Cool Apps for Mums in 2017

Cool Apps for Mums in 2017

Whether it’s getting organised, tracking your health or making new friends, these days there is an app for everything. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can easily download your favourite mobile apps and take them with you wherever you go. However, if you feel more at home on your laptop or PC, you might prefer to check out web apps instead – this article in the 1&1 digital guide explains the difference. Either way, 2017 has some extremely unique and innovative apps to offer. Here are five that every mum should try.

• Peanut – The Sociable App
  If you’ve ever used a modern dating app, the Peanut concept will no doubt seem familiar. This pretty-in-pink app focuses on connecting likeminded mums who share similar interests – be it for one-on-one coffee meetups, playdates with the kids or larger group gatherings. Registration takes place via Facebook, followed by a few simple questions to complete the setup. You can then swipe through different profiles of mums in your area, and either give them a wave in order to establish a connection, or keep on swiping. Having only just launched, Peanut is very much in its infancy – however, it will no doubt make life easier for busy mums and mums-to-be who are looking to make new friends.

• Mush – The Mums’ Community
  Mush is not too dissimilar to Peanut in that it aims to help mums meet other local mums. However, it offers some additional features that set it apart. As well as messaging and a “matchmaking” function, Mush also offers a personalized Hub for each user which shows events going on nearby, local playgroups and even a buy, swap and sell feature. Mush was founded by two new mums who wanted to help women overcome the loneliness and isolation that can sometimes come with motherhood. The app is completely free, and available for both iPhone and Android.
• Playground Buddy – For Outdoor Fun
  This app is an absolute must for any mums and dads visiting a new town with the kids in tow. Playground Buddy is based on the simple yet genius idea of helping families find nearby playgrounds, and offers a database of over 200,000 playgrounds all over the world. Ideal for holidays, daytrips or even just discovering new spots in your local area, Playground Buddy will see to it that the kids are never bored. You can even create a list of your favourite playgrounds, and share playground details with friends, making it ideal for organising a spontaneous playdate. Playground Buddy is another free app and is also compatible with both iOS and Android.

• Urbansitter – The Ultimate Childcare Solution
  Urbansitter is a one-stop-shop for all your babysitting needs, and can be a lifesaver when last-minute plans crop up or the usual babysitter is unavailable. The great thing about urbansitter is that it’s based on word-of-mouth, with ratings and reviews from other families in your area for that extra bit of reassurance. They also have a network of nannies if you’re looking for more long-term childcare, which works on the same premise. With video profiles, online booking and payment, that age-old problem of finding a babysitter has been made extremely quick and easy, and this one is available on iPhone, Android and as a web app.
• Keepy – For Saving Every Memory
  As a parent, you want to savour every moment – from when the kids are born to their graduation and beyond. Keepy is essentially an interactive scrapbook app that allows you to preserve and share every happy memory from one single platform. The possibilities are practically endless; not only can you upload photos and videos to your very own Memory Playlist, you can also add notes and voice comments to tell the story behind each piece. The best part is that you can also share it with others, so keeping grandparents, cousins and faraway friends in the loop has never been easier. Whilst it’s lovely to have printed photos and physical mementos, it’s impossible to hold on to everything, so Keepy provides a great digital supplement, or alternative.

By Marilyn D. James.