WATCH: Sandton resident creates app to help busy parents manage kids’ schedules

Tech-savvy Sandton resident Nthati Mthembu recently created an app to aid busy parents in managing their children’s schedules, Sandton Chronicle reports.

As a mother of two with a busy work schedule, Mthembu found it particularly tough to plan lifts for her children each day, with multiple people assisting at various times. “As soon as the children leave the house, it becomes a logistical nightmare.

READ MORE: Could a mobile app help treat mental health problems?

“It is complex managing people, and I worry about people who don’t pitch and those who might get stuck in traffic. I was constantly writing detailed emails to family members, and it became complicated, stressful and time-consuming.”

The Live Connected app is available on iTunes and Google Play. Photo: Sarah Koning

As she works in the IT environment, Mthembu toyed with the idea of creating an app that could solve her dilemma. In 2016, she started creating the Live Connected app, which serves as a family management tool.

The African saying, It takes a village to raise a child, is true for Mthembu and she uses the app to add people to her ‘village’ who can assist with pick-ups and drop-offs. This can include nannies, parents, aunts, grandparents, au pairs and drivers, to name a few.

A schedule is created in collaboration with village members to arrange lifts, with connected members receiving notifications about their commitments.

Parents can also track their children’s location, whether or not a lift has arrived and view milestones in their children’s lives that they might otherwise have missed as working parents.

“The app has forced me to plan ahead for each child’s schedule. It means I don’t have to contact my husband at the last minute to arrange a lift and ensures better communication between me and those lifting my kids. The app gives me more control of my life.”

A few months ago, Mthembu connected with mLab, a local tech start-up accelerator, which assisted her to pilot the app and receive feedback from those who tried it out so that any glitches could be ironed out.

The app went live three weeks ago and Mthembu encourages busy parents to download it and send feedback regarding their experience.

Nthati Mthembu demonstrates the newly launched Live Connected app. Photo: Sarah Koning