I’m a bit of a prepper + planner

I can’t help it. I grew up with earthquakes, typhoons, natural disasters, and power outages. My brain was set-up to look for the worst case scenario and prepare for it.

So it’s no surprise that I take emergency preparedness and planning seriously. I’ve set smoke alarms off randomly to see how my kids react. I’ve walked them through how to open windows in the dark, placed metal heavy-duty flashlights in the kids’ window sills, and explained that they can use it to break open the window in an emergency to jump out.

I also like routine- not shocking! With all the decisions I have to make as a mom of four in a day/week/year, the more I can plan or prepare ahead and eliminate decision fatigue, the smoother our weeks go. [And the better my mental health is!]

Which brings me to exhibit A, our command center:

I try REALLY hard to update this each weekend for the week ahead, but had gotten behind during winter break with the kids being home. So, I jumped back on the bandwagon this weekend and got our week ready.

What you’ll need:

• 10 x 14 Clear Sleeves. Something like this orderable on Amazon!

• A magnetic dry erase board. I got ours from Target here.

• Dry erase markers

• Magnetic clips. I love these heavy duty ones also Amazon, but I’ve seen them at Target or Walmart too!

• Not pictured, but I also have this magentic marker holder from Target.

Located in our mudroom, where we all walk past it daily, here’s what our command center includes:

1) The weekly meal plan.

Click the image below to download and print your meal plan sheet:

I don’t always make the exact meal listed everyday, but it’s nice to have 7 meals to choose from!
Just slip in your clear sleeve, and use a dry erase marker to write out your meals for the week. Wipe clean each week, and reuse!

2) Our school lunch and breakfast menus!

I print them off of our district’s website monthly. Lunch is on one side, breakfast is on the other. It helps the kids quickly decide if they’d like to eat school lunch, or pack their own each day!

3) The Weekly Schedule

Sports practices, appointments, pajama days, band days…. There’s just so much to remember for 4 kids! So, I write it out weekly with my dry erase markers, and wipe clean and revise weekly!

Click the image below to download and print your weekly schedule printable sheet:

4) The Chore List

Ah, yes, the dreaded chore chart. We call it the “Expectation List”. My big kids each have daily ‘chores’ that are expected to be accomplished after school. It takes them less than 15 minutes each day, and once accomplished, they get access to their electronics/video games (with parent locks, and time limits). Side note: a wireless mesh system is fantastic for controlling all internet devices at your fingertips!

We change up the chores each season (usually as sports practices change) so no child feels like they get “stuck” with the “non-preferred” chores for very long, and so it’s efficient based on schedules depending on the time of year.

You can download my google sheet HERE, make a copy, and make it your own! It’s nothing fancy, but it’s specific, color coded, easy to read, and eliminates (or at least reduces) the fight over chores!

I color code each child for their own ease of use.

5) The Emergency Sheet

I think this is one of the best things I’ve ever done. The front page is a very simple reminder to “CALL 911” if there’s an emergency, and has our address listed. For a super simple version you can download, print, and write your own address in, click here or the image below.

Print and write in your own home address!

In my lifetime, I’ve had to call 911 on two occasions. The first, I was in high school and stumbled over my own home address, but got it out. In the moment, it was super stressful, so having this page handy would hopefully help my kids, a babysitter, or friend/family member to provide details quickly and accurately.

The backside has ALL of our important information that emergency personnel would want/need to know including:

• Family Members’ names, birthdate/age, current meds, and allergies

• Contact info of family, trusted friends, etc.

• Our Medical Providers and contact information

• Our Pets’ info

Click the image to make a copy and edit with your own family info!

I have one of these posted in a clear sleeve on our command center, as well as the main entrance of our home. It’s something my kids, a babysitter, unfamiliar child/adult, or I could hand to emergency personnel or grab on my way out the door if I needed to.

This is what works for our family, but your command center may look very different! It’s something that’s evolved over time for us, but other uses have included:

• Clipping important forms to return to school, or mail to be sent out.

• Writing a reminder or note to one another. (Library book due!)

• A place to keep/hang pool passes or theme park membership passes over the summer!

• A spot to write the never-ending home “to-do” list (fix the rain gutter, touch up the paint, etc.)

Get those command centers going and someday I’ll introduce you to my Emergency Family Binder, first aid kits, and our emergency tote. Happy organizing!