Sabrinas Organizing

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home Organization
  • Healthy Recipes
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Browse Gift Ideas
  • Donate Stuff
  • Recycling Events 2025
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home Organization
  • Healthy Recipes
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Browse Gift Ideas
  • Donate Stuff
  • Recycling Events 2025
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
×
Home » Home Organization

Two Calendars Busy Moms Need for Optimal Productivity

Modified: Aug 18, 2025 Published: Aug 25, 2025 by Sabrina Quairoli Visit our "Disclosure Policy and Cookies" page in the menu for details. This post may contain affiliate links. 4 Comments

Spread the love

As working moms/dads reassess what didn't work and prepare for another school year, time management is at the top of their list. Reconfiguring the personal planners and calendars will help them feel less overwhelmed and more organized. Today, I will share two calendars, a wall-mount family calendar and a personal calendar for Working Moms (Dads) to help them get the kids involved in planning and help parents stay on track with their busy families and stay healthy.

Jump to:
  • Wall-Mounted Family Planner Tips
  • Working Mom Personal Planner Tips

Full disclosure: This post shares ACCO products. If you click through, I will receive a small commission if you purchase on their website. Happy shopping!

Below are the products I have reviewed.

  • AT-A-GLANCE® Academic 2025-2026 Monthly Wall Calendar, Large, 15 ½" x 22 ¾" (Affiliate)
  • AT-A-GLANCE® Harmony 2025-2026 Weekly Monthly Planner, Denim, Medium, 7" x 8 ¾" (Affiliate)

Wall-Mounted Family Planner Tips

Being a working mom doesn't mean she needs to do everything for the kids. When they reach 8 or 9, they can write about their activities on the family calendar. Getting kids involved and teaching them about how to add tasks to the family calendar will show them what they and everyone else need to do on which day. An extensive wall-mount calendar will help you with this learning lesson.

Where should the wall-mounted family planner be placed?

A giant calendar can fit on any kitchen wall for easy access. Pick a place where everyone can see and write on it, and near where other things are stored. It can even be in a mud room where they may place their backpacks. I've had a client who created a customized drawer for a large planner like this one because she didn't want it out in the open for every guest to see.

The best type of wall-mounted planner is one with lines to keep the kids on track, and it will have room for every family member. You can make the family wall calendar more organized in a few ways. Below are some tips.

Wall Mount Family Planning Tips

First, use the initials for each child when they write their appointments. For example, using first name initials, like S for Sally and B for Bob, will help each kid know their activities.

Color Markers for appointments in the family calendar

Another thing you can do is assign each child a color. You can use color markers(Affiliate). Colored Gel pens(Affiliate), or colored pencils(Affiliate). Avoid light colors like yellow, which will be hard to read on the family planner. If you do not have colored markers, another option is to use different-colored highlighters(Affiliate) with a pen or pencil.

Week Calendar with highlighter

Whichever method you use, be sure to have a meeting to discuss and inform everyone of their new responsibility with the family calendar. Also, place a wall-mount caddy(affiliate) below the calendar so the writing utensils (affiliate) are accessible to everyone.

When should we update the wall family calendar?

Timing is everything when it comes to updating the family calendar. Some moms and dads like to add the activities right when they get them. If you get the kids' entire sports or dance class schedule ahead of time, they can add them for the whole of the season at the beginning of their season.

However, it may be best to do activities that are assigned weekly or monthly or have a few weeks to do them when they come up.

Whenever it is, the kids should do it right before or right after another activity, like their homework in the evening when mom and dad are around. This way, while they are getting comfortable with these new tasks, you can see what they are writing to ensure it is legible and everyone understands what the written activity describes.

Here is the link for this wall mount planner: AT-A-GLANCE® Academic 2025-2026 Monthly Wall Calendar, Large, 15 ½" x 22 ¾" (Affiliate)

wall mount family calendar

Working Mom Personal Planner Tips

Now that the family wall calendar is ready, let's talk about your working mom's personal planner. Moms and dads may want to start a new planner at the start of the school year. Either works well to keep you on track. Nowadays, personal planners are not just for appointments. They also help you set and track your goals for work, school, home, personal, travel, and giving back activities.

A Monthly Calendar for Planning

Most planners nowadays have a two-page monthly calendar where you can write down upcoming activities and events, to-do lists (affiliate), goals, and any other notes you may have before the month even starts. Jot down the kid's activities, any end-of-year events, or other meaningful events you want to get involved in.

This planner is AT-A-GLANCE® Harmony 2025-2026 Weekly Monthly Planner, Denim, Medium, 7" x 8 ¾" (Affiliate)

Monthly Calendar in Personal Planner

One or Two Page Per Day Planner for daily activities

One or two-day page-per-day planners work great for activities at the moment. This planner could have a top 3 goals for the day section that needs to be completed.

Another section that could be in this personal planner is a to-do list, so you remember to go grocery shopping or head to the pharmacy to pick up the script before you go home.

Top 3 Goals section and to do section

A habit tracker is another section that the planner may have to keep you healthy. Habit trackers usually have a blank area to write the habit. Some habits you can track daily are:

  • water drinking
  • eating vegetables
  • flossing
  • exercising - workout, weight lifting, and walking
  • not eating sugar
  • meditating
  • praying
  • walking the dog
  • not smoking
  • not drinking alcohol
  • washing your face - evening routine (affiliate)
  • journaling
  • sleeping 8 hours
  • not having caffeine
  • quality time with family
  • get to bed by (time)
  • taking vitamins or medicine

There are plenty more habit-tracking ideas. Try tracking only one or two tasks until you get used to it.

Track section of the Planner

Acknowledge Your Win

Another section your personal planner could have is a section to share your win for the day. It's a great time to recognize what that is before you leave for the day - ending your day on a high note.

Win of the day section

Appointments and Time Blocking

Another area your planner should have is an appointment section where you can add meetings and block out time to do undisturbed work. This type of task could be at home or work. The goal is to block out a place on your calendar each day for something that needs your undivided attention.

Appointment Section of the Personal Planner

Reference sections

Another handy section for busy working moms is a planner's look-ahead sections, which include calendars with dates for the coming years and a holiday listing that shares the dates of every holiday throughout the year. If you want to use them, some stickers can be repositioned into different areas to help you keep your tasks moving forward if you can't finish them that day.

Planning your day the night before

Above all else, planning your next day before you leave work will give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your time with your family in the evening. Arriving to work the next day will be a lot easier, and you can start right away without planning or flying by the seat of your pants to put out any fires that have started in the morning.

And here is the link for the other personal planner for a working parent: AT-A-GLANCE® Harmony 2025-2026 Weekly Monthly Planner, Denim, Medium, 7" x 8 ¾" (Affiliate)

Moms busy week planner

This post talked about these two planners:

  • AT-A-GLANCE® Academic 2025-2026 Monthly Wall Calendar, Large, 15 ½" x 22 ¾" (Affiliate)
  • AT-A-GLANCE® Harmony 2025-2026 Weekly Monthly Planner, Denim, Medium, 7" x 8 ¾" (Affiliate)

Conclusion

As busy working parents, we don't always have time for self-care or keeping track of our goals, so delegating some tasks to kids who need to learn the value of planning and remembering things will help them and their parents. They will feel more in control of what they can do with their day and be able to plan for the future. It will also give parents more time to plan and set goals for themselves. It's a win-win.

Do you have any tips that you want to share when buying a planner or a wall-mount family calendar? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Check out my virtual organizing service if you need help creating your personal planner. We can meet via Zoom or phone to discuss your situation and determine the best time management strategy for you.

Looking for more productivity tips? Check out my other posts!

  • “When we are more excited for the next step, we are more willing to get rid of clutter.” ~ Sabrina Quairoli
    The Best Times In Your Life To Get Rid of Clutter
  • a mom and child - cutting vegetables on kitchen counter - title of the post at the center of the square image
    Back to School Success for Families: Complete System for School-Age Kids
  • The Not To Do List Challenge - square image #sabrinasorganizing #challenge
    The Not to Do List Challenge
  • Child holding a book and the title of the post overlay on top
    Useful Children's Books About Organizing Their Lives
Two Calendar a Working Parent Needs to Stay Organized
How to Organize a Wall Mount Family Calendar for Working Moms
The Two Calendars Every Busy Parent needs - image for pinterest
Effective Personal Planner for Working MomS
(Visited 257 times, 5 visits today)

More Home Organization

  • How to make the ultimate wrapping paper zone organizer
    How to Create an Organized Wrapping Paper Zone
  • Organizing Memorabilia Challenge
    Organizing Memorabilia Challenge
  • How to make DIY easy fall flower arrangement vase
    How to Make an Easy Fall Flower Arrangement
  • Finished jute oui jar with lid and flowers on it. Before image at the bottom right. square image
    A Fun Oui Jar with Jute DIY Project

About Sabrina Quairoli

I love sharing my passion for organizing life and home. I hope you get inspired when visiting my home organizing tips, quick weeknight recipes, party planning ideas, and DIY organizing projects. Visit the About Me page to read my story.

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jonda Sue Beattie says

    July 16, 2024 at 4:25 pm

    I personally use two calendars. I have my paper calendar- appointment book that stays on my desk but is packed up and carried with me when I go to my clients or doctor appointments. I use my electronic calendar on my computer and phone for daily tasks.
    When my children were in school, we had a family calendar. There was a rule in my house that said, "If it's not on the calendar, it's not happening."

    Reply
  2. Julie Bestry says

    July 16, 2024 at 2:35 am

    I love the idea for a customized drawer; the house in which I grew up wouldn't have had any place for a wall calendar. The walls were all cabinets or windows (though I suppose you could hang a calendar on the inside of a cabinet). The laundry room was in the basement and not apt; back of the utility room door, approaching the garage might have been the only wall surface that wasn't paneled and inappropriate for hanging things. (1970s designs weren't created with productivity and utility in mind!)

    My mother kept the sole calendar on her kitchen desk, and our job was to report all activities to her for officially recording and checking for conflicts. (And unlike me, my mom wasn't inclined to make a calendar pretty or color-coded; if I had a family and kids, I'd definitely want to do as you've illustrated!) I can only imagine how much more complicated things are for parents who work outside the home than it was for our family in the 1970s, but you've shown how essential (and relatively easy and appealing) this planning can be.

    Reply
  3. Janet Schiesl says

    July 15, 2024 at 5:37 pm

    We used a family calendar (a large laminated desk blotter) that hung on the side of our refrigerator. It was a great spot.
    Each person had their own color of marker and the kids would add their activities like sports practice etc. It was a good lesson.
    I used to put the dinner menu on the calendar as well, which meant no more questions about what's for dinner.

    Reply
  4. Diane N Quintana says

    July 15, 2024 at 9:04 am

    Great post, Sabrina! Your specific advice to parents about putting everything on a family calendar is spot on. I love that you advocate a family meeting to review the process and giving children responsibility for putting their activities on the family calendar is a great way to begin teaching time management.
    We don't often talk about the need for multiple calendars. I'm so happy you did. A family calendar is great but having one for each adult in the family is also a good idea. Some adults may opt to use their electronic calendar or a paper and the calendar in their phone. For me, personally, I like to write things down and I love to see (at a glance) what is on my calendar for the day.

    Reply
Sabrina owner of Sabrina's Organizing and Admin Services

Hey, I'm Sabrina!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog, where you can find Home Organizing, Quick Weeknight Recipes, and DIY Craft Home Organizing Projects. Feel free to browse around to get motivated to improve your home life!

Learn More
Sabrina Morresi Quairoli Received the NAPO Certificate of Study for Essentials of Productivity - digital badge
Sabrina's Organizing Supporting individuals since 1997 BANNER 25 year banner
Ready to Streamline Your Home - Get this year's Declutter Challenge ebook for Free long image

Recent Posts

  • 12 Essential Container Types For Your Next Organizing Projects box and title of post for Instagram
    12 Essential Container Types For Your Next Organizing Projects
  • square image - banana pancake on a plate - with title at the top
    Delicious Gluten Free Dairy Free Egg Free Banana Pancakes Recipe
  • Two Calendar a Working Parent Needs to Stay Organized
    Two Calendars Busy Moms Need for Optimal Productivity
  • square image size - title at the bottom center - showing the inside of the wooden tray project
    Cute and Useful Wooden Jewelry Tray DIY Project

Popular Posts

  • Yummy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
  • Places To Donate Jewelry You Do Not Want
  • The Ultimate Cruise Packing List Everyone Needs
  • 43 Positive Mantra Sayings to Keep You on the…
  • This Year's Recycling and Shredder Events

Planners You And Your Family Will Love!

Buy Yours Today!

For women, mom, etc...

Mom Agenda logo and M in the center - planner in the background

Mom Agenda

Buy Now →

For Students, planning time and homework

OOOC Planners in various colors

Order Out of Chaos® Academic Planners - Student Academic Planners

Buy Now →

For 8x11" Planners Lovers

planner with colorful tabs and open book square image

Simplified by Emily Ley for AT-A-GLANCE®

Buy Now →

(affiliate)

Click on this badge to learn what this badge means on NAPO.net

Sabrina's Organizing & Admin Services Registered & Insured through 2025
Get your free copy of our Home Management binder ebook
Get our Holiday Season Planner to help you save money and time with free checklists and Printables to make this season amazing

Amazon Disclosure


Sabrina's Organizing blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Footer

Visit our "Disclosure Policy and Cookies" for details. Affiliate links appear on this page from Google Adsense, Amazon, Order Out of Chaos, Impact affiliate members, Rakuten affiliate members, and Awin affiliate members.

Services

Banner ad for Sabrina's Organizing Solution meeting services - has a check and says What do you get for this service?
Face-to-face with an Expert; 1-2 hour meeting duration
Plus, a personalized Solution Report with customized room-by-room plans in 24 Hours
Let's Talk to Get a Fresh Perspective of Your Home!
I want a fresh perspective
This fee is for a 1–3-bedroom home or a small single-room office. 
For larger homes, please get in touch with me to discuss your specific situation. 
-horizontal banner ad
banner ad that says Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss on how to finish the goal quickly and easily? Need someone to help you be accountable to complete your goal? This service is for you! What's your goal? Organizing Accountability for one(1) room or small area Important Smaller Organizing Projects - See examples on service page. Staying Consistently Accountable to Tasks Ready to Get Your Goals Done? Let's Talk Today. -horizontal banner ad

My Cookbook for Sale

banner ad with my information about my ebook - Do you love to Grill but don't like to make a Meal Plan? This digital cookbook shares 14 recipes (Entrée, Side, & Dessert) to choose from, allowing you to mix and match to create your own 3-course dinner your family will love!

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
  • Google Analytics Privacy Statement and Opt-Out Option
Sabrina's Organizing Supporting individuals since 1997 BANNER 25 year banner

Certifications and Associations

  • 2025 NAPO Business Stamp of Approval
Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli received Essentials of Productivity Certificate of Study from NAPO.

Contact

  • Contact
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing Consults
  • Write for Us
Productivity and Organizing Blog Carnival Ultimate Star Blogger Member
Sabrina's Organizing,  Sabrina's Admin Services, Organizing on a Dime, and Recipes to Chew On blogs by Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2011-2025. Sabrina's Organizing Blog content by Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli is licensed. Based on work at Sabrina’s Organizing blog, social media content, and newsletters shared, permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available when contacting me.

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}