Braving Midlife

Let’s be honest—parenting in 2025 means juggling not just kids, schedules, and snacks, but apps. So. Many. Apps.

There’s the school app, the homework portal, the sports team group chat, the grocery list, your budget tracker, the family calendar, your teen’s GPS (because you care but they call it stalking), and don’t forget the 17 tabs you left open because you swore you’d read that parenting article later.

Spoiler: you didn’t.

If you’ve ever thought, “Wait, which app did I put that in?”—you’re not alone.

So here’s how to survive the digital chaos with some sanity left in your inbox:

1. Choose Your Command Center

Pick one app to rule them all. Your “hub.” It could be:

Google Calendar (for family schedules) Apple Reminders (for to-dos)

The key? Use ONE to manage the big picture. Then sync or link everything else to it. You need a home base.

2. Set Notification Rules (Because Ding = Doom)

You do not need 87 push notifications a day. That’s not “organized,” that’s “overstimulated.”

Go into your settings and:

Turn off non-essential alerts. Set specific times for app check-ins (like sports apps after school, school apps before dinner). Use “Focus Mode” or “Do Not Disturb” during family time or work hours.

Your nervous system will thank you.

3. Make App Folders That Match Your Life

Instead of scrolling endlessly, create folders that mirror your real responsibilities.

For example:

“School & Kids” – PowerSchool, ClassDojo, Seesaw, Google Classroom “Mom Life” – Grocery apps, Target, Meal planners “Money & Bills” – Banking, Venmo, Budget apps “Health & Sanity” – Meditation apps, workouts, telehealth

Bonus: Use emojis in the folder names. It’s fun and easy to scan 🏫 🛒 💸 🧠.

4. Weekly App Check + Cleanout

Once a week (like Sunday nights), spend 10 minutes reviewing:

What needs deleting What notifications piled up What appointments or tasks need moving

You already do this with the fridge—your phone deserves the same respect.

5. Use Search Like a Boss

Forget where you put it? Don’t panic—search is your bestie. Learn how to:

Use Spotlight on iPhone or the universal search bar on Android Search inside apps like Gmail, Google Drive, Notes, etc.

Pro tip: Add keywords when saving things, like “Permission Slip June 2025” so you can find it when you’re standing in line at drop-off like, “WAIT—is that due today?!”

6. Write It Down IRL

Digital is great, but sometimes pen and paper wins.

Use a magnetic fridge calendar, a whiteboard, or a paper planner as your family’s “command wall.”

Everyone can see it. No login required. No updates needed.

7. Teach Your Kids (Even Littles) to Use One App

You don’t need to be their secretary. If they can use Roblox, they can add a reminder or check Google Calendar.

Start simple: Have them check the calendar each morning or open their homework app on their own.

It’s not just organization—it’s life skills.

In Summary: Simplify the App Chaos

You don’t need more apps—you need a system.

One central hub. Boundaries on alerts. Smart folders. A weekly cleanout. Some offline backup. And maybe a glass of wine.

Your life isn’t perfect. But it can be organized enough—and that’s more than good enough.

Want a free printable to organize your “App Life”?

Drop your email below and I’ll send you a ✨free App Dashboard Worksheet✨ you can print, post, and personalize.

Because parenting is hard enough. Let’s not make tech harder than it has to be.