Welcome to another episode of “How the Heck Do I Do It All?” – a daily reality for single moms like me, who are doing the juggling act of work, parenting, homeschooling, laundry that has a life of its own, and still trying to sneak in some me time without feeling guilty about it. Spoiler: It doesn’t always happen.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of those heroic souls who never signed up for a superhero gig but somehow ended up in a cape anyway. And, let’s be real, the cape is frayed, coffee-stained, and usually ends up on the floor because, well, it’s impossible to keep it on when you’re constantly running from one thing to another.

But here’s the thing, my fellow warriors—there’s no medal for doing it all without help. It’s a lot. It’s overwhelming. And it’s OK to admit it. That’s where some handy tools and technologies come in to give us a fighting chance. I’m here to share my (and definitely not June Cleaver’s) tips for streamlining your day and—dare I say it—actually enjoying a hot cup of coffee once in a while.

The Unique Challenges of Being a Single Mom

Before we dive into the gadgets and apps that make our lives slightly less chaotic, let’s take a minute to acknowledge the challenges that come with being a single mom. This is the reality we’re up against:

1. The Calendar from Hell – Whether it’s managing virtual school schedules, doctor’s appointments, work deadlines, or just trying to remember if it’s Taco Tuesday or Pizza Friday, the calendar is the first thing that makes you want to pull your hair out.
2. The Lone Wolf Syndrome – As a single mom, you’re often both the CEO, the CFO, the COO, and the janitor of your household. You’re doing it all, and it can feel like there’s no one else to turn to when the inevitable meltdown happens (usually right around bedtime).
3. The Guilt – That annoying voice in your head that constantly says, “You’re not doing enough.” You’re not homeschooling like a Pinterest mom. You’re not cooking like a celebrity chef. You’re not the perfectly put-together woman in the Instagram photos. And it sucks. But guess what? You’re still doing an incredible job.

Enter: The Tech-Savvy Single Mom’s Best Friends

I’m not suggesting that apps are going to magically solve all your problems—because no app can replace a full night’s sleep, or a day without having to say, “Please put on pants”—but these tools can definitely make the ride a little less bumpy.

1. Instacart: Your Grocery Store Lifeline

If you’ve never used Instacart, I need you to stop everything and sign up. Like, right now. Sure, I might be a little dramatic, but this tool seriously saves me hours of my week. No more wandering aimlessly around the grocery store trying to figure out if frozen waffles are still a thing (spoiler: they are).

With Instacart, you can shop from the comfort of your couch while your kids are “supposedly” doing their homework or watching TV. The best part? It delivers straight to your door. You no longer have to lug around 50-pound bags of dog food while trying not to run over your child’s foot with the cart. And the meal planning? It’s built in! You can even shop for ingredients based on your meal plan for the week—easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Bonus: No more impulse buys of random snacks you definitely don’t need but convince yourself you do. (Don’t pretend you haven’t thrown in a pack of cookies to “treat” yourself after a long day.)

2. Google Calendar: The Hero We Never Knew We Needed

Raise your hand if you’ve ever missed an appointment because your brain was too full of other things. (If you’re like me, both hands are in the air, and you’re wondering where your coffee went.) Enter Google Calendar: It’s not just for scheduling work meetings, folks. You can create color-coded categories for everything from the kids’ school stuff to your workout to “Remember to Check if the Trash Has Been Taken Out” reminders. Trust me, you’ll feel like a productivity goddess once you get your calendar under control.

The best part about Google Calendar? You can sync it across all your devices. So whether you’re glancing at it during your lunch break at work or checking it between rounds of “Why is there toothpaste on the ceiling?”, you’ll always know what’s coming up next. And if you share your calendar with your ex (if you’re co-parenting), things run just a bit smoother. No more miscommunication about who’s getting the kids on which weekend.

3. AI-Powered Time Management Apps: The Future Is Now

OK, this one is like stepping into a new era. If you’re not using an AI-driven scheduling tool, you’re basically living in the Stone Age. These apps can analyze your time, suggest optimal schedules, and even automate tasks. It’s like having a personal assistant that never calls in sick.

For example, apps like Clockwise and Motion use AI to optimize your calendar and schedule tasks around your existing commitments. If you’re juggling work meetings, kid pick-ups, and laundry loads, these tools help you maximize your time. It’s like playing Tetris with your to-do list—except you’re not going to accidentally drop the block and fail.

AI doesn’t judge you when you’re behind on a task either. It just keeps suggesting ways to shuffle things around so you can get back on track. Finally, a solution that doesn’t give you a guilt trip.

4. Meal Planning Apps: Because You Need More Than Just Cereal

Let’s face it—meal planning is a whole thing. But we don’t need to make it a stressful, over-complicated thing. Enter apps like Mealime and Paprika. These apps let you plan your meals for the week, generate grocery lists, and even include nutritional information. So, no more standing in front of the fridge at 5 p.m., wondering if anyone will notice if you serve frozen pizza for the third night in a row.

Mealime lets you select your preferences (like no seafood or gluten-free) and gives you easy, healthy recipes that even your kids might eat without making that “What is this?” face. And Paprika allows you to save recipes from all over the internet and create shopping lists with a click of a button. Less stress, more time for wine. (Hey, I’m not judging.)

5. Task Management Tools: Because You’re Definitely Not Superwoman

If you are, in fact, Superwoman—let me know. But if you’re like the rest of us, juggling a billion tasks with an occasional emotional meltdown, you might need a task manager like Todoist or Trello. These apps let you break down your tasks into bite-sized pieces, assign due dates, and—best of all—set priorities. It’s like someone coming along and saying, “Hey, don’t worry about sorting through that mountain of laundry right now. Focus on the kid’s science project instead. I’ve got this.”

Plus, these tools sync with your calendar, so everything is in one place. You can even share task lists with your kids (or your co-parent) so they can help out. I’m not saying they’ll actually do it, but hey, there’s a chance.

You’ve Got This. (And Tech Can Help)

To the single moms reading this: You’re not alone in this crazy, wonderful, chaotic world of parenting and adulthood. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. No one expects you to be June Cleaver, because—let’s be real—who has the time for perfect hair, pearls, and housework every day?

So, don’t let the pressure of “doing it all” get you down. Lean into technology, embrace the tools that give you back some of your time, and remember that perfection isn’t the goal—survival is.

And if all else fails? There’s always wine. Or coffee. Or wine and coffee. No judgment here.

Stay strong, mama. You’ve got this—one app at a time.