AIBU to think a digital family diary should exist??

[MissIonX]

We are UK based. I've googled (most solutions are from US).

I know this is a first world problem. But due to overwhelm, I've not noted an important appointment in the paper calendar which means a hospital appointment was missed when I'm on a work trip.

We have shelves to take down and I would like to put in it's place an A1 type size digital calendar that can sync to multiple calendars on phones so both DH and I can add; a to do list and meal planning would be awesome too as functionality. I don't think I'm asking the world!

AIBU expecting this to exist? (YABU) Or am I on to something and should create a new business?? (YANBU)

Sorry it's late, my autistic child won't settle and I'm so overwhelmed trying to balance my list of things to do at home outwith my FT job and DH and I are worried about missing appointments again 😢

I decided the bite the bullet and have ordered a Skylight Calendar this morning.

I'll come back and write a full review once I've been using it for a little bit.

Please do!! I’m still so tempted but worried it’ll end up not being used. Also super random but I’d love a photo (& dimensions?!) of the plug? As I’d really like to wall mount but worried it’ll be too big?

skylight is brilliant. I was so anti it at first but DH ordered it and it’s been brilliant. The children can check it themselves, you can send emails from schools and it picks up the dates and puts it in automatically and the photo display quality is amazing. I would highly recommend.

So I've not actually received mine yet! I ordered it on Sat 6th and it was due to be delivered Tues 9th (I paid for standard shipping so was impressed), it DHL lost my parcel!

As soon as I let Skylight know they immediately refunded me the shopping and contacted DHL, earlier this week when DHL confirmed they had "misplaced" my parcel, Skylight confirmed they would send me out another one (which again in really impressed by), and I'm due to get it delivered this afternoon! Fingers crossed it makes it to me this time 🙂

Do you pay for the annual upgrade to have the calendar show photos? Do you feel it's worth it (I know there are other features not just photos)?

I use time tree. I need to check it as it doesn’t notify but it is a way of keeping track will look at some of the others suggested

Shared google calendar.

That's a shame that it doesn't do notifications!

@44PumpLanejust coming back to this thread and wondered if you rated your skylight now you’ve had it a while? I’m seriously tempted but worry if it will actually be useful/work as envisioned 🤔

Morning @mommybear1 , I had forgotten to come and report back to this thread so thank you for the reminder!

Honestly, I do really love my Skylight calendar, I find it really useful for keeping on top of the family's appointments and especially knowing where my ADHD husband is MEANT to be so I can remind him 🤣

I pay the £60 a year for the ability to display photos (I know there is other functionality but I don't use it so essentially I'm paying £60 to show photos), which is probably quite ridiculous.

I think there are other calendars that you can now buy on Amazon that include the ability to use as a photo frame in with the initial purchase price which would be worth investigating if you were concerned about the ongoing annual cost.

I would recommend it and would buy it again if it broke though, which I think tells you all you need to know.

I particularly appreciate the "countdown" functionality, meaning I can set up a specific appointment to show a countdown that will start a couple weeks before the appointment and shows on the base of the calendar so if it's something you need to prepare for then you are aware of it from the point the countdown starts, which is super useful.

Happy to answer any specific questions but honestly I really love mine!

We have a large Echo Show in the kitchen which has shopping lists and calendar (we all have shared Google calendars) works brilliantly. I also have a magnetic whiteboard on the fridge which has the next 7 days events listed and also has space for little notes.

Can you change the format of the calendar in Skylight? I love the idea of having a digital but visible shared calendar but I want it to look more like a traditional family wall calendar. Whenever I've seen pictures of Skylight it's only showing one view (ie the days of the week across the top, times down the side and individual entries colour coded by person).

Skylight

I've just bought the Skylight Max (27") and it's pretty impressive. My 20 year old DD with LDs and ASD has already got up, washed and dressed to earn her stars, and she's just come to me to tell me that she decided to empty the whole dishwasher (usually only has to do the top rack), so I gave her an extra 2 stars.

Hi, sorry you are carrying so much. Shared calendars are great for appointments and school stuff. For the yearly things that keep slipping (birthdays, anniversaries, the dates that only come round once a year), I have found it helps to keep those in a simple annual calendar on my iPhone, separate from the busy week view. Add them once, get a nudge with enough time to post a card. If you are on iPhone, Every Year is one that does that quietly: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/every-year-calendar/id6468367187 Hope something eases the load a bit.

We use the Family Wall app. I have a “house” login so we don’t bother with premium, but it syncs with outlook and google if tou do.

I bought a sky light but it wouldn’t upload everyone’s Google calendars - only one. So it was returned and we’re back to printed off months off the computer!

It should do if you've shared the calendars. I have my Google calender as the linked calendar, but my DH's calender is shared with me, and my parents' calender is also shared with me, so I can see it all on Skylight.

Just thought I'd come back again as people are still using this thread- I'm genuinely still loving my Skylight- I find it a really helpful tool for our family.

I agree it won't suit everyone but for me it has definitely been a worthwhile purchase.

Happy to answer any questions, just @ me if you ask me anything.

Pedant, here. Despite increasingly common usage as a noun, “overwhelm” is a VERB. Only and ever a verb. Presented as a noun it’s as irritating as radio static and sets my teeth on edge. I can’t read beyond it on the page. Yes, I do recognize that it’s a “me” problem. But there it is.

I have a Cozyla which is calendar, meal prep , shopping lists etc and syncs to our iPhones. It’s like skylight (someone linked it before) but without a subscription.

eta- if you only need it for appointments you can easily use the iPhone calendar and share it with other family members who have iPhone.

I believe you need a subscription. Have a look at Cozyla- you can do the same if not more and not pay for subscription

@44PumpLane do you pay monthly subscription? If yes, how much is it?

I always appreciate a small pedantic protest on MN 😂

Thank you very much. It can be risky move.