Building Our Family’s Operating System (OS)
I want to share a little secret with you about how my family keeps everything running smoothly. With school, work, hobbies, and family events, it can feel like we’re trying to juggle a million things at once. But, guess what? We’ve found a way to keep our family activities and events as streamlined as we can, and I’m super excited to share this with you!
That’s where our Family Operating System (OS) comes into play. This post might bes a bit techy, but it’s really just a fancy way of saying we use some cool apps to help us stay connected and organized. Let’s dive in!
Requirements of our Family OS
Apple friendly
Must be available on any hardware (iPhone, iPad, Laptop)
Has to be dead simple. Just cause Dad is a geek doesn’t mean the rest of the family is.
The Center of It All: Google Calendar
The foundation of our Family OS is Google Calendar. It’s like the big, giant wall calendar, but on your phone or computer, and way cooler. We all share one calendar and invite each other to events we need to know about. This way, we always know who needs to be where and when. Whether it’s a soccer game, a school play, or a family birthday dinner, it’s all there in our shared calendar.
Keeping in Touch: iMessage
You know how sometimes it feels like kids are speaking a whole different language with their tech? Well, in our house, it’s all about Apple, and iMessage is our go-to for group messaging. It’s perfect for quick check-ins, sharing funny photos, or sending reminders about who needs to pick up milk on the way home. Sure, the kids might be all about Snapchat with their friends, but when it comes to family chat, iMessage keeps us connected.
Always in the Loop: Life360
Now, this one’s a game-changer: Life360. It’s an app we use for location sharing and tracking. I know it might sound a bit like spy stuff, but it’s actually super helpful, especially when the kids aren’t replying to texts, and we’re trying to find them at a crowded event. Plus, since we live about 20 minutes from, well, anything, it’s a relief to be able to see who’s on their way home and who’s still out and about.
Shopping Made Simple: Groceries App
Last but not least, let’s talk groceries. We use this nifty Groceries app that syncs with Apple Reminders. It lets any of us add items to our shopping list just by talking to Siri. So, if you’re in the middle of making pancakes and realize you’re out of syrup, just say, “Hey Siri, add syrup to the shopping list,” and boom, it’s on there. This way, whoever is at the store knows exactly what to get, and we avoid those frantic last-minute store runs.
Bonus - Here’s one that failed for us
The Skylight Calendar.
The Skylight calendar, I thought, would be a handy quick way for us to give each other tasks to do and/or see the calendar. This was obviously a Dad hope that didn’t come to fruition. We set it up, connected it to Google Calendar, and none of us used it. It sat on our kitchen counter for a couple months and I don’t think I saw the girls reference it once. That’s on me…the shiny object syndrome got the best of me there. Everyone just uses their phones and didn’t need ANOTHER piece of tech.
To Wrap-Up
I hope sharing our little system has given you some good ideas for keeping your own family life organized and a bit less chaotic. It’s all about finding what works for you and your family. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with using apps more, there’s something out there that can help make life a bit easier and keep your family team on track.
Remember, the most important part is that you’re finding ways to stay connected, support each other, and make those everyday tasks a little less stressful. So, why not give it a try? Start with one app, see how it goes, and build from there. Before you know it, you’ll have your own Family OS up and running!