The Struggle Is Real
Have you ever heard any of these phrases?
“I didn’t know we had plans!”
“You never told me about that!”
“What is your work schedule?”
“When did I make that appointment?”.
I’ve not only heard them, I’ve said them. If you have a spouse or a family these words are all too common. It is tough to keep track of all the commitments a family has. So how do you keep track of your family’s schedule without losing your sanity?
This is something I struggled with for a long time. Even before my husband and I had kids, I always had our family appointments locked away in my phone or planner. I was consistently failing to share the household schedule with my husband. He would get frustrated with me for leaving him out of the loop and I would get frustrated with him for not knowing what was going on. It was a vicious cycle to say the least. If anyone ever writes a handbook for newlyweds there needs to be a chapter on communicating about schedules!
I knew that we needed to change, but I had to figure out the best way to keep track of our schedule and share it with him. We have tried several systems over the years, but this is the one I find works best. Here is how to manage your family’s schedule without losing your mind and a free printable for you.
Create a Visual Schedule
Create a Visual ScheduleI love technology, but I am still the type of person that likes to see things written out. I had a feeling my husband might pay more attention to a calendar he could see at any time. Not long after I came to the realization that our calendar communications stunk I decided we need a calendar we could both see. After much trial and error I came up with this simple weekly calendar.
My goals for the calendar were:
- Share the family calendar with my husband
- Put the calendar on one 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper so it fits on the fridge.
- Make the format easy to follow.
- Track events and commitments for every family member.
- Leave space for upcoming events.
The Weekly Family Calendar
What I love about this calendar is that you can easily see each day. I was able to fit five slots on the calendar so that each of my family member gets a slot as well as the dogs. I also have a column where I can quickly plan out our dinners each night. The last spot is a for any upcoming events or notes you want to make.
How it Works
At the end of the week, I sit down at my computer, update the calendar for the upcoming week and print it out. That may sound tedious, but it is really simple and easy. It refreshes my memory and really prepares me for what is coming up in our schedule. The best part is that my husband looks at the calendar every day! The frustrations that we both felt about our schedule are gone! Ready to get your family schedule on track? Fill out the form below to get your free printable calendar! I have a 1 week and 3 week version available for you.
Want to know how to fill in a PDF if you don’t have Adobe? Check out this awesome tutorial by Laura at I Heart Planners
Thank you for doing this. Your work is so lovely and it’s really kind of you to share.
Loving this calendar! Thank you for sharing it with us.