Having some form of a family calendar is vital in having an organized home.

This is especially true if your family is busy and involved in extra activities (i.e. sports, music lessons, meetings, social events, etc.).

For our family calendar, I prefer the big wall calendars that measure about 17" x 22" as they offer plenty of space for writing on each day.

Our family calendar typically includes the following: Mom's night out and church meetings, Dad's monthly evening church and work meetings, kids school schedule (if different than usual), school projects due, doctor appointments and birthdays.

It's also helpful to sit down with the family once per week, usually on a Sunday or Monday, and give everyone a chance to give their input on that week's schedule.

When my husband has an evening meeting, I can have dinner ready between the time he gets home from work and the time he needs to leave.

If I write down weekly school themes or projects for that week, I'm more aware of what's going on in my children's lives at school and can stay updated on what they're doing.

Plus, it I immediately write down a change in the school schedule (such as an early release day), I can avoid a phone call from the school, telling me that my kindergartner has been waiting on me to pick him up for the last 30 minutes!

Um...not that this has ever happened...

Ok, ok, it actually happened and I felt horrible. He stood out there, obediently waiting by the flag pole, and watched all the parents, children and buses leave - and his mother was no where in sight!

I knew an early release day was coming up, but was confused about which day it actually was.

I felt so bad I actually cried while I apologized to him. I think I ended up being more scarred by the experience than him.

I'm the kind of person that doesn't remember anything if I don't write it down. So the family calendar is a real life-saver for me (and my kids).

A family calendar helps keep our family happier and more focused one important things instead of last-minute running around and missing deadlines or important days.