How to Make a Customizable Organizer Family Notebook

Organize family documents in a three-ring binder.

For a busy family, it is difficult to keep track of the multitude of appointments, events and important paperwork without a streamlined organizational system. Reduce stress and confusion by creating a family notebook to house everything from stray homework papers to utility bills.

Things You'll Need

• Three-ring binder with a spine depth of 1 inch or more
• Three-hole punch
• Three-hole dividers
• Three-hole vinyl sheet protectors

Instructions

1. Find a three-ring binder with a spine depth of at least an inch. Write the following headings on the tabs of divider pages to distinguish separate sections of your family notebook: Planning; Emergency Information; Family and School; and Home Management. Use more dividers for additional sections that are important to your family.

2. Gather calenders, schedules and important event lists. Print blank calendar pages for each month of the year, and punch them with the three-hole punch. Write down all important dates, including upcoming appointments with doctors and dentists, parent conferences and community events. If you have an especially large amount of events to keep track of, use colored pens to code them by category or relevant family member. Slip each page into a clear vinyl protector and file the pages under the the "Planning" heading.

3. List telephone numbers of emergency contacts and file them under the "Emergency Information" heading. Include information for relatives who should be called in case of emergency and the numbers and addresses of local hospitals as well as your own cell phone numbers. List allergies and medical conditions for every member of your family. This is a useful reference for a babysitter; label the information carefully so that another person can easily understand everything.

4. Assemble documents pertaining to your children's schools and classes. Lunch menus, class schedules and lists of holidays all belong under the "Family and School" heading. List birthdays of family members and include information on family events. A page for each member of the family allows you to make notes and write miscellaneous information you wish to document.

5. Use the "Home Management" section to keep track of utility bills, car payments and the contact information of services and individuals who provide regular maintenance on your house, including landscapers, handymen and cleaning services. Chore checklists for each member of the family, decorating ideas and party planning all belong in this section.

6. Add sections as you use the notebook, and recognize additional areas that are of interest to your family. For instance, if your children are involved in many activities, or if you travel often, include sections devoted to these topics.

Tips & Warnings

• Use paper clips to mark frequently used or important pages.

• Do not include any personal information you would not want a stranger to see. Keep Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and Internet passwords out of your family binder.

References

• Kristen's Guide; Making the Household Organizer; How to Put a Household Notebook / Organizer Together
• Kristen's Guide: Supplies You Need for a Household Notebook
• Organized Home: Household Notebook: Planner for an Organized Home