Life is busy and just keeps getting busier. If you're a parent, especially of school-aged children, busy may not even begin to describe the chaos that may ensue on any given day.

Working parent? Forget about it.The days of the stay-at-home mom and the kids playing outside after school are long gone for most of us. Today, we're more likely to have to schedule someone to pick them up at the bus stop and make arrangements for play dates.How do you keep track of everyone's schedule without losing your mind?Write it down.Whether you use a wall calendar, desk calendar, pocket calendar, or one of the many phone apps, there's a method that will work for you."I am very old school," says Amanda Zellers of Kunkletown, the chief planner for husband Zachary, son Kaine, 6, and daughter, Lydia, 4."I have a paper planner and I write all of the usual monthly things in it "PTO meetings, board meetings, extracurricular." Then I fill in everything around with doctor's appointments, outings and anything else that comes up."While her children are still young enough that their schedules aren't too unwieldy, she still has her hands full.Lydia, who attends Palmerton Preschool, doesn't have much more than play dates, Kaine's schedule is already full. In addition to being in the first grade at Towamensing Elementary School, he'll be a Cub Scout this year. He also has numerous doctor appointments, and sees specialists for different needs.To help keep track of his appointments, Zellers tries to schedule them a month in advance and usually at the same time, so they're easier to keep track of. She also writes everything in her full-size month-at-a-glance planner."I legit carry this book with me just about every minute of every day because I am absolutely lost without it!" she says.The oversized book fits well in her oversized purse.In addition to her children's schedules, Zellers' calendar keeps track of upcoming family trips or vacations, as well as any time her mother-in-law might be heading out of town. With her busy schedule - Zellers is active in the PTO and volunteers as much and as often as she can, and also teaches art in her home and classes around the area - she needs extra hands, especially when her husband's work schedule conflicts with hers.Was Zellers always super-organized?"No. After I had kids, I went into crazy mode as far as being organized. It seemed like there was always something to do," she says. "I feel like it never ends."We asked parents on Facebook how they keep track of their family's schedules. Some like an old-fashioned calendar or planner, like Zellers, while others like to go high-tech with apps for their phones that keep track of everyone's schedule, send daily updates, as well as alerts and reminders."With four kids, being in school full time, working full time, PTOs and being in charge of fundraising for an upcoming trip for dance, life is crazy," said Kimberly Fleming. "My oldest daughter and son are in football, which is five days a week, and my youngest and second daughter are in soccer, which is two times a week for each for practice. Starting in September, between the four, they are also in 11 dance classes and then in October, my oldest daughter will begin practice for her travel football team."I use the calendar app on my phone with reminders as well as a white board where everyone has a color and (it) gets updated every Monday morning," Fleming said. "This is a yearlong thing because after soccer and football comes basketball and then soccer, softball and baseball in the spring. Dance is year-round."Kristen Lynn Cremeens said "a giant wall calendar, a network of fellow moms and family members and a little prayer keep this crazy circus afloat.""It's funny to see that color coding is still out there," said Sue Anthony."After my second child was born, they got a color for coding purposes, which they still use to this day. Then the third one came and color coding was a blessing! If I forgot a practice coming up they each reminded me after seeing their colored initial on the calendar. Even now with one being a senior and involved with band and other things and one other older child still living with us, we are all still color coded. Makes things so much easier these days," Anthony said.Some respondents mixed the old with the new.Rebecca Ebbert uses a grid calendar on the wall and on her iPhone."Even that doesn't guarantee I won't forget something," said Ebbert.Linda Morrison also makes notes in several places, such as a color-coded white board, a date book, and has alarms on her phone."And I still miss appointments!" Morrison said.Sarah Streby and her husband, Brian, had three kids, and this year, each of them are in a different school: elementary, junior high and high school."We utilize the 'family' iCloud calendar on our phones. Each member can add events. Only mom and dad can change them," Streby said."I also keep a date book where I physically write down everything. And I keep a calendar on the fridge that has everything. There is never a reason to not know what's going on. My husband and I both work from home, but occasionally have to commute to our 'out-of-state' corporate offices."Keeping this open line of communication allows us to stay in sync."For Zellers, a phone app isn't really an option."I'm not really tech savvy," she said. "And I try not to have my phone always attached to my hip.