As moms, we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. We manage the household, our kids’ activities, and run all the errands. We balance work and home life, buy groceries, make sure there’s toilet paper, everyone has clothes that fit (kids never stop growing!), and the other million tiny details to keep life in order. Even though it seems like we do it all, the day-to-day chaos makes it really hard to do anything but just survive.
Combine that with being a natural introvert and homebody, and I needed a plan to keep track of the important things (because mom brain). When you are living through life with littles, you tend to just go through the motions. After trying many different things, I created a word document I use to keep my life together. I call it my Family Calendar.
I have LOVED this thing! No more looking for that missing post-it note or snoozing reminders on my phone.
It’s all in one place, and I use this with my calendar to keep track of all. the. things.
Kid keeps talking about wanting a steam engine? Make a note on your Family Calendar for birthday gift ideas. Coworker mentioned having a great time at the St. Patrick’s Day parade? Adding in for next year to check it out. New baby in your life? Add the date for next year now so you’re not sending a crap gift two days late via amazon prime. The Family Calendar has solved your issues!
No more scrambling to get things done or remember the million things to do or ideas with nowhere to put them.
Join me in making things a little easier on yourself! Get your laptop and a calendar and start making a list of all the things you want to be sure to keep track of. I started with a column for the event, then added the actual date and finally a column for notes. I put in family and friends’ birthdays first, then holidays, seasons, and finally other random events I didn’t want to forget, like when daylight savings time happens and when we usually take a family photo or send a Christmas card. Finally, think back on all of your favorite memories with your kids and see if you want to add those down. I put these under the season as a mini bucket list.
Here is a (very brief) example of my Family Calendar:
Family Calendar 2018
| Event | Date | Notes |
| Grandpa Birthday | 1/25 | Gifts last year- mug, beer, balloon & card |
| Valentine’s Day | 2/14 | Send cards to family, treat for kids and hubby |
| Summer | 6/21 | Deep Clean House
Summer Bucket List- visit all the splash pads, ArtsFest, Kids Day at the Farmer’s Market, road trip to Drive-in |
| Kid Birthday | 8/4 | Gift ideas- lovey-bear/bunny
Birthday treat at home day of-TBD Front step photo- individual and family Complete baby book and birthday book section |
| Fall | 9/22 | Deep Clean of House, mums for front steps
Fall Bucket List- Wilson’s Apple Orchid, Iowa Football, Order Halloween Costumes |
| Cousin Birthday | 10/1 | Mail gift week before, last year- books & temporary tattoos |
| Halloween | 10/25 | Trunk or treat, leave candy on front step
Costume Ideas- Family theme? |
| Christmas | 12/25 | Order kids matching X-mas pajamas
Hash brown casserole and muffins for Christmas morning Take annual family photos w/extended family |
Now, don’t forget to keep this a working document. Mine is in Word so I can update it as needed. I keep the prior years to keep track of gift ideas, activities, and things to remember.
That’s it. How will you use this going forward?
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