Mom Planner - My DIY Planner Adventure Pt. 1

As part of my New School Year Resolution to get organized, I decided I really need a planner of some sort to keep up with...well, everything.  But, I refuse to spend big money on a ready made planner that's not designed for my lifestyle, so I'm going to try to DIY one.  As I go, I'll share my process Step by step, show you what I learn along the way, and add links for free printable pages on the Mom Planner Page.

Step 1 - Choose a format.  
(Binder, Notebook, or Digital)
There are so many planner options out there these days. For me, a mini binder is the perfect choice, not too big, not too small so it's easy to carry.  I'm a visual and tactile learner.  Having pages to flip helps me keep info in my head.  I think that is why I have a hard time using a phone or computer as a planner.  I guess a bound notebook could also work, but I like the freedom to rearrange that a binder gives.   I can take pages out, put new ones in and instantly replace pages that are torn or messy.  My penmanship may be horrific, but messy pages play havoc with my OCD and leave me feeling irritated.  Irritation = emotional unbalance, so mini binder it is. 

Step 2 - Decide what to put inside.
One of my biggest organizational problems is keeping up with information, like dates and times of appointments, phone numbers (remember I don't use my cell phone so no one is on speed dial), and grocery lists.  

So for me, a planner needs to have sections for the following:

• Calendar - needs to cover the entire school year, have room to write appointments, and ideally be expandable.
• Contact Information - important phone numbers for doctors, dentists, the vet, emergency contacts and such.
• Children - one section for each kid to serve as a place to keep up with school/activity schedules and things specific to each child.
• Schools - one stop for school contact info and blank school notes to be filled out quickly on crazy mornings.
• Daily TTD
• Menu/Grocery Planning
• Ideas - for blog or anything else.
• Notes - filled with scrap paper to jot things down.

Step 3 - Gather materials:

Mini Binder

Mini or Adjustable Hole Punch

Dividers

Printer 

Paper

3-ring Pocket (sized to binder)

My New School Year Resolution - Get Organized

Jan. 1st usually has the market cornered on resolutions for most people, but not me.  Not this year.  No, this year, I'm getting a jump on the New Year's resolution by making a New School Year Resolution.  That resolution is to get and keep my "stuff" (with regards to kids, and house) together.

My big kids started middle school this year.  

It's a big deal.  

Up until now, they had the same teachers for the same subjects even if they weren't in the same classes.  I only had to deal with 5 teachers for them, plus one for my little guy.  But, this year, they have exactly one teacher in common.  With 5 classes, that should be 9 teachers right?  

Nope. 

Their school offers electives that last 9 weeks, 18 weeks, or the entire year.  Counting elective courses, my big kids have 16 teachers between the 2 of them.  That's a lot to keep up with. 

But wait, there's more!  Their schedule rotates from week to week.  For example: week 1 - classes go in order 1,2,3,4,5 week 2  -the order changes to 5,4,3,2,1 week 3 - it's 2,1,3,5,4 week 4 - they go 4,5,3,1,2.  The next week it starts over at 1.  Pretty odd isn't it.  

If I just wing this thing, I'll have lost my sanity by Thanksgiving, so a new system of organization is called for. 

I've already got a start on things and will be sharing loads of ideas and printables in the very near future so be sure to check back soon.  

Basking in the Glory of Uninterrupted Thought

Today is the first day of school.  Do I really need to say anymore?