It sounds like an oxymoron — “easier parenting” — so let’s call this list “apps for assisting parents who need a little help every now and then,” which is everyone all the time, right?

Despite the gruesome and brutal sci-fi movies released each year, technology can be our friend. Millions of smartphone apps are available right now that can help users find dates, listen to music, play augmented reality games, and a lot more. What about those apps that aid parents in their various roles as policeman, doctors, counselors, cooks, and even spies? Below is a list of apps that will assist parents with staying sane.

HEALTH

First Aid – American Red Cross
This official American Red Cross first aid app provides instant access to expert information and advice. It gives step-by-step instructions, detailed videos, and animations to coach parents through everyday emergencies, or it will connect to 911 in more dire situations. The app also offers interactive quizzes to enhance the user’s first aid knowledge. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Fit NOLA (NOLA Local)
Staying fit and eating healthy is hard in a food-centric city, but Fit NOLA makes it easier by connecting the whole family with local nutrition and health resources. The app lists menus from local restaurants, free weekly fitness classes, and community services. Users can also receive personalized guidance with diet preferences, chronic diseases, life stages, weight management, and healthy menu options based on location. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Virtual CHNOLA (NOLA Local)
Can’t afford to take a day off work to take a sick child to the doctor’s office? The Virtual Children’s Hospital of New Orleans app can connect parents directly to healthcare providers after hours and on weekends. Using secure live video streaming, parents can consult with pediatricians for minor conditions like allergic reactions, asthma attacks, rashes, pink eye, sinus infections, and more. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

TRACKING/MONITORING

Cloud Baby Monitor
This unlimited range baby monitor has numerous features like noise/motion alerts, a nightlight, and high-quality video monitoring from multiple devices. Leave one device with the baby and watch her sleep from another device. Also, its cost is cheaper than traditional baby monitors found in stores. Available for $3.99 only in the App Store.

FBI Child ID
Created by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the app lets parents securely store photos and other identifying information of their children in case they are kidnapped or go missing. The information is only released by the parents when the authorities need to be notified. Other features include safety tips, checklists, and shortcuts to dial 911 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Free to download only from the App Store.

Life360
Options like flexible location sharing, weekly driver reports, and crash detection and emergency response make communication and safe driving a priority for families with kids on the road. Life360 is not only helpful for ensuring that all family members are safe while driving, but it also simplifies communication with those added to the private group. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

ORGANIZATION/SCHEDULING

Cozi
Life too cluttered? This award-winning easy-to-use organizer helps families tidy up their hectic schedules with features like sharing grocery lists in real time, keeping activities and appointments in one place, storing recipes and meal plans, and more. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Winnie
With Winnie, users can search for local daycares and preschools, join a community of local moms and dads, find suggestions for family activities, and much more. Winnie is also a great resource for parents who want to exchange helpful tips and advice. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

WDSU Parade Tracker (NOLA Local)
This year-round parade tracker monitors the schedules and routes of the more than 70 parades rolling during Mardi Gras and other holidays. GPS technology shows the real-time location of the front of every parade so users know if it has started on time or has reached a certain location. Plus, the app updates route changes and cancellations. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

SCHOOLS/EDUCATIONAL

Khan Academy
Winner of the 2018 Google Play Best Social Impact Award, the app offers thousands of videos and assignments for math, science, economics, computing, grammar, history, politics, and more. Practice questions get instant feedback and step-by-step hints, making it a perfect companion to classroom learning. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Photomath
This award-winning app makes the daunting task of math homework more manageable. Users can take a photo of a math problem with the smartphone and Photomath computes the answer. But it doesn’t simply just give the answer, it also provides the steps and instructions on how to get the answer. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Scholly
College-bound high school students and their parents can now breathe a sigh of relief. With a subscription, Scholly saves time through a searchable and customizable database of more than 20,000 college scholarships. The app also keeps track of the application process in one place, including totals and deadlines. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

FOOD/RECIPES

BigOven
BigOven is a recipe and meal planner app that makes cooking simple. With this app, users can plan meals, make grocery lists, reduce food waste, and more. BigOven offers a little more than 350,000 recipes that range from simple quick meals to the extravagant. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

New Orleans Snoball Finder (NOLA Local)
Over 50 snoball stands across the Greater New Orleans area can be found using the Peter Mayer-powered New Orleans Snoball Finder. Launched last summer, the app also offers search and filtering options for flavors, operating hours, and more. Users can save their favorite stands, and new locations can be added by user submissions. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Yummly
The more this recipe finder app is used, the more personalized it becomes for the user, like remembering allergies and dietary restrictions. With over 2 million recipes paired with video tutorials and guides, there are plenty of everyday, party, and healthy recipes to choose from. Free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

Chapelle Johnson is an Editorial intern at Nola Family.