CalmyraJournal

When we started building Calmyra, we had what we thought was a brilliant calendar design. Clean lines, intuitive drag-and-drop, all the standard features you'd expect. We were proud of our work – until we actually watched real families try to use it. We spent a week with three different families: the Wongs with their twin toddlers and conflicting work schedules, the Garcias managing blended family logistics, and the Parkers with three teenagers in competitive sports. What we observed changed everything. **The "Aha" Moment** The Wongs showed us their current system: a physical calendar on the fridge, color-coded with four different markers, plus digital calendars on their phones that never quite synced properly. "We spend more time coordinating our calendars than actually doing the activities," Mrs. Wong told us, exhaustion evident in her voice. The Garcias had a different challenge. With kids moving between two households, information constantly fell through the cracks. "We're not trying to be difficult," Mr. Garcia explained. "We just need one place where everyone can see what's happening, no matter which house they're at." And the Parkers? Their struggle was overload. "Between soccer practice, music lessons, tutoring, and social events, I feel like I need a full-time administrative assistant just to keep track of it all," Mrs. Parker shared. **What We Learned** 1. **Color coding isn't optional** – it's essential for quick visual scanning 2. **Conflict detection must be proactive** – families need warnings before double-booking happens 3. **Multi-household support** requires careful privacy and sharing controls 4. **Teenagers want autonomy** but parents need oversight 5. **Everyone needs mobile access** – no one sits at a computer to manage their family schedule **How We're Implementing These Insights** Our new calendar design includes: - **Automatic color assignment** for each family member - **Smart conflict detection** that suggests alternative times - **Flexible sharing permissions** for different family structures - **Age-appropriate access levels** that grow with your children - **Offline-first mobile experience** for busy parents on the go We're still learning, and we want to hear from you. What scheduling challenges is your family facing? What would make your calendar truly work for you?