Create a Family Calendar:
Use a shared calendar to keep track of everyone's activities and appointments.
Creating a family calendar and effectively using it can significantly streamline communication and organization within the household. This can save you from some unnecessary arguements in the household. In our house we would miss appointments and find ourselves running late to every occasion.
Now that we have implemented these 5 Tips to creating a better family game plan. Here are the five tips to help you make the most of a shared family calendar:
- Choose a Centralized Platform: Select a calendar platform that allows multiple users to access and update it easily. Popular options include Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or dedicated family organizer apps like Cozi or FamCal. My family uses Google Calendar for all of our needs.
- Color-Code Events: Assign a specific color to each family member to quickly identify who has events or appointments at a glance. This visual distinction helps everyone stay informed about each other's schedules without confusion. We use Blue for family time because its the coolest time of our day!
- Include All Family Members' Activities: Ensure that the calendar includes not only parents' work schedules and appointments but also children's school activities, extracurriculars, sports practices, and any other commitments. This comprehensive approach prevents scheduling conflicts and ensures everyone's activities are accounted for. I even put my husbands dental appointments in.
- Set Reminders and Alerts: Utilize reminder features to alert family members about upcoming events or appointments. Set reminders for important tasks such as packing for a trip, bringing sports equipment, or preparing for school projects. We get reminders the way we want. Alexa will give us a verbal reminder if we are at home. If we are away our watch/phone will alert.
- Regularly Update and Review: Encourage all family members to update the calendar promptly whenever new events or changes occur. Schedule a weekly family meeting or check-in to review the upcoming week's schedule together. This practice helps everyone stay on the same page and adjust plans as needed. We try to review the night before, especially before the weekends and holidays!
By implementing these tips, a family calendar becomes a powerful tool for coordinating schedules, reducing conflicts, and fostering better organization and communication within your household.
