me time.
- Remember the Milk
When your day is jam-packed, it’s easy to forget about small errands like picking up a carton of milk on your way home. Remember the Milk does exactly what its name promises. This handy app keeps track of all your to-do lists from a single location, so you can remember appointments, keep track of groceries and supplies, and stay on top of your recurring errands and chores.
- Nextdoor
Need a cup of sugar, recommendations for a plumber or a last-minute babysitter? Nextdoor is a private social network that connects you to people who live on your block, so you can get to know your neighbors and keep each other updated on what’s happening in your neck of the woods. It’s helped countless families track down lost dogs, arrange play dates, start local petitions and get an inside scoop on juicy neighborhood news.
- Keepy
We love our children’s artwork—even when they make the sun red and give every person they draw the same goofy haircut. But stacks of school projects and holiday crafts can pile up fast, leading to an organizational nightmare. If you’ve ever felt guilty for throwing away that card they made you a few Mother’s Days ago, then Keepy is for you. It’s like a digital scrapbook that documents your family’s important memories, so you can finally let go of the physical clutter. Capture videos of recitals, record voice messages and take quality photos of all your kids’ masterpieces—all from the Keepy app.
- Spotify Premium for Family
Silence is golden, but sometimes music is better—especially on road trips. Spotify lets you find new music based on the artists and songs you love. If you and your fam already use the popular app, you can consolidate your accounts and pay for a single family subscription. Don’t worry, Spotify Premium for Family lets everyone keep their individual accounts and manage their own preferences. It just makes payment easier and cheaper—a win for busy parents.
- TV Everywhere
Everyone loves a vacation, but not everyone is a good traveler—long car rides, layovers and lots of standing in line are especially tough on kids (and the parents who have to put up with them). The good news is if you have a tablet or smart phone, you’re travelling with a mini TV ready to soothe the crankiest of kids. ImOn Cable TV subscribers get free access to TV Everywhere, which lets you watch your favorite network shows wherever there’s an Internet connection, including new and live shows. It can be a godsend to parents who are sick of watching the one DVD that’s been in the car for the last few years!