Strategic Organization Vol. 5
Unlock Summer Harmony: Paper + Digital Planning
Color-coding calendars doesn’t work for everyone, but we’re trying it this summer.
As summer approaches, families are gearing up for a season filled with activities, vacations, and aspirations of some down time, I hope. For many, organizing the chaos of summer schedules requires a strategic approach, often blending the convenience of digital planning with the clarity of a tangible paper calendar.
Best of Both Worlds
Our family juggles a bustling summer schedule with the help of both electronic and paper planners. As an entrepreneur mother juggling schedules for three kids and one coach husband, I find that using both a digital calendar combined with a large paper calendar helps me stay on top of everything.
I love the accessibility of always having my calendar with me and being able to share it with my husband, but I really need a big picture of at least a month at a time on paper or my brain crumbles. This sentiment resonates with many who find that digital calendars are excellent for daily management and sharing, while a physical calendar provides a broader perspective of upcoming events and commitments.
The Plan
Last summer, I used the Essential Calendar to map out our summer. It worked ok, but the washi tape I bought with it to color code for each kid was just too small to write on, read, or move easily. This year, I revised my strategy by color-coding my electronic calendar to match my paper version, and using my very favorite erasable pens instead of washi tape, I’ve been using them in my paper planner for years, but this is the first year that each kid has their own color. This approach allows for seamless coordination between the digital and physical formats, making it easier to track where each of us needs to be. Plus, each kid knows their color and might stop asking me when and where their next game is. A mom can dream.
This year I opted for the undated 13-week calendar with a Monday start, which just barely covers baseball season. I love that we can see the whole season at once. For us, what matters most is knowing where we are on tournament weekends, and when we can escape to the lake! So, I won’t be adding every little thing that happens this summer, like practices or meetings, to the big paper calendar, but we should still be able to get a pretty good view of where we are all supposed to be each week. When is church camp again?
Planning for Next Summer…Already?
Looking ahead to next year, I absolutely love this tip: Keep a sticky note or designated spot in your planner (or in a Notes app on your phone) at the end of every month (or activity season) with reminders of things to add to next year's calendar or remember next year at this time.
If you need me this summer, I’ll be doing this!
Things like when the camp forms are due, the week that you always have a family reunion, or where you put the extra pool filters. You could include a note about what you get for teacher gifts, what someone said they wanted for their birthday, or far-away deadlines. This proactive approach ensures that important lessons and insights from the current summer are captured and applied to future planning, helping to streamline the process and make each summer even more enjoyable. Of course, this tip applies for any month or season!
As families across the country gear up for summer adventures, finding the right balance between digital efficiency and the clarity of paper planning can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and memorable season. Whether it's color-coded calendars or sticky note reminders, a thoughtful approach to planning can transform a potentially hectic summer into a well-organized and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
I know that with a little forethought, and maybe some great erasable pens, you can be the boss of your summer schedule!
