The Maxie Blog
Notes for busy UK parents on family organisation, the mental load, and getting through the school year with your sanity intact.
The Summer Holiday Mental Load and How to Share It
The summer holidays cram a year of family planning into six weeks, and it lands on one parent. Here's what that load is made of, and how to share it.
How Separated Parents Stay on Top of School Information
Both parents are usually entitled to the same school information after separation. Here's what you're entitled to, and how to make it actually work.
What to Do When Childcare Falls Through in the Holidays
Childcare plans fall through. Here's what you're legally entitled to, who to call first, and how to build a backup network that works when you need it.
How to Plan a Summer Holiday Childcare Rota That Works
Six weeks of school holidays and one parent's memory isn't a childcare plan. Here's how to build a rota that covers the gap and actually holds.
Why Is Summer Holiday Childcare So Hard for Working Parents?
Most working mums don't have enough summer holiday childcare. Here's why the gap exists, what it actually costs, and who ends up covering it.
How UK Parents Can Stop Missing School Deadlines for Good
UK parents juggle permission slips, payments and application dates across a dozen channels. Here's the simple system that catches every school deadline.
How to Set Up a Shared Family Calendar on iPhone and Google
Set up a shared family calendar on iPhone or Google with our step-by-step guide, plus what to do when grandparents and co-parents are in the mix.
Best Family Organiser Apps 2026: Maxie vs Cozi vs FamilyWall
A head-to-head comparison of Maxie, Cozi and FamilyWall's calendars, reminders and mental-load tools, to help you pick the right family organiser.
What Is a Family Planner and Which Type Works Best?
A practical guide to family planners in 2026 - what to include, and how to choose between paper, a wall planner or an app for how your family runs.
How to Explain the Mental Load to Your Partner and Be Heard
Original research from UK parents reveals why the mental load is so hard to explain, and how to start the conversation without it turning into a row.
How to Manage a School Calendar and Keep Everyone Informed
A simple system for managing your family's school calendar so nothing gets missed - how to capture dates and keep parents and caregivers up to date.
The Best Family Calendar Apps for UK Parents in 2026
An honest 2026 review of the best family calendar apps for UK parents - and which to pick based on the problem you're actually trying to solve.
School Email Overload: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Why UK parents are overwhelmed by school emails, newsletters and WhatsApp groups - and how to cut the noise so the right messages get through.
UK School Calendar Explained: Terms, Holidays and INSET Days
A clear guide to how the UK school year works - terms, half-terms, holidays and INSET days - plus why dates vary and how to keep every caregiver informed.
From Paper to Digital: UK Family Command Centres in 2026
UK families have always built coordination hubs at home. Here's why physical family command centres are struggling in 2026, and what's replacing them.
UK Back to School Planning: Checklist and Timeline
Week-by-week back to school checklist for UK parents - uniforms, supplies, routines and first-day logistics, so you enjoy the rest of summer.
UK Family Organisation 2026: How Modern Families Manage
Hybrid working, school comms overload and AI are reshaping UK family life. Here's what's actually working for UK families in 2026 - and what isn't.