The 5 Best Stress-Reducing, Back-to-School Apps for Parents

Getting your kids back to school doesn’t have to be stressful. These great apps will make your life easier now — and all year long.

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1. School Supply List

Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPadThis easy-to-use app will make sure you don’t forget any supplies this year. It lets you create separate lists for the students in your family and then combine them to make shopping easier — and take advantage of any sales. You can also sort the lists by items or stores.

Cost: Free

2. Cozi Family Organizer

This app’s motto is “Family Life. Simplified.” And boy, does it live up to it. Cozi does it all — allows you to share a family calendar, create to-do and grocery lists, and more, keeping everything and everyone synced. Plus, it sends out automatic texts or emails to family members so no one misses an event or appointment, saving you the time and mental effort of reminding everyone.

Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android

Cost: Free

3. MyHomework

No more forgotten math tests or last-minute realizations that a miniature replica of the Taj Mahal is due tomorrow. This app will help you and your kids keep track of assignments, tests and more with a simple color-coded calendar and reminders on your devices.

Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android

Cost: Free

4. iEarnedThat

Trying to motivate your child to clean his room (without all the yelling and threatening)? Skip those old-school sticker reward charts and use this app instead. Simply snap a photo of a reward your child wants (say, a new toy) and this app breaks it into up to 60 puzzle pieces. Your kid can then earn the reward one puzzle piece at a time — no stickers required.

Works with: iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Cost: $1.99

5. Is It Contagious?

Should you keep your child home from school because he (or his schoolmates) have an illness other kids could catch? This app, created by the folks at KidsHealth.org and reviewed by pediatricians, answers that dire question about dozens of common childhood conditions from pinkeye to ear infections and more. (Of course, you should always check with your doc too.) In addition, you get essential info on prevention, symptoms, treatment and when to seek immediate care.

Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android

Cost: Free

What are your favorite back to school apps?



About the Author

Nancy Kalish has written for many publications, including Parenting, Parents, Real Simple, Reader's Digest, More, Health, Prevention, Self and Fitness. She is the co-author of The Case Against Homework: How Homework Is Hurting Our Children and What We Can Do About It.

Comments

4 Responses to “The 5 Best Stress-Reducing, Back-to-School Apps for Parents”

  1. OH THIS IS AWESOME. I am SO stressed about the kids going back to school, I think even more so than the kids!

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