Want to better organize your family and their activities? Who doesn’t?!?!
One great way to accomplish this is with a family calendar, where all activities/events that concern the family are documented in one place.
Here are a few ideas to get you started on a family calendar:
- It’s best to use a large calendar with plenty of space per day to write; that way complete information can be shared, and you aren’t worried about cryptic entries on the calendar that no one can decipher. There are different layouts for wall calendars; some are the more common grid (like the one pictured above), and some (like the one pictured below)are more “linear.”
- Another thing to consider is if you want a regular wall calendar, a “desk pad” calendar that you can tear off when the new month starts (that’s what I use), or a dry erase one that you re-write each month with dry erase markers. It depends on what you prefer, and what is most effective for your family’s organization. I use a Mary Engelbreit calendar that I bought at Currentcatalog.com – it looks like a desk calendar, but has magnets on the back. My sister uses a dry erase board for a calendar. For a good example of the system that my sister uses, you can check out her blog post here: Color-Coded OCD
- Use colored markers or highlighters to delineate which activities/events “belong” with which family member. You can do this either by family member (i.e. each family member has their own designated color), or by category (i.e. red for work, yellow for school, green for sports, etc.) Use a color system that will work for you, and be easy for all family members to remember and use.
- Set aside a time each month where you go over the upcoming month and fill in the calendar with any activities/events that are not already noted on the calendar. Setting a time and date to do this prevents you from *thinking* it got put on the calendar … and then missing an important activity. This leads to stress … and we are trying to get away from stress.
- Post the calendar in an area where it will be seen daily by all members of the household. The kitchen will work well for almost every family, or a well-traveled hallway or family room might be another choice.
Ours is right on the front of the refrigerator – it’s magnetized with heavy duty magnets, so it doesn’t fall off – even when the fridge door gets slammed shut.
