Do you have a big family, lots of commitments, and no working schedule? Here’s how we made a schedule that worked for our family and how you can, too!
Sometimes I look back on the days when my kids were babies. Oh sure, there were innumerable diaper changes, lack of sleep, and toys constantly underfoot. But there was also long days with few time commitments and no schedule needed. I spent many an afternoon watching my little ones toddle around while I considered our next meal.
Now that they’ve gotten older, they have more demands on their time. And more demands on their time means more demands on mine. As the resident taxi service, I need to be able to manage the lives of 5 little people and just 2 driving adults to make sure these active kiddos get where they need to go.
A schedule is the key to our success. But it wasn’t always easy to make one. Between managing the home, therapy appointments, and sports, not to mention a dad who works in the evenings, finding a way to fit everything in without losing my sanity (or gaining a speeding ticket) took some effort.
But we figured it out eventually. And I’ll show you how to create your own schedule to help manage your busy family. With the right steps, you can get all the things done while still managing family time and me time. Here’s how…
How to Create a Schedule that Works for Your Large Family
Create a master list of everyone’s commitments
You need a starting point. Find out what commitments each member of your family has and make a master list. This list should include non-negotiables (like church, sports, therapy appointments, and meetings that are immovable) and negotiables (like homeschool, meals, and date nights). We separate the things that cannot be moved from the things we can shift when necessary so you have maximum flexibility.
Time block the family activities
Now, it’s time to get a visual. I like to use this time block sheet that I color code with everyone’s activities. Once I have a visual of all the things my family needs to do, I can start creating a schedule around it. This time block sheet will only include the non-negotiables at first because we will need to assess things before setting times for the more flexible items on our list.
Add drive time to your schedule
Do not forget drive time. I have made this mistake more than once and inadvertently double booked myself. Schedule in the amount of time it will take to drive to and from your activity. And pay attention to the time of day. What might take 20 minutes on a Sunday afternoon suddenly becomes 45 minutes on a Friday at 5pm.
Add in the negotiable things
Figure out when dinner would work best for everyone. When do you have the best block of time for schooling, if you homeschool? Is date night better on Saturday or Friday? If you have a weekly phone call with your mom, put it in there. These things are important to you, so add them to the schedule with the importance they deserve.
Arrange errands around set scheduled events
Now, it’s time to fill in the everyday life things that can derail a schedule. Or make you lose your mind. When does grocery shopping happen? How about returning books to the library? When is a good time for laundry or other chores? When I made my schedule, I added laundry every other morning, first thing. This way I can wash, dry, and fold before I leave the house. Grocery orders are placed on Wednesday while the girls are at taekwondo and picked up on the way home from occupational therapy the next day. Making space for home management means you don’t have to wonder when you’ll take care of the important life stuff.
Combine activities to save driving
The key to success when you’re busy is combining tasks. If I’m taking my son to baseball practice up north, then I’m doing my bulk shopping at the WinCo that’s located 5 minutes from the field. If one child has baseball at about the same time as another has gymnastics nearby, then we all head out together and I combine the trip. This saves gas, frees up the other parent (if they’re not working) to handle things at home, and teaches kids to be patient and respectful of each other and their interests while they wait for a sibling to finish.
Think about what everyone else is doing
As the mom/taxi driver in the house, I am gone more than any of the other members of the family outside my husband who works outside the home. But just because I’m not home doesn’t mean my teenage daughter isn’t. If she’s home, she can lead the younger kids in finishing their workbooks for the day. If my older son is, then he can make dinner, so it’s ready to eat when I get home with one of the other kids. Reading time can happen in the car while I’m ferrying the kids to church. Keep everyone else in mind and what they can help with when you make your schedule and want to fit it all in.
Be ready to make changes
Now that you’ve got this brand-new, very organized schedule, I want you to get ready to make changes. Say what?! I know, but the fact is that things will change, get canceled, or somehow multiply. Your kid’s coach will change the practice schedule, the therapist your child goes to will change their hours, or maybe your spouse’s morning shift will flip-flop to nights. Be ready for things to do awry and be flexible. Give yourself lots of grace as you rework the schedule to make it work with your new normal. You can do it!
So that is how I created a schedule that worked for our 7-person family. I hope these steps help you nail down a routine of your own that will make everything you want for your family work out just right. It’s all in the planning and the prayers. Good luck!
What are some important steps you take when making a schedule? How do you make sure you can do all the things? Let me know in the comments or share on social media!
Looking for more on home management and productivity? Check out these posts:
The Top 10 Productivity Apps that Every Homemaker Needs
10 Atomic Habits that have Changed My Life
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