11 Best Parental Control and Monitoring Apps for 2023 Reviewed

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

-Abraham Lincoln

Rise and Shine, Mama! Happy Monday—yep, we're back at the starting line of the weekly marathon. Ready, set, go?

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• Top 2023 parental control apps

• Tape: the lock-out life-saver

• Pizza toast for the kiddo win!

• Light-up flip-flops DIY project

Mom’s Field Guide

11 Recommended Parental Control and Monitoring Apps (2023)

Need to keep tabs on Junior without channeling your inner helicopter parent?

Fear not, I have your back with 11 parental control apps of 2023.

Bark: The Social Media Snoop

At $5-14 a month, this is the CIA of parental control apps, spying on 30 popular social media platforms.

The downside? It’s like buying the Gucci of spy tools—pricey and limited to mobile devices.

But hey, no one said keeping up with your Gen Z-er's memes was cheap!

Screen Time: The Customizer

Got picky needs? For up to $7/month, Screen Time lets you tailor device use and even has an "instant pause" feature.

Just note that its magic wears off a bit on iOS devices.

Qustodio Real-Time Hawkeye

Starting at $55/year for 5 devices, this one offers real-time monitoring and content filtering. Bad news? It only stalks—err, tracks—Facebook activity.

Norton Family Where's Waldo

At $50/year, this one’s great for the hide-and-seek phase when little Timmy decides to explore the neighborhood. It even works on Windows PC!

Canopy: For Teens with Screens

For $8-$16/month, it gives older kids room to roam the digital world responsibly. Just don't expect it to tattle on their text messages.

Net Nanny: For the Rugrats

$50/year lets you control what your little explorers can stumble upon online. It’s like putting bumpers on their digital bowling lane.

Kaspersky Safe Kids: Time-keeper

This budget-friendly option (free-$15/year) will make sure your kid isn’t the next YouTube zombie, but sadly, no free trial.

OurPact: Big Family, Big Control

Have a Brady Bunch situation? For $70/year, control up to 20 devices! Yet, it doesn't provide a history of your child’s whereabouts.

Life 360: Driving Teens?

Life 360 is the Rolls-Royce of driving monitor apps at $15-$25/month. Just know it won’t scold them for too much screen time.

MMGuardian: Text Hounds

For $50-$100/year, it sniffs out inappropriate texts and social media activity. However, it’s not so great with emails.

Google Family Link: On a Budget

For the cost of absolutely nothing, it gives basic controls and suggests kid-friendly apps. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Conclusion:

There you have it, Spy Moms of 2023, the ultimate arsenal for your parenting toolkit.

Whether you’re stalking—umm, monitoring—your teen driver or just trying to keep your toddler from accidentally FaceTiming your boss, we've got an app for that.

Read the full descriptions here.

Together with Evenflo

Making Parenthood a Walk in the Park

Ever found yourself juggling a baby, a diaper bag, and a bulky stroller, wishing it could all just...shyft into one?

Enter the Evenflo Shyft DualRide.

One step, and your car seat turns into a stroller, fitting even the tiniest riders​.

Not to mention one of the most unique car seats on the market, and one of my personal favorites (see here). Allowing your little one easy in, easy out.

Loved by parents for their durable, practical, and innovative products.

Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll

Poll Results From 8/25

What's your preferred method of self-care?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Reading a book (20%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Going for a walk or workout (27%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Spa or beauty treatments at home (13%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Watching a favorite show or movie (33%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Meditating or yoga (7%)

Featured Response😄 

“I start my day with a morning workout and then walk with the dog after work. It keeps me grounded and my mind is able to clear during these moments. Working in education and being pregnant the first time, these both have saved me.”
- Community Mom

Mom Hack

Use tape to prevent your children from locking themselves in a room

Mom Hack

Painter's tape over locks keeps your child safe from accidentally locking themselves in a room.

Simple, but it works wonders.

Mom’s Menu

Kid-Friendly Pizza Toast🍕👧

I know lunch times can feel like a circus show. 🎪 

What if I told you we have a quick, versatile, and oh-so-tasty recipe that can keep those picky eaters at bay?

Say hello to Pizza Toast!

Ingredients 📝

• 4 slices of your choice of Bread 🍞

• 75g (⅓ cup) of scrumptious Pizza Sauce

• 110g (1 cup) of melty Grated Mozzarella 🧀

• 1 juicy Tomato, thinly sliced 🍅

• 1 teaspoon of aromatic Dried Oregano 🌿

Instructions 👩‍🍳

1. Heat up your oven grill (oven broiler).

2. Pop your bread into the toaster. Lightly toasted is just perfect.

3. Once toasted, lay out your slices onto a baking tray and slather them with the pizza sauce.

4. Let's get cheesy! Sprinkle your slices generously with mozzarella, followed by your thinly sliced tomato, and a pinch of dried oregano. The more, the merrier!

5. Now, the exciting bit! Grill your decked-up toasts for approx 5 mins. Wait till you see that cheese bubbling and turning golden. Voila, lunch is served!

Note 📌

Feel free to be creative with the bread and toppings.

Half a bread roll or a tortilla wrap can also make for a fun twist!

You could even turn lunch prep into a mini topping-party with your little ones.

Pre-make the pizza sauce, grill vegetables, grate the cheese, and let them design their own culinary masterpieces.

Just a heads-up though, it's best enjoyed straight away and not stored for later.

Until next time, bon appétit! 🍽️🥳

Keep reading here.

Daily DIY

Glow-in-the-Dark Flip-Flops

Using craft sticks and foam, your children can create adorable octopi, perfect for an undersea adventure right at home.

Shop Glow-in-the-Dark paint.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

These are the superhero sidekicks of the mom world.

They've saved me from countless pacifier-related meltdowns and the versatility is just the cherry on top. 🙌 

Silicone Toy Safety Straps

Game

Parenting Quiz

What is an appropriate bedtime for a school-age child? (Answer below)

A) 6:00 PM

B) 7:00 PM

C) 8:00 PM

D) 9:00 PM

E) Whenever they want

Mom’s Meme 🤣

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Answer

C) 8:00 PM