The Decibel The stress of shared calendars in modern parenting
19 snips
Nov 7, 2025 
Zosia Bielski, a time-use reporter at The Globe and Mail, dives into the complexities of modern parenting and shared calendars. She reveals how parents juggle multiple scheduling tools, from sleek apps to traditional planners, highlighting the pressures they face. Zosia discusses the cognitive load on mothers and asks whether technology alleviates or exacerbates anxiety. As families navigate the busy post-pandemic landscape, she raises crucial questions about responsibility, spontaneity, and the true value of their time.
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High-Tech Hubs Replace Paper Calendars
- Families increasingly use high-tech shared calendars because paper notes no longer keep up with busy lives.
- Devices like Hearth centralize schedules into a conspicuous home hub to reduce missed commitments.
Multiple Tools Stack In Practice
- Families often layer multiple scheduling tools like paper, Google Calendar, touchscreen displays, and apps.
- Different tools serve different flows: shared calendars, sports apps, and messaging for carpools.
Athletic Families Become Power Users
- Parents of multiple athletic kids, especially during adolescence, become the most intense calendar users.
- They use calendars for a visual roadmap and to mentally prepare for a busy week.