How the Skylight Calendar Saved My Sanity: A Mom and Teacher’s New Best Friend

As a teacher and mom of two, my life is a delicate balancing act of lesson plans, sticky fingers, and perpetual chaos. Throw in my husband’s rotating work schedule, toddler tantrums, staff meetings, and a mountain of chores, and you’ve got a recipe for a brain that’s on the verge of Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

Enter the Skylight Calendar, a digital lifesaver that has completely transformed how our family stays organized—and even turned my toddler into a chore-loving little helper. Sound too good to be true? Let me break it down, mom-to-mom (or teacher-to-teacher), and show you how this gadget has helped me regain control of my time and my sanity.

What Is the Skylight Calendar? 

The Skylight Calendar is a sleek, Wi-Fi-enabled digital display that syncs with all your favorite calendar apps (Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar). Think of it as a visual command center for your entire family. The interface is simple and colorful, making it easy for everyone—from your toddler to your tech-challenged spouse—to understand what’s happening and when.

It’s not just a calendar; it’s a life coach. It displays schedules, reminders, to-do lists, and even sends notifications to your phone. And, bonus: it’s pretty enough to sit on your kitchen counter without making you cringe at its tech-y look.

Visuals That Work for Everyone (Even Toddlers)

Color-Coded Chaos, Simplified

One of my favorite features is the color-coding. Each family member gets their own color—pink for me, blue for my husband, green for the toddler, and yellow for “family events.” I can see at a glance whose turn it is to pick up groceries or when my husband’s night shifts are scheduled.

This feature is particularly helpful during the school year when my brain is already juggling lesson plans, IEP meetings, and my own students’ projects. Instead of wondering Did I already book that parent-teacher conference?, I just glance at the Skylight Calendar and breathe a sigh of relief.

Toddler-Friendly Chore Charts

Now, let’s talk about how this has turned my almost 3-year-old into a chore enthusiast. (Yes, I’m serious.) The Skylight Calendar allows you to create recurring tasks, and I’ve made a chore chart just for her. Each chore comes with a cute icon—like a broom for “pick up toys” or a plate for “help set the table.”

Here’s the magic: every time she completes a task, she gets to tap the screen and check it off. This small action is big for toddlers who love feeling independent and accomplished. She even races to finish her chores just to hear me say, “Wow, you’re doing such a great job!”

Keeping Up with My Husband’s Rotating Schedule

My husband works a rotating schedule that can shift between days, nights, and weekends. Pre-Skylight Calendar, I used to scribble his work shifts on a dry-erase board and pray I remembered to check it. (Spoiler: I didn’t.)

Now, his schedule is synced to the Skylight Calendar, and it automatically updates when there are changes. This has saved us from countless miscommunications. For example, I no longer assume he’s home for bedtime when he’s actually on the night shift. It also helps us plan family time around his crazy hours, ensuring we don’t accidentally double-book a playdate during one of his rare days off.

Managing My Teacher Life

Staff Meetings and Deadlines

As a teacher, my schedule is a whirlwind of staff meetings, grading deadlines, and after-school activities. I sync my work calendar with the Skylight, and it’s been a game-changer. Now, I can see my personal, family, and professional commitments in one place without getting overwhelmed.

For instance, one week I had:

    •    A staff meeting at 2:30 PM.

    •    Parent-teacher conferences from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

    •    A grocery pickup window between 7:30 and 8:00 PM.

Without the Skylight Calendar, I’d have completely forgotten to grab milk for the toddler (and we all know how well that would’ve gone).

The New Reward System: Chores + Fun = Happy Kids

Now for the best part: the reward system I implemented using the Skylight Calendar. Here’s how it works:

    1.    Daily Chores = Points

Each chore completed by my toddler earns her a star. Things like brushing her teeth, cleaning up her toys, or helping me load the dishwasher count as “tasks.”

    2.    Stars = Fun Rewards

At the end of the week, she can trade her stars for rewards like a movie night, extra playtime at the park, or picking a special dessert.

    3.    Visual Progress

The Skylight Calendar shows her star count as a fun little badge, which keeps her motivated. Seeing her progress visually on the screen makes it much more exciting than a boring sticker chart.

This system has not only encouraged her to help out but has also taught her the basics of responsibility and delayed gratification—all while saving me from having to nag her 20 times to “clean up those blocks, please!”

Why the Skylight Calendar Is Worth It

I’ll admit, when I first saw the price tag, I hesitated. But after a month of using it, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny. Here’s why:

    •    It’s a time-saver. No more flipping through different apps or sticky notes to figure out what’s happening.

    •    It reduces stress. Everyone knows what’s on the agenda, and there’s less “Mom, what are we doing today?”

    •    It empowers kids. The interactive visuals make it easy for little ones to feel involved.

    •    It strengthens communication. My husband and I are on the same page (literally), which means fewer scheduling mishaps.

Final Thoughts: Is the Skylight Calendar for You?

If you’re a busy mom, a teacher, or someone trying to juggle a million moving pieces, the Skylight Calendar is your new best friend. It keeps your family organized, reduces stress, and even makes chores fun for the little ones.

Ready to take the plunge? Grab your Skylight Calendar here! Your future self will thank you.

Now, if only it could write IEPs…

Skylight Calendar helps me get the whole family organized with chore charts, meal planning, lists, and more. Get $20 off your Calendar by using the following discount code:

FRIEND-MLRMP9M

You can use this discount when purchasing a new Calendar at https://www.skylightframe.com/products/skylight-calendar