In today’s busy world, keeping track of everyone’s schedules can be a challenge, especially for families. Fortunately, Google Calendar offers a flexible way to keep everyone on the same page. In this post, we’ll walk you through creating and organizing multiple Google Calendars for your family, ensuring that you never miss an important event again.
Why Use Multiple Calendars?
Using multiple calendars can help you categorize different aspects of your family life. You might consider separate calendars for:
- Family Events: Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
- School Activities: Parent-teacher meetings, school events, and extracurricular activities.
- Sports and Hobbies: Practices, games, and recreational activities.
- Personal Appointments: Doctor visits, haircuts, and personal commitments.
By organizing events into distinct calendars, you can easily manage your family’s schedule while minimizing confusion.
Step 1: Setting Up Google Calendar
- Access Google Calendar: Go to Google Calendar and log in with your Google account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free.
- Download the App: For on-the-go access, consider downloading the Google Calendar app on your smartphone or tablet.
Step 2: Create New Calendars
- Open Settings: Click on the gear icon in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
- Add Calendar: In the left sidebar, find the option that says “Add Calendar.” Click on it and then select “Create New Calendar.”
- Name Your Calendar: Give your new calendar a name that reflects its purpose (e.g., “Family Events,” “Kids’ Activities”). We created a Family Calendar and one for each kid.
- Customize Settings: You can add a description and set the time zone. Make sure to click “Create Calendar” to save your changes.
- Repeat: Repeat the process for each calendar you want to create.
Step 3: Share Calendars with Family Members
- Select Calendar to Share: Go back to the “Settings” menu and find the calendar you want to share in the left sidebar.
- Share with Specific People: Click on “Share with specific people.” Here, you can add the email addresses of family members. We share the kids calendars with the nanny or anyone else who helps us cart kids between activities so everyone can stay on the same page.
- Set Permissions: Decide what each family member can do—whether they can only view the calendar or also add/edit events.
- Send Invitations: After adding family members and setting their permissions, Google will send them an email invitation to accept the shared calendar.
Step 4: Color Code Your Calendars
To keep everything organized at a glance, assign different colors to each calendar. This makes it easy to distinguish between family events, school activities, and personal appointments.
- Choose Colors: In the left sidebar, click on the three dots next to each calendar name and select “Choose a color.” Here is a look at our very colorful family calendar:
Step 5: Adding Events
- Add Events: To add an event, click on a date and select “Create.” Choose the appropriate calendar from the dropdown menu to ensure the event is saved in the right place.
- Set Reminders: Use reminders to help everyone stay on track. You can set notifications via email or pop-up alerts.
- Recurring Events: For regular activities (like soccer practice), use the “Does not repeat” dropdown to set it to repeat weekly, monthly, etc.
Step 6: Use the Calendar Together
Encourage your family to regularly check the calendar. Consider having a weekly family meeting to review upcoming events and update schedules. This fosters communication and helps everyone stay engaged with the family’s activities.
Conclusion
Creating and organizing multiple Google Calendars for your family can transform your chaotic schedule into a well-oiled machine. With a bit of setup and cooperation, you can ensure that everyone is informed and on the same page. So gather your family, set up those calendars, and watch as the stress of scheduling fades away! Happy scheduling!
