by Kamryn Adams

Created on: November 24, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2009

These days, running a family is a full-time job. Kids have educational, athletic, and social activities that require moms and dads to be not only organized but well rested. The good news is that in the 21st century there are many technology tools to help you maintain the family schedule without sacrificing the memories you build for your children.

The first rule of organizing your busy family is to have a "protected day" on the calendar. Set aside one day of the week that the family does not schedule anything. Choose this night to ensure that the family has dinner together. This time is not just about breaking bread and communicating, but also for talking through the week's schedule so everyone is clear on where they need to be. You should also reinforce the "rules" of scheduling during this time. For example, you can set a 48 hour deadline for putting things on the calendar.

A fundamental tool for managing the family schedule is to have a universal family calendar that everyone can access. Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft all have online calendars that can synchronize with Outlook and Blackberry applications. Google is most popular and very user friendly. The calendar can be password protected and accessed via the web. It is also helpful to print out the 7-day calendar and post it prominently in the house each week.

Another helpful tool in organizing a busy family is to solicit the help of other busy families. Busy families are very common in a household with two working parents. Set up carpooling with families that have children in the same activities. While one family takes the boys to football practice the other family will take the girls to ballet. The following week, switch activities. The more "buddy" families you have the better organized the family calendar. Ideally, four families provide a lot of additional support that is beneficial for all.

Sometimes it's the smallest things that help keep our busy families organized. Always get the children involved with the process. Hold them accountable for keeping their events up to date on the calendar. What's the best way to organize a busy family? Say "no" sometimes.

Here are a few other helpful suggestions:

*Require at least 48 hours notice for placing an event on the calendar. This limits the last minute "Mom, can you take me and Julie to mall after school?" It also disciplines the children to begin planning their schedules and leading organized lives.

*Keep invitations, activity fliers, etc next to the printed calendar so that you can confirm time, address, and other logistical information for the event.

*Schedule the entire family for dental and physician check-ups and physicals on the same day.

*Alternate weeks in which parents take children to unscheduled appointments. This is the equivalent of being on call and keeps the parent mindful of scheduling during the week for last minute school projects and sudden doctor visits.

*During the week, cook dinner while kids do homework. Check and discuss homework over dinner even if everyone doesn't eat together. Use that time to assess the child's understanding of their school work.

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