You wouldn’t operate a chain saw, a computer, or a new stove without an owner’s manual, so why not have one for your family as well? A family owners manual will keep things organized for members of the family as well as providing emergency information for babysitters and other caregivers.
Since each family is different, each family will require different things to be put into their family owner’s manual. Make the manual suited to your own family’s needs. You can include as much or as little information as you feel is best.
If you are in doubt about needing a family owner’s manual, let me share a little bit of my own experience.
We had a medical emergency in our family last year that required lots of help from family and friends. Kids needed to be cared for, picked up from school, driven to church activities, fed, etc. Without knowing I was doing so, I quickly began to put together a manual that outlined all of the different needs, the emergency contact information, back up baby sitters, medical and prescription information and more. It helped our family continue to function during a difficult time.
Even without an emergency, a family owner’s manual is a good idea to keep you organized in the day to day. Some things that you might want to include may be the school directory and calendar, take out menus, sports schedules, the church director and events, basic medical information, such as the proper dosages of medications, contract information for service providers (such as exterminators or plumbers), and more.
To get even more detailed, sections for a family calendar, a weekly or monthly menu plan and even a supply inventory could be added.
Use a large binder to keep everything handy and in one place. Alternatively, you can also designate one drawer where all of this information is kept.