Chaotic Calendar: Calming Family Schedules

We’ve been organizing all month! The mudroom’s clutter is corralled and the laundry room is arranged for active duty. Let’s tackle the chaotic calendar! Use these tried and true tips for calming family schedules in your home.

“Calendar Chaos” is a popular class I lead. Every family struggles in one way or another with determining what events to participate, how many activities to be part of, and just how busy is too busy. The calendar speaks volumes as to what’s really important to your family.

First Things First: The Physical Calendar

To begin getting organized and calm the chaotic calendar, start with the physical calendar. Find what works for you. A calendar on the laptop, linked on cell phones, a whiteboard or a chalkboard  in a hallway are a few ideas.

The seemingly antiquated system of a wall calendar is the result of many years of trying other tactics at my house. The big calendar on the kitchen wall works. As visual learners, a color-coded calendar works. Five Sharpie colors, (red, blue, green, purple, and black for all family member activities) delineate who’s who on the calendar. One quick glance and everyone knows who is going where.

Separate the Good from the Best Activities

Once the logistics are in order, look at what’s written on the calendar. Talk about your family’s about priorities.

• What are our priorities?
• Even if all the activities are good, which ones are best?
• How does the calendar reflect family priorities?
• Are there dates, Family Fun Nights, and family dinners scheduled?
• Is the schedule booked every single day?
• Is there time to be silly, relax, and have fun?
• Are we flexible with the schedule?
• Is there a balance between service to God and personal pursuits?

Calm the chaotic calendar by discussing these questions. Determine what to cut, what to keep, and how to create margin. Schedules are negotiable! Figure out what you all really want to participate in and what’s just busyness. Then be intentional with the plan. It takes strength and commitment to say NO to activities that are stretching your family too far. And it’s okay to not commit to everything. (Truly, your children will not suffer if they don’t participate in dance, piano, soccer, basketball, baseball, and hockey all before kindergarten). Consider time for service to others, worship, activities at church, and Bible study.

Get rid of the clutter by focusing on the priorities. Keep the best and dump the rest. Alleviate stress and get organized by carefully choosing what goes on your family calendar.

 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3

Copyright ©2013 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.

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