Top 3 Planners For Busy Moms is a post by contributing writer Amy from Rock Your Homeschool
Moms are busy creatures, by choice or by necessity. With to-do lists filled with errands, appointments, and household chores (not to mention kids’ activities and church events), moms can easily become overwhelmed. Although the best advice is to simplify your schedule, busy moms know that is not always possible. (Here are a few ways to make a little white space in your busy days.)
As a busy mom myself, I know how important it is to have resources to help me organize my family and my time. My schedule quickly becomes filled to the brim with homeschooling, two blogs, and five boys active in sports and church. I am often asked how do I get it all done without losing my sanity.
One simple word is all I have to share with these curious moms who want a method to accomplish their personal tasks and responsibilities: planners.
You may think that answer is much too easy. Let me explain.
When you find the perfect type of planner (or planners if you are like me and own seven – more on that in a bit) that works for you, your life can change for the better. There are a variety of planners to choose from: paper or digital, spiral or disc bound, vertical or horizontal layouts. The key is to discover the planner that you will love and actually use!
Busy moms often do not even have the time to search for resources to help simplify and organize their life. I chatted with my friends over at Planner Squad (a site that I co-own) and they helped me pick these Top Three Planners For Busy Moms.
Before I share our Top 3 picks, I want to clear the air on a pretty hot topic that has been circulating. When I speak of “planning” or “planners,” some moms immediately respond with, “I don’t have time for all that pretty planning” or “I don’t have the money for planning.” It seems like there is a stigma against planning. It’s almost like people think it is is only for young girls with plenty of time on their hands. Au contraire!
I am here to tell you that not only do you have time and money for planning, but you NEED planning in your life. I am not a bossy type but I strongly believe that all moms can benefit from the joys of planning.
Planning does not have to be fancy or decorative. Many planner girls do functional planning in bullet journals or simple planners.
Planning does not have to cost a lot of money. For the cost of printing, you can create your own planner with free planning printables.
Planning does not have to take a lot of time. All you need is few minutes to jot down important appointments and commitments.
Here is a list of what planning is or can be:
Planning can be a creative outlet. With a few colored pencils or markers, you can rediscover your artistic self. Stickers and washi tape can add creative fun if you are not an artist (like me).
Planning can be “me time.” My family knows that Saturday night is mommy’s time to “play in her planners.” I clear off my big desk and use that time to plan for the days, weeks, and months ahead. I have found this activity to be very relaxing because it gives me the opportunity to clear my head and optimize use of my time.
Planning can be simple. You do not have to have a glam planner. I do not have a glam planner. I add stickers and washi tape because they make me smile, and I am much more likely to open and use my planner when it is pretty.
Planning can be customizable. Your planner is yours. Make it the way you want. No planner comparisons or guilt. Create your planner to please you and make it work for you!
Everyone is a planner girl! It does not matter if you plan on paper or digitally. Embrace your inner planner girl and the planning style that you have found is best for you.
Whew! I’m glad to have that off my shoulders. Now that you get my point that planning is for all, let’s chat about planners for busy moms.
Some links to planners and supplies are affiliate links.
Top 3 Planners For Busy Moms
Left: Big Happy Planner with DIY custom cover. Right: Standard size Happy Planner.
1. Happy Planner
Have you discovered the world of MAMBI (me & my BIG ideas)? With disc bound planners in a variety of sizes and styles, these planners are super popular right now. You can find them at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Blitsy, and online. Make sure to look for coupons, which are sometimes as much as 50% off! Such gorgeous colors and themes!
Many moms like to use standard size Happy Planners for home organization, recipes, and fitness. Big Happy Planners are great for homeschool planning and large families. The new Mini-Happy Planners are awesome for when you are on-the-go.
Happy Planners come in both dated and undated styles. I recommend dated versions for busy moms who need to pick up their planner and get right to it. If you have a bit more time, or just want more flexibility, go for undated.
Most Happy Planners leave plenty of room for adding special touches like washi tape and stickers. A bonus feature for Happy Planners is the ability to gently pull out and re-position pages, as well as add fun features like dashboards (inspirational sheets or folders) and to-do lists.
2. Recollections Spiral Planner
This planner is my new favorite! Available only at Michaels (Shop Scrapbooking and Papercrafting Supplies at Michaels), these planners are affordable (remember that coupon!) and sturdy. They currently come in two sizes: standard (7.5″ x 9.25″) and big (9″ x 11.5″).
You may have heard of another popular spiral bound planner by Erin Condren. While I have always admired it from afar, the price was too steep. The Recollections Spiral Planner has given me the chance to try (and love) a spiral bound planning system.
There are beautiful covers, colors, and themes which include:
creative planning with weekly and monthly layouts
goal planning with amazing additional sheets for more strategic approach for reaching your goals
fitness
pregnancy
wedding
A con for this planner is that the Pages are not able to be repositioned. Also, the only way to add pages or extras to your spiral planner is with a coil clip.
Photo Credit: Christina Marie Muller This myAgenda is one of the planners available at momAgenda.
3. momAgenda
I have heard wonderful things about this planner for moms! So many styles and formats to choose from! It is practical in layout and includes areas for holiday, medical information (kids and adults), and phone numbers. There is even a helpful page that show you how to effectively use this planner, which is great for planner newbies.
The momAgenda is available in bound and spiral formats. You have a choice of covers (even leopard print or shimmering) and option to personalize. It does not have a lot of room to decorate (if that is something that you are looking for).
My planners! From top: Recollections Personal Size Planner, Leuchtterm1927 Silver Bullet Journal, Platinum A5 Carpe Diem, Recollections Goal Spiral Planner, Recollections Large Spiral Planner, Standard Happy Planner, Big Happy Planner (Missing: personal A2 Color Crush)
Planners have become an important part of my life. I currently use five planners, each with their own purpose (Big Happy Planner for homeschooling, standard size Recollections Spiral goal planner for blogs, A5 Carpe Diem for live streaming broadcasts, personal Color Crush for on-the-go/family, and Leuchtturm 1917 for bullet journaling my homeschool professional development.)
Sounds like a lot? Yeah, I know. However, it works for me to have different places to jot down my thoughts and tasks for specific areas of my life.
I would love to answer any of your questions about planners for busy moms. If you are looking for a place to chat about planners, join us at Planner Squad Facebook Group.
Which of these three planners for busy moms do you think would work best for you? Or what kind of planner do you currently use?
Other Posts You May Love:
10 Must Read Monthly Menu Planning Tips
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Scheduling
Our DIY Homeschool Planner for Eclectic Homeschooling
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Using them does not change the price you pay. However, when you shop through them, this writer or the site may receive a small compensation. Thank you!
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