Forgetful Momma

Secular Homeschooling in Canada

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Setting Up A New Planner for A Year

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I love, love getting a new planner for the new year. It’s exciting and fresh, full of potential. I know I’m not the only one because lots of people go out and buy new planners and half don’t get used in the end. It’s all about finding the perfect planner for you. I LOVE my Happy Planner. Now I get to setting up my new planner adding all the important information that I do not want to forget.

Setting Up A New Planner for A Year

Setting Up A New Planner for A Year

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Birthdays and Holidays

The first thing I do fill out the birthdays, if I forget a birthday – even a distance one – watch out. I go by those that I wrote in my previous planner so I don’t forget anyone.

My Happy Planners don’t come with holidays, or days/months filled in so I add in all the holidays in, which being Canadian is awesome because then I only have Canadian holidays in my planner and then I don’t get confused.

Health Appointments

  • Dentist appointments.
  • Optometrist appointments.
  • Vet appointments.

Maintenance Appointments

  • House insurance renewal – times two for us – the house we live in, our rental house.
  • Water system maintenance – once a year.


Home and Life

  • Vacations.
  • Update life insurance policy and retirement plans.
  • Emergency contacts.
  • Holiday cards – both taking the pictures, and when to send them.
  • When to clean filters.
  • When to switch out winter/summer clothes.
  • Time change & change smoke detector batteries.

Weekly Reminders

  • Family budget.
  • Meal planning.
  • Cleaning schedule.
  • Laundry.
  • Garbage and recycling pick up.
  • Pay bills
  • Water plants.
  • Events.
  • Children’s programs.

Daily Reminders

(I fill these in at the beginning of each week.)

  • Any medications that need to be taken.
  • Exercises.

I’m sure I’m missing something important, oh, like the first day of school? The last day of school! Don’t forget those important date.

Homeschool Reminders

  • First day of school.
  • Last day of school.
  • When school board paper work is due.

Similar posts that you may be interested in:

Homeschool Planet - Online Homeschool Planner

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Getting Organized with A Happy Planner

Getting Organized with A Happy Planner

How to Rock it as A Homeschool Mom

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Are you rocking it as a homeschool mom or just trying to get through each day? I admit, I tend to be more in the struggling to get through each day camp. But I’ve been working hard to change that, and it seems so simple once I get into a routine to be honest, and I struggle with keeping a routine at times, but it does make a big difference.

How to Rock it as a Homeschool Mom

How to Rock it as A Homeschool Mom

*This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*

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Take Care of Yourself

Start by taking care of yourself first. You can’t pour from an empty cup, we’ve all hear that before, and it’s true. Exercising and eating right, everyday, or as much as possible. I’m up before kids Monday – Friday to exercise, and drink at least a cup of coffee before they get up. It’s my time just for me.

Try to find some time just for you. I know it’s hard, especially with young kids, I have been there, eventually finding time for yourself will get easier.

Be An Organized Homeschool Mom

Don’t run around looking for everything each morning. I like to set aside one morning or evening a month to get everything figured out, be that just writing plans into my Happy Planner or making photocopies, or what have you. Having everything figured out before makes a huge difference.

Have you tried meal planning? Really tried it? I have. Meal planning makes everything in my day easier. I only meal plan for supper, because breakfast and lunch are free for all. Not having to worry about finding something to make an hour (if I’m lucky) before hand, or wishing I had remember to toss something into the slow cooker saves me some stress each day.

Have Fun

Please enjoy homeschooling your children. I know that it can be trying but take a deep breathe, and have some fun. Turn up the music and dance the grumpiness out. Play some board games instead of doing math this afternoon. When frustration hits, take a time out or recess break if you will. Over the Christmas break one of my girls’ friends ask us if they get recess, answer: not really.

Take a day, and instead of formal school lessons, have an educational day. One great thing about homeschooling is that you can relax a little, do education a little different.

Similar posts that you may be interested in:

How We Do Read Aloud in Your Homeschool

How We Do Read Aloud in Our Homeschool

Using Post It Notes in Your Homeschool

Using Post It Notes in your Homeschool

Getting into A Homeschool Morning Routine

Getting into a Homeschool Morning Routine