How a Smart Calendar Transformed My Chaotic Family Life

Introducing the 15-Inch Skylight Smart Display

Why Organization Matters

Maintaining order can seem like an uphill battle for someone who prides themselves on organization. Despite my efforts to control my schedule and environment, life's surprises—like moving houses or welcoming new family members—often derail my progress.

My preference has always been traditional—using a bullet journal and a wall calendar. However, not having them on hand all the time posed a problem, compounded by my frequent misplacement of pens. This is where the Skylight Calendar made a notable difference in my life.

The Features of the Skylight Calendar

A Technologically Advanced Calendar

The Skylight Calendar is a cutting-edge touchscreen device available in both 10-inch and 15-inch configurations. It consistently displays an interactive calendar, acting like an ever-present planner.

With three active children and a pet to care for, scheduling conflicts were common—missed medical appointments and forgotten school events were just the start. My trusty wall calendar, bought annually, couldn't keep up with our fast-paced life after our cross-country move.

In search of a better solution, I tried the Skylight Calendar last fall. From the moment I started using it, reverting back seemed impossible.

Simplifying Our Daily Routine

The Skylight Calendar, with its sleek 15-inch display, resembles a high-quality tablet. It operates on an Android platform and is either mounted on walls or placed on furniture. I opted to replace my outdated wall calendar with this modern gadget.

With the help of the Skylight mobile application, adding events, tasks, and meal plans is swift. Each user can email events to their custom Skylight address, which then appears on the calendar instantaneously.

Additional functionalities like scheduling chores or setting dinner plans enhance its utility. No matter my location—whether a doctor's office, school parking lot, or home—the Skylight app keeps my family informed of all events.

Visibility and Accessibility

You might wonder why not simply use a phone's calendar app? The answer lies in the continuous visibility of the Skylight Calendar. It becomes a central hub for the family, accessible even to young children who don't own smartphones, since the display is always active unless put to sleep.

Additionally, the Skylight Calendar effortlessly syncs with other popular digital planners, such as Google, Outlook, Apple, Cozi, and Yahoo.

Though idle mode offers the option of showcasing photos like a digital frame—a feature coming with a Skylight Plus subscription—I chose to forego this to keep costs down. Yet, several features like importing emails or PDFs to events suggest convenience and utility.

The calendar fits perfectly in our designated drop zone, improving household synchronization and order.

Cost Considerations

The price point—$320 for the larger model—initially discouraged my purchase decision-making. Skylight isn't a widely recognized brand, and concerns about future support and longevity lingered, unlike more established producers like Apple or Samsung.

After 18 months of ownership, I'm pleased to report continued updates and support from Skylight, even as the company expands and introduces larger versions.

Final Recommendation

I was fortunately given a review unit for testing, and after several months, I've grown confident enough to purchase it myself despite its cost. Skylight offers a smaller version, ideal for less busy households.

The primary advantage is its visual interface that unifies home organization, syncing with phone calendars and allowing updates from anywhere, creating transparency for the entire household. Guests often marvel at its presence, and its impact speaks for itself, inspiring at least one friend to make a purchase.