Let’s Make a Plan

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I’m a planner by nature. With both of my pregnancies, I found out if I was having a boy or girl the very first moment I could. How else was I supposed to decorate the nursery and know if I could use the same clothes with baby #2 as I did with baby #1. Spoiler alert – even with two girls I couldn’t really use a lot of the same clothes. Darn them being born in different seasons and growing at different rates!

I was also the person who would line-up an hour ahead of time outside of my college professor’s office to see my final grade. Yes folks – I am old and was in college before everything was online and you could know your grade almost instantly from anywhere.

Technology has clearly made its way into my life. I now own an iPhone, and have used Outlook and Google calendar. However, I feel a sense of calm when I have everything written down. You read that right…everything written down. As in pen to paper. Nothing will replace a good old fashioned paper planner tucked away in my bag and a calendar pinned up on the wall in my kitchen.

Last year when my older daughter made the jump from my office’s onsite daycare and kindergarten to first grade at our local public school, I was completely overwhelmed. How many holidays, early dismissals and institute days can there possible be? The answer is approximately a zillion. Oh, and throw in dance class, gymnastics, Brownies, play dates and a dozen other activities and I am basically toast.

Friends recommended apps and online tools to help keep everyone’s schedule straight. I gave them all a whirl, but kept coming back to my trusted old planner. I also ordered a large wall calendar that I posted in my kitchen and it has been my savior.

My classic Type A planning also spills over into research and cost comparisons. After researching tons of calendar systems, I found the Amy Knapp Big Grid Wall Calendar on Amazon. Every single appointment/activity/meeting is documented on that calendar. All anyone in my household has to do is glance at the calendar to know what the week or month ahead holds. Even better, the calendar is under $10. Did I mention it also comes with fun stickers to highlight certain dates?

I also can’t resist a sparkly planner that is smaller than an average notebook, but larger than a typical pocket calendar. I bought this one in gold, but would have gotten the turquoise if it had been available when I was shopping! It’s by Eccolo. I also saw a bunch of fun planners at TJ Maxx. I’m a sucker for a good deal and anything with an inspirational or motivational saying on it.

In the spirit of motivational quotes, I’ll leave you with one of my new favorites from the movie Wonder. “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”