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Sol Planners: A Game-Changer for Organizing My Family Life, Business, and Everything in Between!
If you’re anything like me, balancing work, household chores, social engagements, and kids’ activities can feel like you’re juggling a thousand things at once. Some days, I wake up and think, “How am I going to manage everything today?” My beautiful friend, Sarah, had similar feelings and in the chaos the Sol Planner was born! She designed a versatile tool that has transformed how I organize my family’s chaotic schedule into a more manageable routine. In this post, I’ll share how I use it to streamline our days, keep everyone on track, manage my businesses, and, most importantly, reduce the stress of trying to remember it all. On top of that, how insanely BEAUTIFUL are they?! I mean, wow! The thoughtfulness that went into every detail is incredible!
What is a Sol Planner?
Sol Planners are highly customizable, all-in-one life planners designed to help busy people—whether you’re a professional, a parent, or someone trying to organize life’s chaos. With built-in sections for everything from daily to-do lists to meal planning, goal setting, and even habit tracking, Sol Planners offer a holistic approach to organizing every facet of life. The brain dump page is honestly one of my favorite pages, as sometimes my brain feels like spaghetti and if I don’t write everything down I fear something might get sucked up like Lady and the Tramp unpretentiously swapping noodles behind a dumpster in the moonlight! It’s a’more!
For families, especially, it’s like having a command center that keeps track of everyone’s needs. Whether it’s coordinating school pickups, doctor appointments, sports practices, or family dinners, a Sol Planner has space for it all.
Why I Chose Sol Planners
There are many planners out there, but what drew me to the Sol Planner was its flexibility and family-friendly design. Most planners focus on individual productivity, but Sol Planners cater to the unique needs of families. They offer spaces for multiple schedules, which is key when you have more than one person’s calendar to manage. Managing 7 people’s schedules should win us awards, right Sarah? Well maybe not, but we should be getting paid! Do you think we could start a Mom’s Union?
Anyways, here are some of the planner’s key features that have worked wonders for me:
- Weekly Overview: This is where I plan out the week for the whole family. I can see everyone’s commitments at a glance, from my meetings to my kids’ playdates and extracurricular activities.
- Daily To-Do Lists: Each day has dedicated space for priority tasks. I use this to manage both personal and family-related tasks, so I can clearly divide time between work, school duties, and home needs.
- Meal Planner: A section for meals and groceries helps me plan out weekly dinners, reducing the last-minute stress of “What’s for dinner?” It’s also a great way to ensure healthier eating habits for everyone.
- Goal Setting and Habit Tracking: This part is especially helpful for encouraging the kids to work on new habits—whether it’s reading more or keeping their rooms clean. Plus, I get to track my own goals, from fitness to learning a new skill.
- Notes and Reflections: I love that there’s space to reflect on the week. It’s become a family tradition to review what went well and what could improve next week.
How Sol Planners Help Organize My Family
1. Keeping Everyone on the Same Page
With the Sol Planner, my family knows what’s happening and when. I hang our weekly overview in the kitchen, so everyone has access to it. No more surprise appointments or missed activities. The kids love looking ahead at their activities, and my partner and I can better coordinate our schedules.
2. Meal Planning Made Easy
The Sol Planner’s meal planning feature saves me countless hours of last-minute grocery store runs. On Sundays, I sit down with the family, plan meals for the week, and jot down the necessary ingredients. We all get a say in what we eat, and I love how this small act turns into family bonding time.
3. Empowering the Kids
Giving the kids ownership of their schedules has been a huge plus. We use the habit tracker to help them set goals like “Finish homework by 5 PM” or “Read for 30 minutes a day.” They get excited about checking things off and staying on top of their responsibilities. It’s a great way to teach time management at a young age.
4. Stress-Free Mornings
Mornings used to be pure chaos—scrambling to get everyone ready, lunches packed, and school bags prepared. Now, I prepare the night before using the planner’s daily task list. I jot down what needs to be done in the morning, what the kids need for school, and even plan out what everyone’s wearing if it’s a game or practice day…which is pretty much every day in my house! This has made mornings smoother and way less stressful.
5. Time for Self-Care
In the hustle and bustle of managing a family, self-care can easily slip through the cracks. The Sol Planner helps me carve out dedicated time for myself. I can see where there’s a free 30 minutes for some quiet time with the Lord or a quick walk. This simple practice has boosted my energy and mental well-being, making me a better parent and wife.
Tips for Using Sol Planners Effectively
If you’re new to family planners or are thinking about giving the Sol Planner a try, here are a few tips that have helped me:
- Make It a Family Affair: Involve everyone in the planning process. This way, the kids feel a sense of responsibility, and your partner is in the loop.
- Review Weekly: At the end of each week, review what worked and what didn’t. Adjust your upcoming week accordingly.
- Use Colors: Assign different colors for each family member. It’s an easy way to differentiate schedules visually.
- Be Consistent: Consistency is key. Use the planner every day, even on weekends, to build a reliable routine.
Sol Planners have been a game-changer for organizing my family’s life. With its thoughtful design and family-focused features, it has made planning not just easier, but also more enjoyable. If you’re looking to streamline your family’s schedule, reduce stress, and even build better habits with your kids, I highly recommend giving the Sol Planner a try.
With a little planning and the right tools, you can turn family chaos into a well-oiled machine!
The beautiful family who brought this amazing product to life! Meet Sarah, her husband Chris, and their 5 adorable children.