Hey mamas! Let’s talk planned chaos. As moms, especially those of us running businesses on the side (because who needs sleep, right?), our lives are a beautiful mess of meltdowns, muddy cleats, and never-ending permission slips. For years, I was a firm believer in the “analog mom” approach. Whiteboards plastered everywhere, planners bursting at the seams, and a constant nagging feeling that I was forgetting something crucial.
Then came the fifth baseball bat in our lineup. Yes, you read that right. Five boys. The three oldest on various baseball teams, numbers 3 and 4 are playing soccer, and the youngest, well, bless his heart, he’s perfecting the art of tagging along until it’s his turn to take the field. It wasn’t too long ago that I wrote about my once-manageable system of colorful markers to manage school and activities for the boys, but then my to-do lists quickly devolved into a war zone of scribbles and forgotten appointments. And if I had any hope of Luis being able to follow along with the chaos and kart the boys around, I knew I needed to find something that worked for all of us, me included.
So, when Luis spotted the digital Skylight calendar (Amazon Link), I caved. Though I’m the money conscious one, I knew I had to invest in something that would make our lives easier and helped me ease the stressful to do lists to allow me sleep at night Let me tell you, mamas, it was a game-changer. Here’s why I ditched the whiteboard and embraced technology.
Family Command Central:
This calendar is the central nervous system of our household. Practices, dentist appointments, school plays, birthday parties – it’s ALL there. Color-coded by type of activity (because, frankly, sometimes our schedule look like they belong in a kaleidoscope), it gives everyone a clear picture of the week ahead. No more frantic whiteboard searches or misplaced permission slips. And because it’s so easy to read and hangs right on our kitchen walls, it’s not just Luis and I managing it all. The boys have taken to reading the board and getting excited for the activities that lie ahead.
Syncing Our Lives:
Gone are the days of reminding Luis about soccer practice three times before he heads to his office for work. This calendar integrates with our phones through the Skylight App, and syncs to our family email address’s calednar, so any update I make shows up on his phone too. It’s a lifesaver for those moments when you’re tied up in a work call but one of the boys has to get to baseball practice, stat!
The Beauty of Reminders:
Let’s face it, our brains are overflowing. This calendar sends out push notifications and even displays upcoming events on the digital skylight itself. No more scrambling to remember whose turn it is for carpool or missing that virtual business meeting because bath time turned into a full-blown opera.
Customization is Queen:
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. The calendar allows you to personalize it to your family’s needs. Birthdays? Got it. Recurring events? Check. Grocery shopping list (because who doesn’t need a constant reminder when they’re feeding an army)? You bet! It litearlly took the place of my monthly calendar white board, my weekly meal planning white board, AND the planner that sits on my desk. What a relief!
But is it worth it?
Look, mamas, I know. We’re budget-conscious and skeptical of the “next big thing.” But here’s the deal: This calendar has saved my sanity (and probably a few hundred bucks on therapy). It’s streamlined our lives, reduced stress, and given me back a precious commodity – time. Time to focus on my business, connect with my kids, and maybe even squeeze in a guilt-free bubble bath (because yes, we deserve those too!).
Is it a magic bullet? Of course not. My kids will still lose their cleats, and there will still be days when the house resembles a hurricane aftermath. But this calendar has given me a fighting chance to stay organized, keep everyone on the same page, and maybe, just maybe, prevent a meltdown (mine or theirs) over a forgotten permission slip.
So, mamas, if you’re drowning in a sea of sticky notes and to-do lists, consider taking the plunge into the digital sky. It might just be the tech upgrade your family needs to find a little peace (and maybe even a sliver of sanity) amidst the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
P.S. This isn’t a sponsored post (although, hey Skylight, if you’re reading this…), just a heartfelt confession from a mom who finally found a system that works! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a permission slip to find and a baseball game to get to!