Containing the Chaos - Keeping Track of Family Schedules

​Whether you are a family with 5 busy children or you are a household of 2 empty nesters, it can be difficult to keep up with the different schedules of each member of your family.  I know there are days when I have trouble keeping up with just myself!!! 
 
Each member of the family may have their own app, day planner, or other organizational tool, but having a central calendar with everyone’s activities located in one place can help your family run more smoothly and efficiently.  We all learn differently and have different preferences, so the trick is finding what type of central command calendar works best for you and your family.

​A few methods that have worked for us over the years include:

The Dry Erase Calendar
​This is a great option because every member of your family can see it and know what is going to be happening over the coming days/weeks.   Post the dry erase calendar in a common area of the home where everyone will see it.  You can make changes to the calendar quickly and easily if your plans change, too!

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The Printed Calendar
​This is another excellent option that allows everyone in the family to see what is on the schedule – no electronic devices needed!  Simply print the week(s) you want to display (print for free from your computer’s calendar), fill in all of your important dates and appointments, and hang it in a central location in your home.  The weekly printed calendar can allow for a lot of extra information….color code your calendar by using a special color ink for each family member or write the meal plan for the week at the bottom of each day….and never have to answer the question “What’s for dinner?” again!

Family Organizing Apps 
​Apps require all family members to have their own phone in order to see the family calendar as a whole.  It’s probably a perfect choice for a family with teenagers!  There are many different apps out there that can work for the family that prefers to use an electronic form of schedule keeping.  One that I like is called the Cozi Family Organizing App.  The Cozi App has the following features: shared family calendar, color coded calendar, shopping lists, to-do lists, family journal, recipe box, and more if you opt for the paid version of the app.

A perpetual calendar is a great idea for those special dates that happen every year (like birthdays and anniversaries).  This is a calendar that is intended to be kept over time.  Simply fill in the important events on the calendar and then refer to it year after year – adding new dates to it as you need to.  You will amaze all of your friends and family by always remembering to say “Happy Birthday” and you don’t have to worry about transferring the dates from one calendar to the next year after year!

​Life gets busy and our brains can only hold so much information – right?!?!  Hopefully one of these suggestions will help you and your family stay on top of everything!

​~ Emily & Jen