Yes, it’s possible—and no, I haven’t completely lost my mind (yet)
The Realities of Family Scheduling (AKA: Herding Cats with a Planner)
Let’s get one thing straight—managing a big family’s schedule isn’t just a task… it’s a full-contact sport. With work deadlines, school pickups, dog feeding, bottle prepping, gym time, dishes, walks, dinners, and at least three mini-emergencies before 10 a.m., planning isn’t optional—it’s survival.
Family scheduling, for me, isn’t about having a Pinterest-perfect life with color-coded calendars and chore charts laminated in gold foil. It’s about not losing my marbles when three kids need to be in three different places at the exact same time, and the baby just chucked his bottle behind the couch.
But here’s the thing: when you do get a weekly system in place—something flexible, honest, and human—it really can change the game. It’s not about perfection. It’s about creating structure that supports the real chaos of life, not fights it.
I’ve learned to create a rhythm that works for us, not against us. It’s a mix of time-blocking, routines, boundaries (with tech, time, and sometimes humans), and yes—a good old printable planner stuck to the fridge. It’s helped me find that sweet spot where work, parenting, marriage, and actual self-care can all coexist. Most days.
Let me walk you through how I do it—and trust me, if I can wrangle this level of beautiful chaos, you can too.
The Wild Joy (and Challenge) of Having a Big Family
Here’s the thing they don’t tell you when you’re dreaming about a big, happy family: it’s basically running a small, slightly disorganized company… where no one listens to the CEO and someone’s always crying (sometimes it’s me, sometimes the toddler).
In our house of six, the phrase “we’re busy” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Between school runs, dance classes, part-time jobs, therapy appointments, feeding the dogs, and making sure someone somewhere remembers to take the trash out—there’s not a lot of blank space on the calendar. And if there is? It probably means I forgot something important.
The biggest challenge? Everyone’s schedule is totally different. One kid needs help with math homework while another one’s trying to microwave chicken nuggets in foil. Someone’s got a lab from 9 to 2, someone else has to be somewhere by 5, and I’m over here trying to squeeze in sharing responsibilities with my wife and get the table prepped for dinner.
It’s not just about scheduling though—it’s the emotional labor, too. Each kid’s got different needs, moods, and levels of independence. And trying to give everyone the attention they deserve while still being a functioning adult with a job, a relationship, and the occasional moment of peace? Yeah, it’s a juggling act that would make Cirque du Soleil blush.
But here’s the honest part: as hard as it gets, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The trick isn’t trying to make the chaos disappear (spoiler: you can’t). The trick is learning how to anticipate it, organize it, and maybe even laugh through it. That’s where the right planning system comes in. Not to “fix” everything—but to give everyone in the family space to breathe, thrive, and not forget to brush their teeth (you’d be surprised).
My Weekly Routine: A Look Inside the Beautiful Chaos
Let me be upfront: no two weeks are exactly the same in our house. There’s always some new curveball—an extra school assignment, a rescheduled appointment, a sudden craving for waffles at 7 PM (from a child who swore they hated waffles yesterday). But having a flexible weekly structure? That’s the only reason I’m not buried under a mountain of laundry and missed deadlines.
My week kicks off early Monday morning—before the kids are up and the chaos begins. That early window is sacred. It’s when I check in with myself, set intentions, drink hot coffee while it’s still hot (luxury), and plan the week ahead. Sometimes I journal, sometimes I just sit in silence and pretend the world doesn’t exist yet. Either way, it grounds me.
Once the crew wakes up, it’s game time. I’m talking dishes, prepping bottles, feeding dogs (they’re louder than the kids), making breakfast, and moving like I’ve got rollerblades on. From 7 to 8:15 AM, it’s a hustle to get the boys ready and out the door. Tuesdays through Thursdays are our school-run mornings, so everything’s timed like a NASCAR pit stop. No missed steps allowed.
During the week, I block out work hours between 11 AM and 7 PM Thursday to Saturday (with a slightly lighter Sunday). I’m either tattooing, handling client requests, or knocking out design work. But I also make room for parenting duties—Zander’s naps, snack breaks, playtime, and anything that pops up because, well… life.
Family dinner is always at 5:30 PM on school nights. It’s our chance to hit pause and connect—no phones, no rush, just food and conversation (and sometimes a food fight, depending on how everyone’s day went). The bedtime wind-down starts around 7 for the boys and 8 for the girls on school nights. It’s a routine that gives them structure and gives me back a little breathing room at the end of the day.
Weekends are a little looser. We try to fit in some family time, chores that didn’t happen during the week, and the occasional outing that doesn’t require us to pack the entire house. Sometimes we just stay home and reset. Honestly, those slower days? Gold.
Having this rhythm—not rigid, but reliable—has helped keep our big family flowing instead of flailing. It’s not perfect. It’s not even always pretty. But it works for us. And that’s the whole point.
Time-Blocking: Because “Winging It” is Not a Strategy
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a parent of four while running a business, it’s this: if it’s not blocked on the calendar, it’s not happening. I used to rely on memory, sticky notes, and a hopeful attitude… and that’s exactly how I ended up double-booked, overwhelmed, and eating cereal for dinner at 9 PM.
Enter time-blocking—my not-so-secret weapon for making life run smoother without turning into a rigid, joyless robot.
🧩 Step One: Start With the Non-Negotiables
I begin by plugging in the stuff I can’t skip—work hours, school drop-offs and pickups, feeding tiny humans, feeding dogs (who think they’re starving at exactly 5 PM), and sleep. These are the bones of my week, and everything else has to fit around them. I use Google Calendar because it syncs across all my devices and color-coding things makes me feel like I have my life together.
🔄 Step Two: Batch the Brain Drainers
I batch similar tasks into the same block of time. For example, I do all the admin stuff—emails, appointments, bill reminders—during one focused block instead of letting it creep into every corner of my day. That way I’m not mentally shifting gears every 10 minutes like I’m trying to outrun my own to-do list.
Meal planning? One block. Grocery ordering? One block. Social media content creation? Yep, that gets a block too. No more “Oh crap, what’s for dinner?” at 4:57 PM.
⏳ Step Three: Build In Buffer Time (Trust Me)
This part is crucial when you have kids. Things take longer than you think. Someone will spill something, lose a shoe, or ask a life-altering question when you’re already late. Buffer time gives you breathing room—and keeps the whole day from unraveling when life inevitably happens.
🔧 Step Four: Get the Whole Family Involved
If the kids are old enough, let them be part of the process. My older ones know when they’ve got “quiet time,” “reading time,” or “help-with-dishes-so-dad-doesn’t-lose-it time.” Giving them some ownership over the routine actually makes them more likely to stick to it. It also reduces the number of “I didn’t know!” moments (still happens, but hey, progress).
Time-blocking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving your time a job before it gets snatched up by chaos. And in a house like mine, chaos is always lurking. But with a solid plan and a bit of flexibility, I can keep things moving without completely losing my mind—or missing my client call because I was scrubbing spaghetti sauce off the ceiling.
Essential Tools: Why My Printable Planner Is Basically My Second Brain
Look, I’ve tried it all—apps, alarms, whiteboards, dry-erase calendars, sticky notes, even talking to myself in the kitchen like a crazy person. But nothing keeps our big-family machine running smoother than a solid, no-frills, printable planner. It’s old school. It’s low-tech. And it works like magic.
This thing isn’t just a glorified to-do list. It’s my command center. My “what day is it again?” safety net. The visual life raft that lives on our fridge and keeps everyone (mostly) on the same page.
📆 What’s In My Planner?
I built my weekly planner with our actual, messy, real-life needs in mind. It’s got:
- A weekly overview (because seeing it all in one place saves my brain from imploding)
- Daily task lists with just enough room to be helpful, not overwhelming
- A meal planning section, because we can’t keep doing the “What’s for dinner?” dance at 5 PM
- A notes section for the random stuff like “return library books,” “email the dentist,” and “buy more toothpaste before we start squeezing from the bottom like animals”
Oh—and it’s cute. Because if I’m going to stare at this thing all week, it better not look like a tax form.
🖨️ Why Printable > Digital (At Least in This House)
Sure, I use Google Calendar for reminders and scheduling work stuff, but there’s something about physically writing things down that makes them feel more real—and easier to remember. Also, the kids can see it too. They walk past the fridge 50 times a day, so they might as well absorb the plan through osmosis.
Having it out in the open keeps everyone in the loop. “I didn’t know we had to leave by 8” suddenly becomes “Oh, yeah—it’s right there on the planner.” Accountability. Visibility. Sanity.
✨ Bonus: It’s Customizable for Your Chaos
You can add your own categories, color-code it (if that’s your thing), or print a fresh one every week and start over. It’s not rigid. It works with your rhythm—even when your rhythm sounds more like a drum solo on a sugar high.
Bottom line? My printable planner is like a quiet co-pilot, helping me steer the ship through school days, work deadlines, dinner plans, and toddler meltdowns. No app has come close. (But if one ever learns how to cook and fold laundry—game over.)
Your Weekly Printable Family Planner PDF! 🗂️
Meal Prep for the Win: Feeding a Big Family Without Losing It
Meal prep: the magical thing that makes it look like I have my life together… even when I definitely don’t. In a house where someone’s always hungry, someone else suddenly “doesn’t eat that anymore,” and we go through snacks like we own stock in Goldfish crackers, having a meal plan is non-negotiable.
No, I’m not out here cooking seven gourmet dinners on a Sunday while humming like Snow White. But I do carve out time every week to prep, plan, and get ahead—because winging it at dinnertime with four kids and a packed schedule is the fastest route to stress and frozen waffles (again).
🧠 Step 1: Plan Like a Pro (or at Least a Tired Parent with a Pen)
Every Sunday, I sit down with my planner (yep, the one on the fridge) and rough out what meals we’ll have for the week. I start with the obvious: what’s already in the fridge, what nights are busy, and what meals can stretch into leftovers (bless the casserole gods).
I plan for:
- Dinner every night
- Quick grab-and-go lunches (because chaos doesn’t pause at noon)
- Easy breakfasts that don’t require a full brain to cook
If I don’t do this? I end up panic-ordering pizza and explaining to the kids that “cheese sticks and apples” counts as dinner.
🛒 Step 2: Grocery List = Sanity Saver
Once the menu’s set, I make the grocery list. I use categories: produce, pantry, fridge, freezer, etc. This keeps me from zigzagging across the store like I’m in a reality show challenge and helps me avoid impulse buys like chocolate-covered everything (well, sometimes).
Pro tip: I’ll even pre-check what’s low BEFORE I shop so I’m not buying a 4th jar of peanut butter. Learned that one the hard way.
🍳 Step 3: Batch It, Baby
I don’t cook everything on Sunday, but I do knock out the big stuff:
- Cook and freeze protein (chicken thighs, ground turkey, etc.)
- Wash and chop fruits and veggies
- Boil a bunch of rice or quinoa
- Prep a couple of “emergency meals” for nights when everything goes off the rails
Basically, I give myself a head start. It’s not a full buffet—it’s a safety net.
🍽️ Step 4: Keep It Flexible, Keep It Real
Let’s be honest: not every meal I plan actually happens. Life is unpredictable. Someone gets sick, someone melts down, or I just don’t feel like cooking. And that’s okay.
I build in room to swap meals around or grab a backup from the freezer. Flexibility is the name of the game. The plan exists to serve you—not to chain you to the stove.
Meal prep doesn’t make the week perfect—but it does make it possible. It cuts down the “what’s for dinner?” chaos, saves money, and gives me one less thing to stress about during our already jam-packed days.
Managing Screen Time in the Digital Age (Without Going Full Tech Tyrant)
Let me just say it: managing screen time in a big family is like playing whack-a-mole with tablets and remote controls. One kid’s watching YouTube shorts at full volume, another’s asking for “just five more minutes” on Roblox, and suddenly the toddler’s FaceTiming your mom by accident. Again.
We live in a world where screens are everywhere, and honestly? I don’t hate them. They help me get work done, keep the kids occupied when I need 10 minutes of silence, and let’s be real—sometimes they’re the only reason I get to drink my coffee hot. But if I’m not careful, screen time can spiral into full-blown digital chaos.
🕰️ Step One: The Screen Time Schedule (Yes, We Have One)
We created a screen time schedule that makes sense for our family. It’s not draconian—but it has structure. No screens in the morning before school. Afternoons have a set window for shows or games after homework and responsibilities. Weekends? A little more flexible, but still not a free-for-all.
Putting boundaries around tech keeps everyone (including me) more aware of how much time we’re actually staring at a screen. And it cuts down on the whining because, well, the rules are the rules.
🚫 Step Two: Tech-Free Zones = Peace
Dinner? Tech-free. Family time? Tech-free. That random 30 minutes when everyone’s home and not melting down? Tech-free. We’ve claimed a few sacred, screen-free zones in our day—and shockingly, no one has combusted yet.
Designating spaces (like the dining table) or times (like before bed) to be screen-free helps us reconnect and remember we actually like each other. Sometimes. Mostly.
💬 Step Three: Talk About It (Before the Power Struggle Starts)
We’ve started talking with the kids about why screen time limits exist—like, in human terms. Not as a “Because I said so,” but more like “Too much screen time fries your brain and makes you cranky. And you yelling at Minecraft is a vibe none of us enjoy.”
They may roll their eyes, but they get it. And giving them even a little say in how we manage screens? That helps them take ownership. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than constant battles.
🧩 Step Four: Offer Real Alternatives (No, Chores Don’t Count)
If I want them off screens, I need to give them something else to do that’s not just “clean your room” or “stare at the wall and reflect.” Board games, crafts, backyard time, even just reading on the couch together—we rotate a few go-tos that don’t require a power outlet.
Bonus: If they’re not always plugged in, they actually sleep better and fight less. Coincidence? I think not.
The goal isn’t to go screen-free. (That’s cute but unrealistic in 2025.) The goal is balance—less tech-induced meltdowns, more actual connection. And maybe, just maybe, one less mystery Amazon order from the toddler.
Balancing Work and Family: The Not-So-Mythical Art of Not Losing Your Mind
Let’s just call it what it is—balancing work and family is hard as hell. Especially when you’re running a household, managing kids with wildly different needs, showing up for a partner, feeding actual living creatures, and working for yourself (because naturally, we chose the path with no HR department or built-in lunch breaks).
The good news? Balance is possible. The bad news? It rarely looks like a calm, color-coordinated Pinterest board. For me, it looks more like Google Calendar color-coding, noise-canceling headphones, and very clear boundaries.
📅 Block It or Forget It
If I don’t block off time for it, it doesn’t happen—period. My work hours are sacred, and so is dinner at 5:30 and bedtime at 7. If someone asks me to “squeeze in a quick meeting” during family dinner, it’s a no. If the kids want to chat mid-client call, I gently (okay, sometimes frantically) point to my “Do Not Interrupt Unless There’s Fire or Blood” sign.
Time-blocking has saved my sanity—and honestly, my business.
🗣️ Communicate Like a Boss (Even if the Boss Is a Toddler)
I’ve learned to be super clear with both my family and clients about my availability. My kids know when I’m “in work mode” and when they have my full attention. My clients know my hours and that I’m not answering DMs at 10 PM unless it’s an actual emergency (and spoiler: it never is).
Setting expectations upfront cuts down on stress and awkward apologies later.
🧠 Create Work Zones (That Are Not the Kitchen Table)
Trying to work in the middle of the living room while kids are reenacting a WWE match? Not ideal.
I carved out a little workspace that’s just mine—even if it’s tiny. When I sit there, my brain knows it’s go-time. When I step away, I’m back in parent mode. It’s a simple switch that makes a big difference, and it’s helped the kids understand when I’m working versus when I’m available for snacks/negotiations/hugs.
☕ Breaks = Survival
Yes, I schedule breaks. No, it’s not lazy. It’s necessary. I’ll take a 10-minute walk, do a quick stretch, or sit with the kids for a snack. These mini-resets make me more productive, less grumpy, and way more present in both work and family life.
It’s not perfect. Some days go off the rails by noon. But by drawing lines, building routines, and being brutally honest about what I can and can’t take on, I’ve found a rhythm that mostly works.
And that, my friend, is what balance actually looks like in real life—structured chaos with pockets of calm and coffee.
Embracing the Chaos (Because It’s Not Going Anywhere)
Here’s the truth: life with a big family is never going to be not chaotic. If you’re waiting for the perfect week where everything runs on schedule, no one cries, and dinner isn’t a last-minute improv session… you’ll be waiting a while. Probably forever.
But here’s what I’ve learned: chaos isn’t the enemy—lack of a plan is.
I used to think I just needed to “try harder” or “do more,” but really? What I needed was a system—a rhythm that made room for both structure and spontaneity. A plan that held space for real life. Because in this house, real life includes spilled cereal, forgotten library books, and at least one child yelling “I’m not tired!” at bedtime (while clearly being very, very tired).
Our transition from chaos to calendar didn’t happen overnight. It was trial, error, and more than one crumpled planner page. But once we found our groove—a flexible routine that worked for us, not some social media fantasy—we started thriving. The kids felt more secure. I felt less scattered. My work didn’t constantly bleed into family time. And the house? Still loud, but manageable-loud.
So no, we’re not aiming for perfection. We’re aiming for peace. For presence. For a system that keeps everyone fed, heard, and only mildly late to things.
And if that sounds like something your big, beautiful, busy family could use too? Then welcome to the club. It’s loud here—but it works.
AMAZON PRODUCTS THAT HELP MAKE THIS POSSIBLE
(or at least a little easier)
🖨️ 1. Epson EcoTank Wireless Color All-in-One Printer
Why it fits: Perfect for printing out weekly planners, meal prep sheets, school schedules, and all the other chaos-taming tools. Ink lasts forever, which—trust me—is a big deal when you’re printing for six.
🛒 Find it on Amazon (replace with your affiliate link)
📅 2. Magnetic Dry-Erase Weekly Family Calendar for Fridge
Why it fits: A visual scheduling powerhouse that lives on the fridge, right where every family member will (hopefully) look. Great for syncing everyone up.
🛒 Find it on Amazon
🍱 3. Bentgo Kids Leak-Proof Lunch Boxes
Why it fits: You’re already planning meals—this makes packing lunch faster, easier, and actually kind of fun. Plus, it supports your meal prep message.
🛒 Find it on Amazon
👨👩👧👦 4. Time Timer MOD – Visual Countdown Timer
Why it fits: Ideal for managing screen time, chore sessions, homework, and transitions. Helps kids see time passing, which is magical for reducing meltdowns.
🛒 Find it on Amazon
📖 5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey
Why it fits: This blog post is all about strategy and systems—why not recommend a bestselling book that supports your message with mindset and methods?
🛒 Find it on Amazon