This is what it looks like when I sneak out of the house to plan out the week and write while Daniel handles bedtime. Chamomile tea and Mama’s Notebooks. Also my laptop, but I start with the notebooks so I know what I need to tackle first.
Maybe it’s because I’m a visual learner, but if something is out of sight….it doesn’t exist to me. Which is why keeping a calendar on a phone app has never worked for me. I have TRIED to use google calendar, but because it hangs out in an icon on my phone, I never use it. For the past several months, I’ve been using the only planner that I’ve ever been able to use consistently: Mama’s Notebooks.
Created by fellow Catholic homeschooling mama, Heather Wood, the Weekly Planner and Organizer is a life saver for me.
I LOVE that it doesn’t have the dates already written in because I can begin anytime. And at the top there’s space to write in meals for the week (meal planning has been a discipline we’ve tried to focus on this year!).
There’s plenty of room for to-do lists and there’s slots for morning, afternoon, and evening to schedule the week. I even jot down blog post ideas in the extra space.
I never needed to keep a weekly planner until after having Lucy, my second baby. I don’t know if it’s because life just got more complicated with more kiddos and with writing/blogging, or if my brain just can’t remember things like I used to (pregnancy brain? Can you still blame that a year postpartum?). Who knows. I have to write stuff down now, especially if it’s out of our normal weekly routine like doctor’s appointments or meals for new moms, etc.
And this year, I’m going to start implementing The Homeschool Notebook. Benjamin is only 5, but now that he’s reading well, we’re going to add some Math in this year (and probably start Lucy on the Twenty-Six Letters to Heaven curriculum). And it will be great to have a space to jot down our field trips, library wish list, etc.
Mama’s Notebooks also has a New Baby Notebook, a Knit and Crocket Notebook, and a Budget Notebook
And two lucky readers can win the Mama’s Notebook of their choice! (Giveaway only available for U.S. readers due to shipping reasons.) Here’s how to enter:
MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit The Mama’s Notebooks site to view the choices. Leave a comment on this giveaway post to tell us which one you would choose.
Optional Entries:
1. “Like” the Mama’s Notebook FB Page and leave a comment on this post telling us that you did.
2. Pin one of the images from this post and leave a comment on this post telling us that you did.
Giveaway ends Saturday night at midnight EST!
Disclosure: This giveaway was sponsored by Mama’s Notebooks and the review planners I received were complimentary. As always, I only promote products that I use, love, and am excited to share! You can find out about sponsoring a giveaway or advertising with me on my advertising page or contacting me at haley.s.stewart@gmail.com
It’s hard to choose, but I think I would get the weekly homeschool planner.
I “liked” Mama’s Notebooks on FB. (My FB name is Amy Smith)
I pinned an image to my “Homeschooling Organization” board 🙂
The Mama’s notebook would be for me!
Love the planner! It would be perfect for our home schooling family!
🙂
This is perfect timing! I’m in need of a new planner & like you, need a visual. I would love a Moms notebook!!
I also liked their FB page.
I would love to use the Weekly Planner and Organizer
I liked their page. Seems like a great idea and something similar to what I do now but more organized! ;o)
I liked the Mamas notebook FB page
I think the weekly homeschool planner would be great and helpful.
Almost too difficult to choose. I’d say the Mama’s Notebook, with the Weekly School Planner running a close second.
I think I would pick the budget book. Something like that made just for moms sounds really, really helpful.
I also pinned one of the pictures from the post( my pintrest name is mamadelisle)
I “liked” the Facebook page.
I pinned a image on my Pinterest “homeschooling” board.
I want a Mama’s notebook! I definitely think my 3rd baby took the last little bit of brains i had left and I could really use a tool like this to keep everything straight.
I “LIKED” Mama’s notebook FB page
I pinned this to my “Clean and Organized” Pinterest board
I think I would choose the Mama’s weekly Notebook, I can imagine how I could include some home preschool plans in there alongside meals and appointments, etc.
I liked the facebook page
I pinned a picture to my Homemaking pinterest board.
I am the same, I can’t use an app because I forget to open it! Just moved into a new house so the mamas notebook would be perfect for all the to do lists and restocking my pantry and kid craft cabinet.
These look like great notebooks! I think I would probably go for the Mama’s Notebook for general organization, but I do really love the Knit Notebook as well!
I liked the Mama’s Notebooks facebook page!
The buget calendar for me!
That Mama’s notebook looks like a lifesaver! Would definitely get that one…. thanks!
I would love to win a weekly planner and organizer! Thanks for the opportunity.
I “liked” the Mama’s Notebook facebook page.
I love the Mama’s Notebook (Weekly planner & organizer)! Would love to win one!
I “liked” the facebook page!
Definitely the New Baby planner – our first little one is due this Advent, so I’m trying to get ready! 🙂
And I pinned!
I relate so much to your comments about the need for a tangible planner! My husband is trying to get me to use the IPad to plan my homeschool year and I hate it!
I liked their Facebook and pinned them. I think I would like the homeschool monthly planner best. This will be my 1st year homeschooling preschool and I’m excited!
I have the same issue as you with keeping a calendar. This looks like something I would really like, though! Mama’s Notebook for me!
Totally need the Mama’s Notebook. That looks perfect – I, too, am very visual, though I can say Google fulfills some of my needs (mostly because my husband can always see everything I am planning to do). I’d love to have meals and other plans all in one place though!
I liked Mama’s Notebooks on FB! I love the idea of the Mama’s notebook. Looks perfect for the type of organizing I’m beginning to realize I need with 3 littles of my own. 🙂
I ‘like’ Mama’s Notebooks on FB (Sarah G. Ortiz)
Pinned an image on my “Mama Stuffs” pinboard.
I “liked” Mama’s Notebooks on Facebook. I love the idea of the Mama’s Notebook. I’m also very visual when it comes to scheduling. I can not use Google Calendar or the calendar on my phone… if it is not an actual book I carry around and physically hold, then I forget everything!
I would choose the weekly Homeschool notebook. I am trying to be a little more disciplined this year now that I will be schooling two!
I need this. So I liked her facebook page 🙂
I would get the Mam’s Notebook. I would love to use it for meal planning!
I also pinned it 🙂
I liked Mama’s notebooks on Facebook!
A weekly school planner would be awesome! I’m thinking about starting homeschool preschool for my son next year and could use all the help I can get to prepare this summer.
I’m totally torn–I’m expecting my second baby in October, so I love the New Baby Notebook, but I’m staying home and taking over our budget starting in August, so the Budget Notebook looks awesome, too. How would a person ever decide?
I liked her Facebook page!
I pinned an image to pinterest!
I think i would get the most good out of the weekly momma book. Thank you
I would say the weekly planner, btw loooove your blog 🙂
I love the Mama’s Notebook and I pinned it! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/525513850242091781/
Tough Choice! I’m torn between the weekly planner and the homeschool planner. Probably the weekly planner!
liked on FB
pinned on pinterest
I would choose the weekly homeschool planner. I started filling one out on my computer (my first grader was eager to get started during the summer), but I think I need a hard copy book too.
Either the weekly homeschool planner or the budget planner. I’d have to think about it.
the weekly mom book for me!
While planning apps seem more practical, I choose paper planners over technology any day. There’s something about physically writing down my schedule that I just enjoy. The budgeting planner would be helpful, but I love the thought of using the knitting/crochet planner to plan projects!
I liked Mama’s Notebooks on Facebook!
I pinned this post to my “The Simple Things” Pinterest board.
I would love to win! If I don’t write things down on paper it’s impossible for me to remember them. I think it is pregnancy brain!
I liked on FB 🙂
Oh and I’d pick the Mama’s Notebook 🙂
It’s hard to choose! I love the homeschooling notebooks, but I think right now my needs lean more toward the Mama’s Notebook.
I would choose the weekly Homeschooling Notebook.
I would definitely choose Mama’s Notebook. I use google calendar, but it’s hard for me too. I need to be proactive about staying on top of what’s going on in our household.
I would love a weekly planner and organizer!
Just “liked” Mama’s Notebooks on FB!
Pinned!
I think the weekly planner notebook would be most useful
~Ruth Anne
Also, liked Mama’s Notebook on FB.
I’d love a budget notebook!
I’m pretty sure I’m going to get some of these planners for my friends as gifts because they’re amazing! And I LOVE the Mama’s Notebook…it’s like a combination of the millions printables I have floating around all in one place. Thanks for sharing!
I liked ’em on Facebook!
And I pinned to my “For Mommies” board! 🙂
I think Mama’s Notebook would be PERFECT for me balancing kids, meals, and my own studies.
I liked on FB too!!
I pinned onto ‘Homemaking’ also!
ooh, I think I need this Mama’s Notebook. I am so unorganized. I liked the fb page.
The Weekly Planner is my favorite. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I liked their Facebook page!
Pinned the giveaway!
If I had to choose just one, it would be the Mama’s Notebook:Planner and Organizer. I think my dh would love if I got the budget one though! Homeschooling is a close 3rd. 🙂
i love my Michele Quigley planner but i think the homeschool one or the new baby planner would be awesome!!
I just liked Mama’s Notebooks on Facebook.
Pinned this post to my scheduling/life organization board.
I would love the Mama’s notebook!
And I just liked them on FB!
aaaaand I just pinned it to my “cleaning up!” board 🙂 yes, I really want one!
I would pick the homeschool notebook. I’m going to be starting preschool this fall and will need something to keep me on track.
I liked Mama’s Notebooks FB page.
I liked them on FB and would love the weekly homeschool planner!
It’s a toss up between the weekly planner and the homeschool planner! If forced to choose, I’d probably go with the homeschool planner. But only if forced!
I think the Mama’s Notebook would be really helpful for me!
Definitely the Mama’s Notebook – it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!
I have been looking for a homeschool planner! Seriously, on the hunt this week. Thank you soooo much for sharing, Haley. I would take the weekly HS planner.
Liked MN FB page!
Aaaaaand pinned to my HS Ideas board. 🙂 Thanks again!
mama’s notebook. Love the meal planner!
Liked the FB page, too. 🙂
I would love to win The Homeschool Notebook. It looks very helpful!
I would like the weekly planner and organizer.
I would choose the weekly Homeschool Notebook.
I liked Mama’s Notebook on Facebook!
Pinned an image on my “Mom Stuff” Pinterest board!
I love all of her products and have been eyeing them for a long time, so thank you for the opportunity to win! It’s hard to choose, but I think I would get the Weekly Planner and Organizer! My life’s pretty much chaos with four busy young children.
I also “liked” Mama’s Notebooks on FB and pinned this post!
My husband and I have been looking for a good budget workbook. I think the Budget Notebook is just what we need to stay on track. We recently paid off our debts and are trying so hard to live within our means and pay cash only but it is such a tricky adjustment!
I’d really like a Weekly Planner & Organizer if I were so lucky as to win 😉
I’ve been using google calendar because I can sync it with my husband’s and it’s easier to plan things, but I so miss my Moleskine weekly planner!
I would have to go with the weekly Mama’s planner.
I liked ’em on FB, too!
So hard to choose! I think I would pick the Mama’s Notebook.
I really wanted the New Baby notebook before my third child was born, but now that she’s here, I’d love the Mama Notebook.
Just like Mama Notebooks FB page!
Pinned…love that first picture!
I would choose The Budget Notebook.
Liked on FB!
Pinned on Pinterest!
I would choose either the weekly planner/organizer or the knit and crochet notebook, I can’t choose between them right at the moment :).
I “liked” their Facebook page.
I pinned the Homeschool Notebook to my Pinterest board Homeschool Mom.
I’d have to chose the homeschool planner.
xo,
Christen
ChristenKrumm.com
I love the Weekly planner and organizer! And I liked the FB page!
I’d love the regular Mama’s Notebook!
I would definitely pick the Mama’s Notebook! Completely agree with you about being a “hands-on” planner type of girl–I’ve tried the Wunderlist app and abandoned it within two days because anything out-of-sight is definitely out-of-mind for me!
I also “like” Mama’s Notebooks on Facebook!
“Liked” Mama’s Notebook on FB (my name is Marchelle Guidry).
And thanks for introducing me to this!
Also, pinned the cherry blossom notebook photo!
Oops! I’m “M Guidry” on Pinterest.
The Mama’s Notebook is the one I’d choose, too!
I liked Mama’s Notebooks FB page. I really like the Mama’s Notebook Monthly Planner. It seems to have everything you need in one place.
Liked and pinned! I would love the Mama’s Notebook for meal planning purposes 🙂
The weekly planner and organizer is just what I need! Would love to win a copy!
I think I am definitely in need of the budget notebook but I like them all! I liked them on FB too!
I like the Mama’s Notebook. I love that there are places to plan all the meals as well as the day based on morning, afternoon, and evening rather than hourly.
Budget notebook!
The mama’s weekly planner would be the most helpful to me until I really dive into homeschooling (aka when my oldest is older than 3).
I think the Mama’s notebook is the most helpful one for me 🙂
I would love the mama’s notebook. The homeschooler’s notebook looks great too.
I liked Mama’s Notebooks on FB
The weekly homeschooling notebook; because that’s where my organization fails the most (with homeschooling). And we go by weeks and not months/units. =)
And I went and “liked” Mama’s Notebooks Facebook page! =)
I would love a mamas notebook! I liked their page and also pinned it!!
love, love, LOVE the mama’s notebook. As a very busy full time working mother who also loves to do so many other things, this would be amazingly helpful!
and pinned it on Pinterest…on my Great Ideas board 🙂
Oh, this homeschool planner does my Type A heart good! Thanks for the wonderful opportunity, Haley. I also appreciated the close-up pictures. I liked on fb and pinned too. 😉
LOVE the mama’s notebook!
Liked Mama’s Notebooks on Facebook!
I’m torn between the Mama’s notebook and the New Baby notebook. Both could be really useful in the near future.
I “liked” the facebook page.
Thanks for running this contest. I would love to win the general weekly planner!
I would love the weekly homeschool planner. It would be amazing.
I probably should want the weekly planner, but it’s the knit and crochet one that’s really calling my name!
The Mama’s notebook would be great. I am crazy nesting and feeling a need to organize EVERYTHING. This would be awesome.
I am torn between the Mama’s Notebook for myself or the New Baby notebook for my sister-in-law’s first baby 🙂 I can’t decide!
Weekly planner for sure!!!!!!!
I would choose the Mama’s Notebook Weekly Planner and Organizer! Thank you!
I liked the Mama’s Notebooks page on Facebook!
Just what I need! I just liked the Facebook page and I think the weekly homeschool notebook would be the most helpful followed by the mom’s organizer and the monthly homeschool notebook as well. I love them all! Thanks for sharing 🙂
God bless, Kathleen
I liked “Mamas Notebook” on FB.
Home school planner weekly (please).
we just finished our first year of homes hooking. My one an only thing I would change is going through the year without a planner. It made everything unnecessarily difficult. Next year I’m going to rock that planner! 🙂
I liked Mamas Notebooks on FB. 🙂
The Mama’s Notebook for me! Liked and pinned!
I liked on Facebook – Rachel Manley
The Mama’s Notebook would be well used. 🙂
The Mama’s Weekly Organizer looks awesome-I’ve been browsing for a new organizer that includes all of those features. Sweet! Thanks for sharing.
I went on the Mama’s Notebook site and have to say – I would choose the Mama’s Notebook!
I “liked” the Mama’s Notebook page!
Okay, everything you said resonates with me. I need to just get one of these! or win one! whichever comes first. I need the weekly planner. I’ve been much better about meal planning this year but then summer arrived and i’ve had a “fend for yourselves” mentality. LOL
I’m SUCH a visual learner and need to see it and hold it and write it down! my iPhone calendar only goes so far!
and I pinned the image to my Organized living board!
And now I’ve liked Mama’s notebooks on Facebook! yeah!
I like the Mama’s notebook organizer and weekly planner.
I liked the Mama’s Notebook facebook page!
I would love the Mama’s Weekly. I have a new baby and can’t seem to keep up with the weekly menu and to-do’s.
I like them on FaceBook.
I also pinned this post.
I don’t need a notebook, but I just wanted to say that I completely agree with you about having a visual, physical planner! My husband is a huge fan of Google calendar, but it just doesn’t work for me. There’s something about the physical act of writing something down that I love – besides the fact that I actually remember things!