Let’s be real: managing a household (especially with little kids in tow) sometimes feels like running a small operation. There are moving parts everywhere, and if I don’t have systems in place, things slip through the cracks. Or worse, I feel like only I am capable of doing everything since all the knowledge lives in my head instead of somewhere my husband and I can both access the info, and that creates overwhelm for me and frustration for my husband, who wants to be an equal parent and partner. That’s where my command centers come in—a few key spots around our home that keep things flowing smoothly so we can focus on actually living, not just managing the logistics of life.

These aren’t Pinterest-perfect setups with fancy labels and color coding (though, props if that’s your thing!). They’re just simple, functional spots that help streamline family communication, meal planning, getting out the door, and being prepared for whatever life throws at us.

Here’s a peek at how we make it work:

1. The Fridge Whiteboard: Where Meal Planning Meets Grocery Shopping

This is our kitchen HQ. It’s where I map out the weekly menu, based on our monthly meal planning template, and where our ongoing shopping lists live.

• One side has the meal plan for the week. No more "What’s for dinner?" conversations at 5 PM.

• The other side has two running grocery lists—one for Costco (since I do a big haul twice a month) and one for Whole Foods.

• Ben and I add things as we notice we’re running low, so when one of us is placing an order or heading to the store, we just check the board and add what’s needed. This also helps us share this responsibility.

• Whole Foods pickup is a game-changer for us—we place an order from our phone, roll up, and have it loaded into the car. Easy, efficient, and one less thing to juggle.

2. The Weekly Calendar Whiteboard: No More “Wait, You Never Told Me That”

While most of our schedule lives in Gmail, I don’t always want to rely on my phone, and neither does Ben. So, I keep a weekly calendar whiteboard in a visible spot.

• Every Sunday, I update it with that week’s schedule. This is a great reset moment for me—I get to mentally walk through our week before we’re in it and touch base with Ben about anything out of the ordinary to make sure we're on the same page.

• It includes everything from kid activities to appointments to Ben's long workout blocks to mom’s night out. I also mark which days the kids are in school (three days right now) and pickup times.

• Since it’s in a central spot, if I’m in a meeting or busy, Ben can glance at it instead of searching emails or (worse) texting me mid-Zoom call to double-check what time he needs to be at soccer pickup. Having all the info laid out means we can easily step in and help each other out without confusion.

If you love a digital display that connects right to your digital calendar, there are some really cool new options available. Check out Skylight Frame, Hearth Display, or Cozyla. Maybe one day I will want one of those, but for now, my Weekly Dry Erease Board works great for us. 

3. The Mudroom Setup: The “Get Out the Door” Zone

If you’ve ever tried to leave the house with kids and ended up frantically searching for socks, a lost shoe, or mittens… you know the struggle. Having everything prepped and ready to go in one spot has saved us so much stress.

I take it to heart that making my kids rush and them sensing my stress getting out the door passes that stress and anxiety on to them. And I really don’t want the last experience together before school drop-off to be anything but positive.

• Socks and shoes for the week? Right there.

• Coats and hats on hooks, mittens in a basket.

• Backpacks are hung up, not strewn across the house.

• A bottle of sunblock + an application brush live on the counter so we can do a quick swipe before heading out.

• If you don’t have a full mudroom, a simple entryway basket for shoes/socks and a hook for coats can still work wonders! Most people do the shoes at the door, but adding socks there is a life-changer.

4. The Car Command Center: My “I Forgot Something” Insurance Plan

The key to carrying less in my diaper bag purse? Keeping my car stocked with essentials. My trunk organizer holds:

• An umbrella, extra kid jackets, and a spare pair of pants for my youngest (because potty accidents happen!).

• Packaged snacks and a refillable water jug that I swap out weekly. We go through water constantly, and this way, I can refill bottles anywhere. (Bonus: The old water gets used for my plants.)

• Seasonal add-ons: Hand warmers, gloves, and socks in the winter; sunblock and bug spray in the summer.

• Baby wipes—because they solve 99% of parenting messes.

• When my toddler was still potty training, I even kept a small potty in the trunk. Pro tip: If they needed to poop, I’d line the potty with a diaper first so cleanup was easy.

• And of course, emergency car supplies like a battery jumper, stored separately.

With this setup, if something unexpected happens (which, let’s be honest, it always does), I’m rarely caught off guard. No more stress over forgotten items or surprise messes—I’ve got a backup plan in place.

These command centers aren’t about perfection—they’re about reducing mental load, stress, and those frantic last-minute scrambles. They set me up for success before I need them, which makes everything feel just a little bit easier.