Most parents make lists. Organized parents can actually find those lists when they need them. Dozens of apps promise to help, consolidating scraps of paper and tattered notebooks into one central location.
The trick, of course, is finding an app designed by people who understand your organizational style. Before experimenting with any of the apps below, do a quick self-appraisal. Some parents really don’t need a list that tells them to buy bread, milk, and bananas — they do that automatically every time they step into a grocery store. For others, a very thorough grocery list means they can turn their attention to the toddler squirming in the cart or even delegate the shopping to another family member.
Here are other things to consider: Do you jot notes all day long or allocate a specific time to getting organized? Do you need to integrate work and family tasks, or would you prefer to keep them separate? Is your cellphone attached to you or do you hunt for it every time it rings? Is color coding a help or a distraction? Do you want to synch with your spouse, friends, kids? Does it appeal to you to mingle practical tasks with personal record-keeping or would you prefer to keep photos and journaling separate from your to-do list?
Answering these questions will help you decide which of the apps in the following list is worth a test drive. All are efficient list makers that will remind you of due dates and deadlines. Most include calendars. All but one are free, though many have premium features that are available for a monthly fee. All work with multiple platforms and many interface easily with other programs such as Google calendar. Each has its own feel, so you’ll want to look for the one that seems like it will fit seamlessly into what you already do.
• Customize your lists. Wunderlist is a streamlined, no-nonsense app that lets you set up your own lists in categories that make sense to you. Tasks can be assigned to others or sub-divided into smaller to-do lists. It’s perfect for minimalists and those who are easily distracted by features they don’t really need (www.wunderlist.com).
• Prioritize tasks. Toodledo encourages you to assign a priority to everything on your list so you can easily see what needs to be done TODAY. This app also encourages you to estimate the time a task will take. Then, when you find yourself with an unexpected gap in your schedule, you can put in the amount of time you have and generate a list of projects that will fit neatly into that slot (www.toodledo.com).
• Take advantage of location. Any.Do has a clean, uncluttered interface so you can quickly see what needs to be done on any given day. This app also interfaces with a navigation system component, so it will remind you to do an errand when you are in the vicinity of the right store (www.any.do).
• Manage from your desktop. Cozi has mobile apps for iPhone and Android, but its strength is its family-oriented website, where you can keep (and share) a calendar, develop menu plans, organize shopping lists, and even record memorable family moments in a journal. The site anticipates things busy parents might need with special features such as a packing list for vacations or the release dates for family-friendly movies (www.cozi.com).
• Coordinate with others. Remember the Milk was one of the first successful organizing apps. Today, it has a lively community of users and makes effortless connections with a large number of other programs including Evernote, Twitter, and even Siri, the personal assistant on iPhone. Because it synchs so well, this app is ideal for parents who want to communicate, coordinate, and delegate with other family members and co-workers (www.rememberthemilk.com).
• Color code everything. Awesome Note is a one-stop app for people who would like to integrate their to-do lists and calendar with photos, maps, notes, and even sketches. Folders are color-coordinated and you can assign fonts, icons, and backgrounds to different kinds of information, making this an excellent choice for people who appreciate visual cues (www.bridworks.com).
• Harvest your thoughts. Scatterbrain will appeal to parents who are constantly changing channels. The app includes an appointment calendar, to-do lists, and a special section for “thoughts,” random and otherwise. By assigning colors, you can quickly see all of the items related to work, school, home, etc. (www.scatterbrain.it).
• Track anything. Lumen Trails costs $2.99, and it’s only available for Apple products, but it’s an extremely versatile app that lets you track everything. In addition to making lists and taking notes, you can keep track of calories and workouts, time logs and expenses, homework, and nap times. There’s even a journaling option (www.lumentrails.com).
If testing and learning yet another app seems like just another task for your to-do list, you might want to take advantage of websites that offer printable organizers. In the download section of Mommytracked.com, there’s a weekly calendar, a menu planner, and even a carpool list for 10-minute tasks that can be tucked into odd moments. Organizedhome.com also has a good selection of practical printouts (www.organizedhome.com/printable).
One last tip: once you’ve made your lists, hold them loosely. Most days, the best things that happen, especially with young children, aren’t on anyone’s agenda. Happy families are invariably a little disorganized, so leave lots of room for creativity, spontaneity, and improvisation. If necessary, put that on your list!
Carolyn Jabs raised three computer-savvy kids, including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for 10 years and is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict. Visit www.growing-up-online.com to read other columns.
Copyright, 2013, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.
