The easy part of this answer is to start carrying a calendar! Bring a planner that’s appropriate for you--either paper or electronic--where you can include everyone’s schedule.
The reality is that planning the logistics of our modern lives is a huge challenge. When you’re juggling schedules for your kids, your spouse and yourself, it comes down to making the schedule very clear for everyone that's on your team.
You also need a calendar that everyone can refer to. Then put this calendar in a place where everyone can easily see it. Remind everyone to look at the family calendar to see if anything is happening.
Spend 10 to 15 minutes every night talking about the next day with your kids and your spouse. By the time your child is 9 or 10, you can teach him or her to take responsibility to fill in calendar items. You can also buy your child an August-to-August personal calendar, where he or she can write in friends’ birthdays, school events, assignment due dates, or anything that he or she thinks is important.
Even much younger kids can learn to look at the family calendar. Your daughter doesn’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow after school. Look at the calendar. Wow, she has a playdate! Now she knows what to expect.
Janine Sarna-Jones
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Do you have some suggestions for a hardcopy calendar that will fit in a medium-size pocketbook?
I'd recommend looking for a calendar where you can actually block out the time. A month at a glance isn't good for an entire family. You want to be able to draw a line from 1-3 PM (for example) if that's when you're having lunch. The visual representation of time is helpful.
Also don't forget to block out travel time to and from events. If it takes 15 minutes, allow for 25 minutes. If you arrive somewhere early, use that time to enjoy a magazine, return a phone call or if you're carrying a PDA catch up on your email.
A calendar that has multiple columns per day, will allow you to block out time for each person. This is very helpful if you have several children who all need to be in different places at the same time. You'll easily be able to see where you need carpool assistance!
A final tip would be to use color in your calendar. Maybe use red for the stuff that is not flexible, and purple for the items you'd 'like' to do if you have time. Some people enjoy a different color for each person. Be careful, too much color can be distracting.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Scott Roewer http://www.declutteryou.comI am understress.I am dealing with famliy crisis alone.I need help MY house is a shamble.My house was sold in auction on sept 2 08 we had a lawsuit on the house, because we were involved in mortgage fraud,they took our grand deed without fullfilling there end of bargain.Meanwhile we try to work it out with our lender.The house had a lease pendence on it .The new owner came and mentioned in front of my 7 & 8 year old that he bought my house and seved me with three day notice. My daughters were distraught.I do have an attorney and we do plan to fight it.But how do i cope with this,? I cant seem to focus.I always been disorganzided but with this problem I am worse. this morning now they severed me with sixty day notice.I need advice! Tabitha
I Really do like reading your advice items, you really do give good advice but there is something that i would like to you.(my son is 5 years old seem lkie everyday or every other day the teaches or writting or calling about him keeping his hands to his self. his father and i have talked to him also my mom and father but seem like nothing is not doing no good pease tell me what can we do.)