Tips to Organize Your Family Calendar in 2023

December 20, 2022  |  Published by


Parenting is a roller coaster of things to remember. From soccer practice and dentist appointments to field trips and monthly PTA meetings, the lists can seem never-ending.

Whether you are a family of 2 or 12, keeping an organized family calendar can sometimes feel overwhelming. So how can you make it easier? What’s the best way to ensure you don’t overschedule? How can everyone get on the same page?

We’ve put together some of our favorite tips to help keep everyone – including you – on task, on time, and happy.

Photo by Carl Heyerdahl
Photo by Carl Heyerdahl

Technology Can Save You Time & Frustration

There’s no denying it: technology speeds up the way we do things. Things like mobile calendars chiming, vibrations buzzing, and reminders ringing tend to keep us fresh and on top of our tasks. Try using apps like Apple Notes or Apple Reminders to stay on top of deadlines, meetings, recitals, and appointments.

Looking to manage necessary paperwork? From medical documents and utility bills to passports and birth certificates, technology has the potential to be your personal assistant. For example, instead of having various files in multiple locations on your computer, use the ‘Extract PDF’ tool to organize essential documents by placing them into a single file, making everything easier to find when needed.

 

Stick Together

Sometimes children decide they aren’t in the mood to cooperate, and it can be instinctual to match their behavior. While this can be frustrating, it is vital to stick together. To help your child understand that your family is a cohesive team, try using soft encouragement while explaining the purpose and importance of their role in the errands and chores. Whether they’re feeding the goldfish, picking up their toys, or just tagging along in the car while you make a run to the bank, everyone wants to feel like a valued member of the family.

 

Time Chunking

Suppose you don’t have time to even think about tackling an afternoon of cleaning out the garage. Start little by little! The path to organization is about allocating a designated time to one task before moving on to the next. This way, you will likely achieve task #1 because you won’t be distracted by task #2 or #3 on your list. Apps like Clockify and TimeSlice can help keep an accurate time log of what needs to be done, especially for bigger families!

 

Organize Systemically

When you want to reorganize a space (or calendar!) so that you can easily find things when you need them, organizing systemically is an excellent way to do so. While sorting, labeling, color coding, or alphabetizing can be time-consuming in the beginning, you’ll be thankful for putting in the effort in the long run.

 

Wall Calendars & Task Lists Are Great For Little Ones

Sometimes you just prefer a physical calendar over something digital. We get it. In this case, try opting for something that includes your child! For example, purchase a large hanging calendar or dry erase board (easier for cancelling or moving events/tasks!) and put it in a central location like on the fridge or in the family room. Then include your child when you add things that pertain to them, like lessons or chores. This can act as a great visual layout for them, which can encourage their curiosity and communication.

Photo by Brina Blum
Photo by Brina Blum

Staying on top of your schedules and to-do lists will take practice! Try to make the most of the tools available to you, and reach out to your loved ones for help if you need it. And remember, it’s okay to run a few minutes late to a piano lesson or not get around to everything on your never-ended list of chores. You got this!

In need of parenting support? Click here to learn more about receiving expert resources, tools, and materials to make parenting easier for both you and your child.

Danielle Porter is a home decorating consultant and mom of two young children. She created www.themamapoppins.com to share her experiences as a busy, working mom, as well as offer advice and support to fellow moms.

Madeleine Lovett

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *