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Using the Zawly Shared Calendar

Navigate months, view events, and keep everyone in sync with Zawly's family calendar. Complete guide to calendar features.

Using the Zawly Shared Calendar

The shared family calendar is the heart of Zawly. It shows everyone in your family what is happening, from school pickups to work trips, all in one place that updates instantly for every member.

Why a Shared Calendar Changes Everything

Before using a shared calendar app, most families rely on:

  • Text messages: "Don't forget Sam has football at 4"
  • Sticky notes: constantly falling off the fridge
  • Memory: "Did I tell you about the dentist appointment?"

With Zawly, there's one source of truth. Add it once, everyone sees it.

Navigating the Calendar

The calendar interface is designed to be intuitive for all ages:

Month Navigation

  • Use the month selector at the top to jump to any month (past or future)
  • Click the left/right arrows to move backward or forward one month
  • Today's date is always highlighted for quick orientation

Viewing Events

  • Click on any date to see all events for that day
  • Events show the title, time, and any notes you added
  • Click on an event itself to view full details or make changes

Adding Events

Adding to your family calendar takes seconds:

  1. Click on any date in the calendar
  2. Fill in the event details:
    • Title: Be specific — "School Pickup — 3:15 PM" not just "School"
    • Start time and End time: Helps family members plan around it
    • All Day: Toggle on for holidays, full-day events
    • Notes: Add useful details like "Bring swimming kit" or "Conference Room B"
  3. Set Recurrence if it happens regularly (see our recurring events guide)
  4. Click Save — everyone in your family sees it immediately

Editing and Deleting Events

Things change. Here's how to handle it:

Editing an Event

  1. Click on the event
  2. Choose Edit
  3. Make your changes (time, title, notes, recurrence)
  4. Click Save — updates for everyone instantly

Deleting an Event

  1. Click on the event
  2. Choose Delete
  3. Choose Delete This Occurrence (for recurring events) or Delete Series
  4. Confirm — it's removed from everyone's calendar

Holiday Integration

One of Zawly's most loved features is public holiday integration:

  • When setting up your family, select your country
  • Bank holidays, school holidays, and public holidays appear automatically
  • Holidays show in a distinct style so you can tell them apart
  • Helpful for planning around school breaks and national holidays

Modifying Holiday Display

Holidays are automatically added based on your family's country setting. They appear as all-day events and can't be edited (they're fixed dates), but they help you:

  • Avoid booking appointments on bank holidays
  • Plan family trips during school breaks
  • Know when shops and services might be closed

Colour-Coding and Visual Organisation

While Zawly keeps things simple, events are easy to scan:

  • Time-based: Morning, afternoon, and evening events are listed chronologically
  • Recurring events: Marked with a repeat indicator
  • All-day events: Span the full date for easy spotting

Keeping Everyone in Sync

Because the calendar is truly shared:

  • No need to send calendar invites or forward emails
  • Add it once and every family member sees it
  • Changes appear instantly — no sync delays
  • Works on phones, tablets, and computers

Calendar Best Practices

1. Be Specific with Titles

  • ❌ "School"
  • ✅ "School Drop-off 8:15 AM — Main Gate"

2. Use Notes for Extra Context

  • "Bring signed permission slip"
  • "Pick up Sam too — he's staying for tea"
  • "Remember to pack football kit"

3. Check the Calendar Daily

Make it a habit (especially for kids):

  • Check tonight for tomorrow's events
  • Look at the week ahead every Sunday
  • Scan the month for upcoming holidays or busy periods

4. Don't Overload the Calendar

Not everything needs to be an event:

  • Daily routines (brushing teeth) — these are life, not calendar items
  • One-off reminders — use your phone's reminder app
  • Things that don't involve multiple people — keep it for shared family life

Common Calendar Questions

"My event isn't showing for other family members"

  • Make sure they've accepted their invitation and are part of the family
  • Refresh their calendar page
  • Check you clicked "Save" after creating the event

"Can I see past events?"

  • Yes! Use the month selector to go back to any month
  • Past events remain visible for reference

"How do I handle recurring events that change?"

  • Edit the series to update all future occurrences
  • Or edit just one occurrence to handle one-off changes

"Can I print my calendar?"

  • Currently, Zawly is designed for digital use
  • You can take screenshots of specific months if needed
  • A print/export feature is being considered for future updates

Combining Calendar with Expenses

Zawly's strength is linking calendar and finances:

  • Calendar shows when things happen
  • Expenses show what they cost
  • Dashboard brings both together

For example:

  • "Swimming Lessons" on calendar (Tuesday 4 PM)
  • "Swimming Lessons — £40" in expenses (monthly category)
  • Dashboard shows both the time commitment and financial impact

Tips for Different Age Groups

For Young Children (5-10)

  • Show them the calendar night before
  • Point out their events (school, activities)
  • Use simple language: "Swimming tomorrow at 4"

For Pre-Teens (11-13)

  • Encourage them to check it themselves
  • Let them add their own events (friends' birthdays, activities)
  • Teach them to read times and plan ahead

For Teenagers (14+)

  • They should be fully independent with the calendar
  • They can add work shifts, social events, study sessions
  • They can edit their own events as things change

For Adults

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I share my calendar with people outside my family? A: Currently, Zawly is designed for private family groups. Only invited family members can see your calendar. For external sharing, you could take screenshots of specific dates.

Q: What happens if I delete my account? A: You can delete your account at any time. Your personal data is removed. Events and expenses you created may remain visible to other family members.

Q: Can I have multiple families (co-parenting situation)? A: Each Zawly account is linked to one family. For co-parenting, you'd need separate accounts for each family workspace.

Q: Is there a mobile app to download? A: Zawly runs in your web browser on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. No download needed, and it works beautifully on mobile.

Q: Can I set reminders for events? A: Currently, Zawly shows events on the calendar but doesn't send reminder notifications. Your device's built-in calendar or alarm can be used alongside Zawly for time-specific reminders.

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