9 tips for making your digital wall calendar work for you.
Ask anyone and they'll tell you that one of the top issues couples fight about is money. We'd argue to say that the underlying problem for this and most issues is communication or lack thereof. It's no different for families.
Everyone needs a calendar.
Kids need to be picked up for soccer practice at this time, the big meeting at the office begins at that time and so on. What if there was a better way to verbalize this kind of information and in a non-nagging way that kept everyone in your home on the same page? Here at Hearth, we're keen on just that; let's bring the bulletin board into the 21st century. Enter the digital wall calendar of your dreams.
Both children and adults alike benefit from a schedule. They especially benefit parents so kids aren't affected by their own anxieties. Family planners exist for a reason. They help! Or at least they try to. Keeping calendar events in a central place is the first step toward a more organized family life.
We've all tried paper planners, but those still leave some disconnected and out of the loop. White boards have their moment, but only when you're physically near them. Don't accidentally brush by either, as you will literally watch your plans wave goodbye.
And while a calendar app can be efficient in building a personal way to edit events, a mobile app doesn't create space for the entire family to participate in the same way a digital wall calendar does.
We all want our family unit to operate like a well-oiled machine, so here are 9 tips for making your family calendar work for you and not against you. Here's to reducing anxiety and increasing family harmony and fun!
Using it is key
The best calendar is the one you actually use. This means that if it is easy and accessible, you're more likely to utilize it. Hearth Display is a digital wall calendar with a touch screen, so not only is it super user friendly, but your kids will likely want to use it. We make organizing fun! Click here to learn more about it and see how the display works.
Partner with your Google calendar
Work in tandem with the Google calendar you already use for work and personal event creation. By syncing these calendars to your digital wall calendar, you'll benefit from the organization of Google workspace alongside your family's upcoming events. When your Google calendar automatically aligns with your Hearth, you'll have visibility on every facet of your life, all in one place.
Integrate multiple calendars
Part of what make family calendar events effective is getting everyone involved. Creating events for every adult in your home—including caregivers, grandparents, or involved aunts and uncles, makes for a feeling of unification. Unlike Google calendar, you can create a profile for each kid and caregiver without a Google account or a gmail.
Prioritize visibility
Make your calendar visible to all who it affects. Share it for all to see! Bulletin or white boards can be a bit of an eyesore. Hearth makes keeping your family organized as chic as possible, so don't let decor stop you from accomplishing your family's goals. It's not just a pretty face though. Our digital planner is accessible and easy to read, plus you never have to erase it and start over. Reviewing it daily is good, but maybe make a habit out of going through the week each Sunday afternoon or evening, so the entire family unit can be ready to roll come Monday morning. Creating habits like this will not only benefit you, but your kids for years to come.
Ensure you can view calendars on the go
Access your online calendar, even when you're on the go. We get it. You're busy and not necessarily at home. That's why we have the Hearth app that seamlessly connects your family planner (and more!) to your phone, as well as to your entire household. While we can't promise you'll never lose track of your day again, you'll at least know how to get it back on track and finish out your week strong.
Include details in event creation
One of the perks of a Google calendar integration is the ability to link Google maps in an event location. That way, you'll be able to calculate the commute to upcoming events by simply clicking event titles. Smart suggestions, like leaving a little early due to traffic or remembering a prescription for a doctor's appointment, can make or break a seamless day.
Embrace different calendar applications
Tracking regular events is great, but using a Hearth as your family wall calendar offers more toggling between multiple calendars. Try Hearth Helper for updating your calendar events, even without internet connection. Stay informed on other family members' calendars with a day view. Features include to-do lists, routine building programs, and a companion app perfect for your iPhone.
Track everyday life
Use your family wall calendar to track weather, personal activities, and even schedule dates for upcoming vacations. Using your device to remind users of the kind of events that normally fall through the cracks in a traditional calendar will help organize the everyday, relevant details that make up family life.
A cheery display is a nice touch
Being able to create a source of inspiration through your calendar is an often-forgotten benefit of a digital wall calendar. Hearth's sleek photo frame feels way more elevated than a google calendar displayed on an iPad or seen simply on a mobile app. Your digital family wall calendar becomes the meeting room where everyone can check in, view upcoming events, check off their to-do list, and look to see how they can support other family members.
Bonus!
Your kids will see you making plans and completing tasks, which will teach them early on the importance of planning and follow through. Try having your children put things in the calendar to get them involved.
Take a classmate's birthday for example. Have your child enter the birthday party into the digital planner, along with reminders for the RSVP deadline and a note to buy them a gift. Let them count down the days themselves via the digital wall calendar. This will empower them and educate them for the future!
It's high time the family calendar has evolved. We're excited to bring the future of tracking calendar events to you.
