10 Free Apps For Busy Parents

The article is from Instawares, an online kitchen equipment and supply company.

Moms and Dads everywhere are exhausted and overwhelmed with daily life. Even vacations can seem like a chore. Luckily, technology is making parenting a little bit easier everyday. Here is a list of 10 free apps that help parents get organized, make healthy choices and make the day a little easier to handle.

1) Good Food Near You

This app helps parents keep their kids eating healthy even when eating out! This app will find the healthiest options for a fast meal based on the user's location. Parents can now avoid the stress of finding healthy options when on the road.

2) Take Me To My Car

This app is a major time saver. Tap the screen twice while sitting in your car. When you finish shopping, just tap the app one time and it will direct you right to your car. Now the hide and seek games are with your kids, not your car!

3) The Coupon App

A great way for parents to save money. No scissors required! View local and national coupons for stores, gas stations, restaurants, attractions and services and let the sales person scan the coupon directly from your phone!

4) Red Laser

This futuristic app allows you to scan the bar code on any product and compare the price with other retailers. You can also find nutritional information on any food products you scan. Red Laser also displays similar products to the ones you scan as alternatives. Now parents don't have to race from store to store trying to find the best prices.

5) Parenting on Purpose

Daily parenting tips and various podcasts help parents get advice where and when they need it. Podcasts offer suggestions on how to handle all kinds of parenting issues. It's parents helping parents.

6) iStory Books

The on the go story time app. Free books with pictures, audio and text. It's like having a kid's library in your pocket! Parents can add or delete story books from the library folder and even save media to an SD card. Whether it's a bedtime story or a way to keep kids busy in the car or waiting rooms, this app is perfect for quiet time.

7) The American Reed Cross App

Absolutely essential for parents. This first-aid guide lists the correct procedure for dealing with everything from cuts and bruises to broken bones, hypothermia and choking. There is also suggestions on how to prepare for natural disasters and other unexpected emergencies. This app uses video, pictures and text to teach parents everything they need to know to keep kids safe.

8) Life360

This is a family locator app. It uses GPS technology to find family members wherever they are. It keeps this info on a private map that shows where all family members are at all times. It's a wonderful way to see that kids have gotten safely to their destinations even if they don't check in. This app also allows users to see recent crimes that occurred in the area.

9) Automated Menu Planner

This app automatically plans meals on monthly, weekly or semi-weekly basis. The menu plans are set and create a grocery list for you as well. You can filter recipes based on items you do or don't want included. This app saves time and stress coming up with dinner ideas.

10) Relax and Sleep

Parents need sleep and this app can relax and get you to sleep sooner. Over 35 relaxing sounds that the user can mix together including campfire, moving train, thunder and summer rain. The preferences even allow you to save your favorite settings for later use.

Being a parent is busy business, but these apps can help the day go smoothly. Find healthy dining options on the road, find your car in a loaded parking lot, get great coupons to save money and be able to scan bar codes to find the best deal possible. Learn from other parents with great tips and podcasts, have story books on hand anywhere, be able to access first-aid information and keep tabs on your family's whereabouts. Make dinner quick and easy with an automated menu planner and get a good nights sleep with some ambient sounds. Technology is here to make the day that much easier.

What are your favorite parenting apps for busy parents?