You’re juggling deadlines, birthday party planning, meal prep, and maybe even the occasional meltdown – yours or the kids’. To keep all the balls in the air, you need productivity tools that don’t just look good but actually deliver. Below is a curated list of the 19 best productivity tools every working mom should know about, from time-saving apps to gadgets to significantly enhance productivity.
Quick List of Productivity Tools for Working Moms
- Notion – for productivity and time management
- Canva – for quick and easy designs
- Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar – for scheduling
- Evernote or Samsung Notes – for note-taking
- Checkers Sixty60 App – for online grocery shopping
- Snipping Tool – for quick screenshots
- Instapaper – for saving articles to read later
- Audible and Everand – for audiobooks
- Fiverr – for outsourcing tasks
- Todoist – for task management
- Skillshare – for learning new skills
- Google Drive – for document sharing
- MyFitnessPal – for tracking meals and workouts
- Zoom or Microsoft Teams – for online meetings
- Grammarly – for perfecting your writing
- Headphones or Earphones – for creating a focused environment
- Good Old Notebook – for traditional note-taking
- A Planner (Book) – for old-school planning
- Ovia – for pregnancy tracking
Why These Productivity Tools Work
1. Notion
Notion is your go-to for organizing everything – and I mean everything. From meal plans to work projects, you can create customizable boards, lists, and calendars. Plus, it syncs across all your devices, so you’re always up to date.
2. Canva
Design isn’t just for creatives. Canva makes creating polished visuals for work presentations, school projects, or even party invitations ridiculously easy. It’s user-friendly, and with pre-designed templates, you can whip up a masterpiece in minutes.
3. Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar
When your life’s a mix of boardroom meetings and soccer practices, you need a solid calendar app. These tools let you color-code events, set reminders, and share schedules with your partner or nanny to keep everyone on the same page.
4. Evernote or Samsung Notes
For those moments when inspiration (or a to-do item) strikes, note-taking apps like Evernote or Samsung Notes ensure you never forget. Bonus points for letting you attach photos, audio clips, or links.
5. Grocery Shopping and Delivery Apps
If grocery shopping feels like another full-time job, grocery shopping and delivery apps are lifesavers for busy moms. (In South Africa I prefer the Checkers Sixty60 app.) Order your groceries online, to be delivered at your door. You’ll save time and avoid toddler tantrums in aisle three.
6. Snipping Tool
Need to quickly capture part of your screen? The Snipping Tool (pre-installed on most laptops) is a simple but mighty time-saver, especially for sharing info or creating quick tutorials.
7. Instapaper
Moms don’t have time to read long articles during the day. Instapaper lets you save articles to read offline later—perfect for those rare moments of quiet.
8. Audible and Everand
Turn car rides or workouts into productive sessions with audiobooks. Audible and Everand even let you speed up narration, so you can devour books while managing your day.
9. Fiverr
Need a logo, a quick translation, or some social media help? Fiverr connects you with freelancers worldwide who can take these tasks off your plate.
10. Todoist
Todoist is a simple, intuitive app for tracking tasks and ticking off to-dos. With priority levels and recurring tasks, it keeps you on top of everything.
11. Skillshare
Upskilling doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming. Skillshare offers bite-sized video lessons on topics like photography, marketing, and productivity.
12. Google Drive
Sharing documents, storing files, or collaborating on a project? Google Drive is a reliable and easy-to-use option that ensures you’ll never lose track of an important file again.
13. MyFitnessPal
Health is wealth, but who has the time to track everything? MyFitnessPal simplifies calorie counting and exercise tracking, helping you stay fit without overthinking it.
14. Zoom or Microsoft Teams
Whether it’s a quick work meeting or a parent-teacher conference, these apps keep you connected. Bonus: You can always claim “technical issues” if the meeting runs long.
15. Grammarly
Emails, reports, and even text messages can benefit from Grammarly. It’s like having your own proofreader to catch typos and awkward phrases.
16. Headphones or Earphones
When you need to focus amid chaos, a good pair of headphones can be your best friend. Use noise-canceling ones to block out distractions and power through your work.
17. Good Old Notebook
Sometimes, nothing beats pen and paper. A notebook is perfect for jotting down quick ideas or mapping out your goals without the temptation of notifications.
18. A Planner (Book)
Digital tools are great, but there’s something satisfying about writing on a physical planner. Choose one with plenty of space for notes and weekly overviews. Choose one from your favorite stationery store – or buy one on Etsy.
19. Ovia
For moms-to-be, Ovia offers tracking for pregnancy milestones, health tips, and even baby name suggestions. It’s like having a virtual midwife in your pocket.
Practical Tips for Maximizing These Tools
- Start Small: You don’t need to use all 25 tools at once. Begin with 2-3 that address your biggest pain points.
- Automate When Possible: Use tools like Google Calendar or Todoist for reminders and recurring tasks to free up mental space.
- Set Boundaries: Block off time for focused work and let the kids know it’s mom’s “do not disturb” time.
- Mix Digital with Physical: Use a digital calendar for scheduling and a physical planner for long-term goal-setting.
- Batch Tasks: Dedicate specific times for similar tasks – like meal planning with MyFitnessPal and grocery shopping with a grocery shopping app.
Final Thoughts
Productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most efficiently. These 19 productivity tools aren’t just “shiny object syndrome” contenders. They’re practical, mom-tested solutions to help you thrive in work and life. So, pick a couple and watch your chaos turn into calm – or at least organized chaos.