Creating a Family Calendar

If you are like me then you know how confusing it can be if every family member is scrambling to go where they need to be. One thing that you may want to do is to create a family calendar where all appointments can be placed in the same place so everyone knows where the other members of the family are. It is fairly simple to do this and I can tell you that it works well with my large family. When you have 8 individuals needing to be places and there is a need of transportation that must be scheduled then a calendar of events is needed. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Decide what type of calendar you want to have. I have one that goes inside my family binder. You may want one that hangs on the wall. It may be a possibility that while there is a family calendar certain individuals when need to have their own planner as well. Discuss this as a family so that the right decision is made
• Start with filling the calendar in with monthly appointments and commitments.
• Second add Birthdays, sport practice, any sport games that the family will attend
• After filling in those two spots your calendar may start looking a bit full all ready. Are you over booked anywhere? Do family members need to be in more than one place at a time? If so take time now to create answers to conflicts so that they are not surprises later on.
• Make it an important family time to check the calendar daily for all members of the family that way everyone knows what to expect for the day and coming week. One idea for this is have family members take turns announcing what is listed on the family calendar.
• It is important that adults set the example for the family by adding any event that might spring up. Remind children that they need to include their activities on the calendar because if they don't they might not be able to do them
• Knowing what is on the calendar will allow you to make better plans. If individuals ask you to do something that will cause a time conflict and it is not of high importance simply say no or that you would love to at another time
• It is a great idea that you try to schedule family time as well as time to just rest. If the calendar gets too full the family will become exhausted and life will not be as great as it could be.

I hope these tips help you and your family organize a calendar so that you know which direction you are all going in.