In conversations with other moms, the one question that always seems to come up is “How do you stay so organized with four children?” First, let me say this… I AM NOT A PERFECT MOM. I don’t always have it together, and if it seems like I do, well then you caught me on a good day when my children haven’t pushed all of my buttons {can I get an AMEN}!
I will admit this; being unorganized drives me crazy! I have never considered myself OCD, but when it comes to our family schedule and routines, you can say that I am a bit obsessed with our time and calendar. Having a son on the autism spectrum and who thrives on routine, our schedule is something that I keep consistent at all times {for his sanity and mine}.
For our family, we have fallen in love with the Cozi Family App. Y’all, it is FREE and available via an app on your phone or on the web. It keeps our family schedule as well as my shopping/to-do lists as well as my meal planning. One account is used per family, so there isn’t a need for every person to have a log-in account. It also has a family journal feature where I can have updates sent out to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc about any special events that we had. This has been my planner of choice for over three years. I have tried going back to paper planners, but I just can’t. I am a digital momma! I love my digital calendar that is accessible anywhere and easy to carry {my phone).
Before I went digital, I loved using paper planners. My favorite were the Happy Planners from Me & My Big Ideas. Other moms I know love using the Erin Condren planners and others are doing Bullet Journals. I highly recommend with any planner, that you go into a store {like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s} and actually pick up the planner and touch it. Ask yourself :: do I like the way it’s organized? Do I need one with daily pages by the hour or can I get away with weekly? Does it have a monthly snapshot? Can I see myself carrying this around with me? What would I use this planner for {lifestyle, fitness, Bible study, etc}? You don’t want to have buyers remorse, so make sure the planner you purchase is the one. {HMB actually did a whole paper planner post here, too!}
Here’s the real key :: are you ready?!? After you have made a purchase, you must actually USE your planner. It’s does zero good sitting on your desk or kitchen counter just looking pretty. I make it a point to sit down with my planner every week {usually on a Thursday when I meal plan} and look at events and appointments coming up the following week. I also make sure my appointments do not collide with my husband’s work schedule. Get yourself some pretty markers/pens to write in your planner. {Helpful hint :: I know a lot of friends who color code especially with multiple kiddos. Find what works for you. Make it YOURS! Own it and use it!
Planners are supposed to aid our mess, not add to it, so if you are just not a planner person, that is okay. Do not stress over it. Find a solution that works for you and stick to it.
