Life is busy enough and throw other humans into the mix, and it’s even busier. You think the baby stage is hectic? As the kids grow, you basically become their private PA.
Managing school schedules: From homework and mufti days to PTA events, school trips, and whatever else school throws our way – there’s always something to prep for. Honestly, there’s rarely a month that doesn’t come with some kind of update, form to complete, or deadline to meet. We’re about to start a new chapter with secondary school, and I’ve already got my Ocado Everyday Smart Pass activated, ready for any last-minute ingredients needed for cooking classes. Because of course, those recipes never involve anything we already have in the fridge or cupboards.
Social calendar: Juggling meet-ups with friends in and out of school, staying connected with family both near and far, and planning weekend days out – there’s always something on the go. There’s always plans to think about, coordinate, or book in advance.
Hobbies: Staying on top of hobbies means organising schedules, sorting the right gear, and keeping up with payments. We have 2 structured active hobbies and 1 more flexible active hobby. Then of course we have the usual craft activities they enjoy.
Birthdays: When you’ve got two to buy for at the same time (or close together), budgeting is essential – it gives you some breathing room and keeps the stress levels down. I’ve always made sure they each get to invite who they want from their group of friends, and we’ve had separate cakes made for each of them every year. We’ve always been big on experiences over presents. Yes, they get gifts but I don’t go bonkers. I usually go for one main present each (in the past it’s been things like an iPad or iPhone and at some point will be a laptop – I pay for these monthly) and then a few smaller, thoughtful extras. This year, we’ve got three key events planned for their birthday, and I’m feeling ahead of the game – everything’s sorted and paid for already.
Christmas: Just like birthdays, it’s all about budgeting and planning ahead – experiences over gifts. I’m running a little behind this year, but we’re keeping things fairly simple compared to previous years. I’ll be sharing a post soon with some of the magical things we’ve done in the past for a bit of inspo. We’ve done LaplandUK four times, eight years of pantos, festive trips to London, and even Harry Potter in the snow.
School holidays: Whether it’s budgeting for days out, booking staycations, or planning bigger trips abroad, I always try to get everything sorted well in advance. Having a rough plan in place helps avoid that last-minute panic and means we can actually enjoy the break instead of scrambling through it. We’re already sorted for 2026 with one main UK holiday and one overseas trip locked in. I just need to plan a few smaller activities for the half terms and maybe squeeze in one more mini-break if we can.
As you can see, there’s a lot to stay on top of; day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year. I try to plan at least 4 to 6 months ahead whenever I can. Am I perfect at it? Not at all. But having two holidays already booked for next year gives me so much peace of mind. I won’t be rushing around trying to sort last-minute school prep either as most of it’s already ticked off, and the final bits will be wrapped up by early August including their birthday.
Planning ahead helps me:
- Budget smarter: avoiding last-minute panics and overspending
- Stay calm: because stress has no place here
- Gain clarity: always having something to look forward to
Top Tips for Planning Ahead as a Parent
Use a shared family calendar
Whether it’s a wall planner or a synced Google Calendar, having everything in one place – school dates, birthdays, holidays, all of it – makes life so much easier. We’re big fans of Google Calendar because I can sync it across our phones and my work laptop.
Create a weekly or monthly “life admin” evening
Set aside one evening each week or month to review upcoming dates, book events, budget, and get organised. It keeps everything running smoothly and helps avoid last-minute chaos. For me, Sunday resets are the perfect time to do this.
Keep a seasonal checklist
Autumn term? Time to start thinking about Christmas. Spring? Start planning summer holidays. Having a loose checklist for each season helps you stay ahead – I love using the Notes app on my phone to keep track.
Batch-buy gifts and cards
Keep a stash of birthday cards and small gifts on hand – it’s a lifesaver for unexpected party invites. I’m a fan of Moonpig for family and friends, especially for the girls. The app is super easy to use, and deliveries are really quick.
Set reminders for everything
From school photo days to payment deadlines, let technology do the heavy lifting. I rely on Alexa and my phone reminders to keep track of surprises and important dates for the girls.
Leave space for spontaneity
Not every day needs to be scheduled. Planning ahead actually gives you the freedom to be flexible – without the guilt or the last-minute scramble.
Why I do it all?
Because I want my kids to feel safe, seen, and cared for; but I also want to feel sane. Planning ahead helps me create a calm, fun, and memorable life for them and for me. And honestly? The fewer “omg I forgot!” moments, the better.
