Spring Calendar Reminders For Parents

March 12^th marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time – the day most of Canada welcomes a much needed extra hour of sunlight after a long, dark and dreary winter! If you live in Saskatchewan like me, you simply adjust your TV viewing schedule (we don’t change our clocks, ever!)

For many, this extra hour of sun, along with the warming temperatures, means that more time is spent outdoors, making it sometimes challenging for parents to stay ahead of those not-so-top-of-mind household tasks.

To help you stay on track this spring and to build better habits all year long, consider placing a calendar in a high traffic area of your home – such as the kitchen or foyer – and place monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly reminders for the following tasks:

Replace toothbrushes: The Canadian Dental Association recommends you change your toothbrush every three months[1]. Place a smiley face sticker at the start of every third month of the year to remind you to buy new brushes for your family.

Check medicine expiry dates: Remember that all medicines expire, including vitamins and supplements. To ensure your medicine cabinet is up to date, schedule a simple calendar reminder for twice a year. This will remind you to check the expiry date and re-stock, if necessary.

Change the baking soda in your fridge: Placing a box of Arm & Hammer™ Fridge-n-Freezer™ or Fridge Fresh™ Baking Soda in your fridge or freezer helps to eliminate odours and keeps your fridge smelling fresh. While many use this simple tip, it can be easy to forget when it’s time to replace the open box. When you purchase a new box, jot down a replacement reminder on the box for a month’s time to maintain maximum odour elimination, ensuring your food stays fresher, longer.

 Keeping healthy: Simple healthy habits, such as getting all of the required amount of fruits and veggies or taking vitamins, can slip our minds during hectic days. Vitafusion™ Vitamin D is a great addition to your routine, especially during the fall and winter months, when heavy clothes and cloudy weather can inhibit the production of Vitamin D in the body. To ensure your body gets all the Vitamin D it needs try placing a reminder in your calendar at the start of the fall season to start taking a supplement.  Very few foods naturally contain this vitamin, meaning a supplement may be the best way to get your necessary intake[2]. Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D supports bone and teeth health – Vitafusion™ Vitamin D also comes in a delicious gummy and is the perfect alternative to a traditional hard-to-swallow pill.

Keeping a family calendar is a lifesaver for many families. What are some of your calendar reminders and tips that you think families should consider?