(Metro News Service) The average twenty-first century family is quite busy, with each individual family member having their own responsibilities and social lives. According to the Aspen Institute's National State of Play 2024, nearly 40 percent of children in the United States between the ages of six and 17 regularly participated in a team sport, and the average child plays 1.6 sports. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2025 also indicates that around 50 percent of all married-couple families have dual incomes. For all families, including those with children, 67 percent of married-couple families with children are dual-income households.

Needless to say, with school, sports, work, and other responsibilities filling up families' days, staying organized becomes an important priority. Keeping schedules straight involves forethought. Efficient and effective time management that incorporates the following suggestions can help schedules feel a little more manageable.

Keep a family calendar

It is important to post schedules visibly so that everyone knows what is going on each day. The type of calendar used will vary depending on what families find most helpful. For some, it may be a traditional paper calendar hung in the kitchen or mudroom. Others may find that a shared digital calendar is most effective, particularly those who rely heavily on phones or other digital devices. No matter which type of calendar is used, color-code each family member so it is easy to identify immediately which dates are relevant to each family member.

Create routines

Consistent daily or weekly routines can help a family understand what is expected and when. Providing structure can reduce decision-making fatigue, according to Becoming Minimalist. Dinner can occur at the same time each day, and homework time may be scheduled so kids know when they are expected to hit the books.

Use reminders

Reminder apps on phones or other devices can be very handy for keeping everyone in check. Alarms and reminders will alert the person as to when they are expected to be somewhere. Letting children set their own reminders can set them up for success by being responsible individuals.

Get kids involved

Again, looping children into the process of establishing schedules and an organizational system helps teach them responsibility. Plus, if they are more invested in the process, they may be more apt to follow along. Families can hold weekly chats or meetings about upcoming events and discuss how to delegate or who might be able to attend what and when. Children can weigh in on what is important to them and what can be passed up, such as if school is offering a special bonus extracurricular that is not mandatory to attend. All Pro Dad, a program of the national nonprofit educational and charitable organization Family First, says it is alright to say "no" to extra commitments and prioritize what's important to the family.

Managing the family schedule more efficiently involves maintaining a dialogue with everyone involved, using tools at everyone's disposal, and prioritizing what is important to the family.