For the past couple of years, we've kept a family calendar in the kitchen on a dry erase board. I color coded items according to activity and included some sketches, so it was also usable for Cal while still learning to read. Months ago SouleMama had a post about a bulletin board she'd made with pockets for family organization; I decided to try a variation of her idea. 
I bought this Liberty fabric for the pockets. The children made cards for the household tasks they are responsible for; the pockets are where the cards go. One for each boy, one pocket for extra chores that can be done for money, an extra for miscellaneous things, and one for pencils.
I bought a very large bulletin board in order to have room to include a shopping list everyone can add to, the weekly menu that gets decided upon at our family meeting, and a space to write agenda items for our next (weekly) meeting. I made an electronic calendar and printed it to add to this board. We decided to lean it against a wall rather than hang it so the kids can reach it, and so we can move it into the living room for our family meeting.
We all love this visual aid, in a central place, that helps our home life run smoothly.
23 comments:
it turned out really great! I'm glad to see it's working well - we need to try something similar. Love that Liberty fabric - very cute.
What a great idea! You are so organized. How do your structure your family meetings?
a little bit of organization can make life so much easier.
-M
Great board! We plan our meals for the week also, I love being organized it really makes life easier.
I will show you my family board!
Love yours!
pve
That turned out great! I use a similar system here...but it doesn't look as nice.
looks useful!
cool! really great.
on a side note, i would like to learn how to plan my meals in advance like on your board. i get to the grocery and become inspired by what is there. sigh. for now, i will just admire your organization from afar.
oh, i really like this! filing it away. i just started a new little "chart" system for the boys' responsibilities in the morning and evening, but there are some gems here. i think i am always tweaking these ideas.... is the backing just a large cork piece?
This looks like a great interactive family board. I love it!
Lecia, I must know where you purchased the fabric...
Thanks!
i love this kid of organization! and that you have a weekly family meeting, that is so important, yet not many people do it.
How come Abbott is the only one doing chores:)? I don't think I could organize our family life like that: most of the times it feels like our life is made of unexpecteded, non-plannable situations... I absolutely love you choice of colors, mint green & chocolate brown!
I just started a family binder/organizer with all sorts of things - activities divided by seasons, chores (limited for kids since oldest is two) and other goals and info. Maybe this will be next - thanks for sharing yours - it's lovely!
Thank you everyone!
PVE: I can't wait to see yours.
Francesca: Cal has cards too; Abbott's just happen to be the ones pictured.
Elissa: a corkboard in a frame bought at staples, I think - any office supply store should have one.
CER: I got it from purlsoho online. I checked to see if they still have it when I was doing the post - was going to add a hyperlink - and sadly they don't.
your came out beautifully!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
I admire your creative organization !!! and beautiful drawings too !!!
This is such a great idea. I love how you involved the kids in the projects. The Liberty fabric is adorable too!
Lecia, it's been a while and I'm so glad I picked today to check in on your blog. We've been bouncing around family organizing ideas at our house a lot recently! I'd love to learn more about your family meetings and what makes them work for you...maybe a future blog post!
Wow - I am studying this post! I'm getting great ideas for some organizing and motivation around here. Thank you!
It looks great. Love the meals. I must add that to mine.
That's an excellent idea! I think we'll have to add something like that to our home - with two in school and chores now a regular part of their lives.
We have a bulletin board, I go to it daily to check notes, schedules and the marks on the wall that indicate my kids heights....
always fun to look at what chores need to be done, and who needs to go where....or eat what?
pve
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