Apps for Parents: ParentDish's Top 10 Picks

Every parent with an iPhone, Android device or iPad knows how much fun kids have playing with the gadgets. But, beyond the games, there are plenty of apps for parents out there that can help moms and dads with their daily kid duties.

Here are ParentDish's top 10 apps for parents:

1. WebMD Mobile
Why it's cool: Bring the popular medical website with you wherever you are so that you can check your child's symptoms. The app also includes information about local medical resources.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Price: Free

2. myChevrolet
Why it's cool: Owners of a 2011 Chevrolet car or truck can use this app to schedule service appointments, access their OnStar account and more. And anyone can use the extremely handy GPS-enabled "Find My Car" feature. No more playing the "Now, where did I park?" game.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Price: Free

3. Sit or Squat
Why it's cool: When you gotta go, you gotta go. The question is -- where? Sit or Squat makes finding a potty a little bit easier. Simply punch in your ZIP code to see where your little one (or you) can go. Sponsored by Charmin (of course).
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, BlackBerry
Price: Free

4. Google Apps for Mobile
Why it's cool: Bow to the Google overlords! The company that does just about everything online is now helping us do our jobs as parents. Google's collection of mobile apps and services may not be made specifically for those of us with children, but they're so useful that they might as well be. Google Maps for Mobile helps you get the kids where they need to go -- just turn on the Traffic Layer to see which route to avoid. Those with Android-powered phones can use the new Voice Actions to make life easier when all you have is one hand. Say "note to self -- buy diapers" to send yourself an e-mail reminder to pick up the Pampers. Other voice actions include making calls, and of course the good old Google search.
Devices: All
Price: Free

5. AllRecipes Dinner Spinner
Why it's cool: What's for dinner? Get the answer with this handy app from AllRecipes.com. Pick whatever ingredients you like and spin your way to a tasty meal.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price: Free; $2.99 Pro version adds features including shopping lists and recipe sharing

6. White Noise Baby
Why it's cool: This app is designed to help parents with a very important task -- getting your baby to sleep. Simply select one of the looped sounds, including Car Ride, Doppler Ultrasound, Wind Chimes and 12 more, pick a time, then sit back and relax while junior (hopefully) drifts off to dreamland. Special features include turning off notifications, so phone calls don't disturb your precious bundle's slumber, and battery life optimization so you can still play Angry Birds when the little guy or gal wakes up.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Android, Palm webOS
Price: $0.99. The company offers other versions for various platforms with a range of features, including the free White Noise LITE, which includes 10 sounds and is ad-supported, and the $0.99 White Noise Recorder, which lets parents record and loop their own sleepytime hit parade.

7. IsWhen
Why it's cool: If you're like us, you never seem to know when certain holidays are. The standard iPhone calendar program does not include this information, so IsWhen is there to fill in the gaps.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or online
Price: Free

8. MomAgenda
Why it's cool: Many moms (and even a few dads) love the MomAgenda line of paper and pen organizers. But what about parents who want to go paper-free? In September, MomAgenda dove into the digital age with its iPad app. Why the delay? MomAgenda's founder Nina Restieri needed the large screen that Apple's popular device offers. And with all the parent-friendly features packed into this well-designed app, it's easy to see why.
Devices: iPad
Price: $4.99

9. iReward Chart
Why it's cool: This is the perfect app for tracking your children's behavior and the rewards they get for being good. Stickers are so 20th century.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Cost: Free LITE version limited to one kid, four tasks per week and unlimited rewards. Full version (unlimited), $3.99

10. Cedemo
Why it's cool: Let's face it: No matter how cool and connected we think we are, there is simply no way for parents to keep up with the onslaught of video games released each year. That's why European-based video game marketing firm Cedemo released a new app that allows parents to enter the title of a game to get all the info they need to make a buying decision. If you're at a real store (remember those?), simply scan the barcode of the box and -- bam! -- game ratings, descriptions, even videos pop right up.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Price: Free