Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by The Smetz Files
Is managing the family schedule stressing you out, too? Read three ways I try to make it all work!
When it works, that’s a great feeling. When it doesn’t I find myself frustrated and irritable. It – the schedule, managing the chaos, and making the everyday minutiae happen. IT can be a lot.
Three Ways I Try to Make it Work
- Shared calendars
- Weekly family schedule
- Building in free time
I love nurturing the kids’ interests and working to make sure they’re exploring a variety of activities. Of course, this sometimes looks like chaos and a jam-packed schedule. Here are three ways I try to manage the frenzy that is our schedule (disclaimer: NOT always pretty!).
Shared Calendars
Years ago, even before kids Jay and I began using shared calendars across our devices to keep our schedules aligned. Shared calendars are helpful because at a glance I can see if we have something planned and can respond to new requests quickly. And let’s be real, the notifications and reminders have alerted me when I have forgotten an important task! I like shared calendars so we can see if one of us has a committee meeting or volunteer event. Shared calendars are also helpful in determining who needs to pick up whom, where, and what time.
Weekly Family Schedule
More recently we have kept a wipe off board in the kitchen to help the kids see what the week ahead looks like. It’s a simple list we update each Sunday. On the left are the days of the week and then we list the big one to two things that happen that day (kid related). The kids have taken ownership of updating this and adding things mid week as needed. They can easily see the week at a glance and helps us discuss time management (e.g. getting special projects or homework packets completed on off nights). Which leads me to a more recent, but needed action: scheduling free time.
Building in Free Time
One drawback to being involved in a lot of activities is the constant on-the-go feeling. To minimize the inherent stress that causes, we are more intentional about building in free time to rest, reset, and recalibrate. This seems like a no brainer, but I struggled sticking to this as we came out of the pandemic and demands on our time gradually increased. This is still one I don’t do well (progress over perfection!). But I am working on it.
Free time is sometimes a rainy afternoon playing board games and watching movies. Other times free time is a bike ride or walking the trails. Jay and I try to spend time in the driveway playing with the kids, especially when Bronx can enjoy the afternoon sun with us.
I can be guilty of powering through to make it all work, but usually that means I am not thinking clearly. Using a shared calendar, involving the kids in a weekly family schedule, and building in free time has helped get us where we want to be and ensure we are intentional about rest. I would love to hear how you make it all work!
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