Is your family schedule a source of peace or a constant state of panic?

In this episode of Finding Calm in the Chaos, hosts Joe and Gretchen get vulnerable about the mental load of modern parenting and the one "low-tech" tool that keeps their household from spinning out of control.

While the digital world tries to sell us an app for everything, Joe and Gretchen explain why they’ve gone back to basics with a master paper calendar. They take you behind the scenes of their "Sunday Sit-down," a weekly ritual where they map out the chaos before it happens.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The "Invisible Work" Reality: Gretchen shares a candid confession about the gendered division of household labor and why a shared visual schedule is a game-changer for equity at home.

• Not All Planners are Created Equal: A deep dive into the specific large-format planner they use—including the must-have sections for meal planning, prayer lists, and chores.

• The "Big Rocks" Strategy: How to prioritize important obligations without forgetting to schedule the things that actually fuel you (yes, we’re talking about date nights and friend time!).

• Flexibility is Key: The specific phrase Joe and Gretchen use when life goes sideways and plans have to change.

Whether you have a family of two or ten, this episode offers practical, tactile tips to help you reduce stress, reclaim your time, and find a little more "calm" in the middle of your week. Here is the link to the paper planner that we use: Family Plan Calendar – Family Teams