If you were to explain parenting in a few words, what would you say? Stressful and exhausting? Less rewarding yet time consuming? Learning and unlearning every day? Well, all of these answers are true and make complete sense. Parenting is tough and there is no one in the world who says otherwise. It is like your 9-to-5 job but with 3 shifts a day and without any leave or holiday.
According to a study, almost 41% of Americans find parenting to be challenging and 29% say it is tiring most of the time. Half of this population finds the first five years to be the hardest. What makes everything seem like walking on thin ice is that not every parenting strategy is for every child. You might have one kid who is easy to parent and the other testing your patience every single day.
If you are in the same boat, do not worry, you are not alone. No doubt, it is a very nerve-wracking job, but there are strategies and tips that can make it a little less draining and that is why we are here today. Considering the fact that there is no escape from technology and smartphones, we have compiled a few of our favorite apps that have done wonders in making parenting easy and exciting.
The Digital Parenting Revolution
Can we just take a moment and thank internet providers for making parenting easy today? From accessing educational articles on different websites to downloading apps for early pregnancy and first-time parenting, the internet has proved to be a complete bliss. These apps constantly update their content, such as articles, tips, and suggestions. For this downloading of new data, a stable internet is necessary. Therefore, it is important to choose your provider wisely.
For instance, Spectrum is good when it comes to downloading heavy apps. This internet provider comes with zero data caps, which means you do not have to worry about exceeding data. Similarly, there are other providers like Cox and Xfinity that are good with speeds. Point is, be wise with whichever ISP you choose because you are going to constantly read up on the internet when exploring new parenting strategies.
Back to the apps. Let’s get started.
Top 3 Apps for Positive Parenting
While these tools can significantly help in finding the best parenting strategies, they might not suit every child’s needs. Therefore, it is important to do your research before integrating them into your routine.
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BeFamily
For all the working moms and dads, who are struggling with work and organizing their child’s busy lives side-by-side, this is the app you need. Let’s just admit that we are all tired of work clashes and forgotten pick-ups, not to mention the embarrassment that comes with it, and this is where BeFamily acts as your family’s personal assistant. It makes your lives less hectic and organized by keeping planning, communication and calendars synced all in one place.
You can simply link this app to your smartphone’s calendar and avoid conflicting events and remember important dates at the same time. This way, you can plan and organize everything beforehand and remove all the stress from your life.
Moreover, there are multiple communication channels and family groups so that everyone is on the same page and a message will never go unseen.
Lastly, you can assign tasks to members of the family through this app and they will get notifications on their phones when it’s due.
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1Question Screen Time Control
The biggest challenge for parents these days without a doubt is managing their child’s screen time. Given that electronic devices are easily accessible to children of all ages, even below the age of three, it is imperative to keep an eye on them and limit their time so that there are less negative impacts on their social and emotional wellbeing.
According to the American Pediatric Association, almost 8-12 children in the United States spend up to 7 hours on electronics, which is a lot. This can lead to an increase in stress, anxiety, impulsivity and a reduction in emotional regulation and ability to recognize basic human feelings.
Thanks to this app, all these concerns are catered to in just a click. The tool makes sure to control not only the time they spend on their smartphones but also keeps an eye on websites that are not age appropriate. There are also educational courses and short quizzes that kids enjoy and learn at the same time. It is best for children between the ages of 5 to 13.
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PBS Parents Play and Learn
Last on the list is PBS Parents Play and Learn, and as the name suggests, it offers a bunch of games and fun activities for enhancing fundamental skills of a child. If you are always running errands and want your kids to do something productive yet fun, this online tool is a dream come true for you.
Every activity here is carefully curated and encourages children to never stop learning and unlearning. The best part is that these activities are location-themed, which means if you are at a hospital, there is a specific activity your child can play here. There are also different levels, which make the games competitive and rewarding.
Whether you want your child to improve his vocabulary or work on his reading skills, this app is a lifesaver. Try it and thank us later!
It is true that being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world. You have to compromise on a lot to protect your child and keep him happy and sound. However, there is always a way to make it less stressful and we hope, through this blog we have done that.
The above-mentioned apps can certainly aid you at every stage in this journey. And remember, self-control is crucial in parenting. Even after using hundreds of apps and implementing every parenting strategy, there will be times when you want to sit down and cry your heart out. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things will not turn out the way you imagined. And that is completely fine. You are only human to feel that way, so be patient and keep trying. Your efforts will never go to waste!
