Communication, Calendars & Checklists
School in Richmond, VA starts the day after Labor Day. So, August is the perfect time to begin preparing for the next nine months of homework, carpools, after school activities and keeping track of it all. Whether you have a son or daughter going to school for the first time or returning for another year, taking responsibility to be organized and prepared will make the school year run much smoother!!
The number one key to keeping an organized and well-functioning household schedule is… communication! Keeping an open line of communication, and keeping track of it, will eliminate the struggles of keeping up with everyone’s whereabouts. Although coordinating a family calendar may seem like a challenge, keeping up with every family member’s schedule will easily resolve conflicts and avoid potential misunderstandings for everyone in the house.
Keep a family calendar in a high traffic area in your house. Think of everything everyone has: sports practices, piano lessons, games, church events, band practice, work meetings, social outings, birthday parties, doctor’s appointments, everything!! Fill in the calendar… and keep it updated. Don’t know where to start in finding a family calendar? You might like Amy Knapp’s Big Grid Family Organizer. Or, if you like using a dry erase marker so you can easily change things, take a look at the Monthly Wall Calendar.
Maintaining a family calendar is all about communication and planning, so hold regular family meetings to discuss updates, changes and new-happenings. You don’t need a gavel and a secretary to take notes, just start by asking “What’s going on this week?” when you finish dinner on Sunday. Just a simple question can get the conversation flowing and the planning happening!
To get you started creating a family calendar we created a simple checklist to begin preparation for the back-to-school rush.
Going Back to School Checklist
Kathy Jenkins is the President of Come To Order, a Certified Professional Organizer®, Student Organizer, Certified Family Manager Coach, Writer and Speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of NAPO and ICD and is dedicated to helping her clients simplify their lives by reducing clutter, organizing their homes and offices, and managing their time. Kathy especially enjoys working with kids and their families to help them learn good organizational skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. Follow Kathy on Facebook.
