Tips for Optimizing Your Family's Schedule
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Managing a schedule is hard, managing the schedules of multiple people is even harder. There are work meetings, school events, doctor’s appointments, family functions, vacations, holidays… A family calendar is often packed with endless events and to-do’s, here are a few ways to stay on top of all those demands and make a routine for your family’s schedule:
1. Track ALL of your events
Make a list of all the things you need to keep on the schedule regularly, things like meetings, soccer practice, family time, etc. Then add a list of events that happen less regularly but still need to be kept on track like regular doctor and dentist appointments, school events and family outings/vacations.
2. Keep it all in one calendar
Scheduling is much easier when you can sync all the information to one place. You can use the Maple app to house all your family and household tasks, events, reminders and notifications. You can even sync your Google Calendars to bring everything together in one place.
Setting reminders is so helpful, some people check their calendar or schedule regularly throughout the day and others prefer to have a reminder go off to get them started on their next task or event.
3. Make a routine that works for your family
Keep in mind who you’re scheduling for and what each person in the family needs.
Prioritize things that must get done / scheduled in a timely manner and try to push out and reschedule events and activities that aren’t on a strict deadline. This way these tasks won’t be forgotten, but are more aligned with your priorities. For example, scheduling your annual physical is more important than cleaning out your garage. Schedule the doctor's appointment and push out the date for garage cleaning if need be.
4. Share the planning load
Share the load both with planning and execution. You don’t need to be the planner of everything. Delegate family-related scheduling tasks like making kids medical appointments or scheduling home maintenance. Each household member can contribute to the family schedule.
Pro tip: have weekly meetings with your partner / family to review the upcoming schedule and make adjustments.
5. Time blocking
Time blocking works well for the activities and appointments that need to happen regularly. As you work on your family schedule, try to block out sections of the day for accomplishing daily tasks like checking emails, working on household chores and time for yourself.
6. Make time for fun - and protect it!
It’s also important to schedule breaks and make time for some fun and self-care. You’re much more likely to follow-through with your self-care time if it’s planned and built into your schedule every day. Protect your special times - time with family, time to yourself, time to do certain tasks that are non-negotiable.
7. Be flexible and make edits
Remember that sometimes things change. You can make regular edits to your schedule, re-evaluate the schedule you create after a week or two to see what’s working and what’s not. It’s okay to say “no” and limit extra activities that aren’t necessary. You can edit your schedule and your life when you need to, this goes back to prioritizing and making adjustments.