How to Organize Your Family's Calendar

Organizing a calendar for the entire family becomes a complicated task especially when you begin adding family members to the mix. You can organize the family calendar in a variety of different ways and the more organized that you can be the better chance you will have at not forgetting or missing an important event. Whether it's softball practice, a dance recital, or an important parent teacher conference, there are many vital dates and times that need to be scheduled into the family calendar in a way that will be easy to read, uneasy to forget, and perfect for all members to understand. Here are some tips for organizing the family calendar so that you don't miss anything important no matter how busy things are in your life!

Color Coded Entries

Whether you are color coding calendar entries by importance or you color code them by who they are of importance to, there are some valuable lessons to be learned in color coding a family calendar. For instance, you could use a different color for events that pertain to each member of the family. If it's something that you must attend, mark it in one color, if dad must attend use another color, and use a separate color for each of the kids. Another way to color code the calendar is to use separate colors for morning, afternoon and evening appointments so that you have a good understanding of when you need to be prepared to do what.

Add Appointments Regularly

Appointments will pop up at the craziest times--especially when there are kids involved. Adding the appointments to the calendar as soon as you get them will assure that you do not forget about them or forget to get them listed on the calendar in time. No matter what the appointment is for or who it pertains to, add it as soon as possible after hearing about it so that there is no chance that the appointment will be missed! Also, for color coded family calendars, use the appropriate color to add the appointment.

Check the Calendar Regularly

You should always check the family calendar daily! Make a point of checking it and also make a point of having all of the family members check the calendar. This will create a family bond that not only teaches all members of the family to learn how to keep track of what is going on but also to remind each other of important events on the calendar. If mom has a birthday coming up, a quick look at the calendar will alert little Bob to tell Kim about it or so on!

Organize Family Calendars by Importance

Some events are not as important as others. Organizing the calendar to reflect the importance of certain events will help to make sure that you know and remember these events with plenty of time! For instance, if you have a corporate dinner coming up, mark a reminder on the calendar at least a week ahead of time so that there is no worry that you haven't picked out something to wear, scheduled a baby sitter, or any other important things you should do for such a night. Organizing the calendar by importance means that you have marked out reminders of important dates with enough time before the date to become prepared!

Keep a Daily and Weekly Planner in Addition to a Master Calendar

A master calendar works great for keeping track of everyone's important dates throughout the household but you also need an easy to read planner that will keep you on track each day and each week.. A day planner will help you to avoid any confusion during the day if there are multiple appointments scheduled and a weekly planner will assure that you have major key events on you day planner. Keep a day planner and a weekly planner with you at all times so that you can easily look up any immediately coming events and assure that you do not make last minute plans that overlap with one another!