Day Runner Family Matters Calendar System

December 3, 2007

Any time I am asked to try out any product that will help me to become better organized, I jumped at it. You should see the number of calendars, planners, containers, etc that I have. I have yet to find one that works for me and my family. You see, I can keep track of my appointments and activities online or with a PDA, but when it comes keeping the entire family of five all on the same page and everyone aware of upcoming events, therein lies the challenge. And let us not forget, I am one of the worst when it comes to organization. Yes, I actually do need someone to take me by the hand and show me the way.When Parent Bloggers asked me to test out the Family Matters product line by Day Runner, I knew that this might actually be the product that would benefit not only me, but my family. Day Runner has come out with a color-coded organizational line, that includes:

an undated erasable wall planner
a wire bound monthly/weekly appointment book
erasable door reminders
activity folders, and
storage cases

I tried out each of the products with my kids. They could choose the color that would forever be The Color Of Their Life and what they wanted to keep in their storage cases. Beyond that, Mom was off and running to get this family’s life under organization control!

The thing I liked best about using the Family Matters system, is that the information was all in one obvious, clear, easy to access place. I hung the erasable wall planner with all of our monthly plans in a central location that the entire family could glance at and see what was happening on a certain day. No more “I didn’t know that I had to be home because you had an appointment and I needed to babysit!” We could see everyone’s schedule on a daily/weekly basis. It was also great for me to be able to plan ahead. An entire week ahead? Yeah, that was a no-can-do before Day Runner gave me an in your face reminder each week!

A really big hit with my daughter was the erasable door reminders. These are terrific! We hung one on each of the kids’ doors as well as one on the refrigerator. (Suction cups, baby.) The dry erase boards have a spot to hold a pen, which really comes in handy when you remember something for the store, to remind the kids of activities, post chore “requests” and on many days just a note to tell my kids I am proud of them. I would be remiss if I did not at least admit I think they are cute as well as convenient. Fun and functional? Who knew?!

I am very much looking forward to jumping into the wire bound appointment book. I have looked through it and already filled out the appointments I know I will have coming up, addresses I will need–including a spot for web addresses!- and have this bad boy ready to come come January. The size was perfect for me for my desk. Anything smaller would get lost. Anything larger would be in my way. This is the perfect size (traditional wire bound notebook that the office stores sell). Get this (because remember, I assigned my children color codes for life?), it was color-coded to coordinate with the rest of the set! Now my kids really do have to have this color for at least a year. (But I am going with a life time.)

The storage cases and folders are color coordinated to go with the set as well. They were easy to use, functional and not ugly, so I had no problem using them in places that would be visible to visitors. (I have had more people comment on how “clever I am to color code the kids’ paperwork. I totally take credit for the ingeniousness of it!)

I have to admit, seeing as I am the most disorganized person to walk upright, I found the Family Matters line really useful for my family. Let’s face it, with a pre-teen, a teenager and a six year old, I need all the help I can get. This system has been wonderful. If you’re interested, check out the other reviews on Parent Bloggers to hear what everyone else thought.

Posted by Jenn @ 7:12 am

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