* Don’t forget to consider your travel time, prep time, clean up time, waiting time.

* Make adjustments when you have to, you can’t be everywhere at once.

* The goal is to get it done, not make it perfect.

* Keep it simple, give two choices instead of asking “what do you want ____”.

* Set limits on things like television, video games, and phone chatter … for everyone in the household. Eliminates arguing and gets everyone doing other things.

* Deal with things as they happen, (the mail came, sort it now instead of waiting until later - also eliminates clutter that you would have to clean up later).

* Follow routines and schedules, such as getting up at the same time and leaving at the same time daily…create a pattern/routine get home, do your homework, 30 minutes to watch tv/play game/read, dinner, get a bath, quiet time, bedtime.

* Plan ahead for holidays and weekends with activities and things to do. These are the most chaotic times, even if you do something spontaneous instead at least you had a plan ready! You can always use the plan for the following weekend.

* Get involved in a car pool to get kids where they need to go, school, soccer, baseball, football … sharing these tasks save you and someone else time and gas money!

* Give everyone their own alarm clock instead of being the “mom clock” and explain the consequences of not being up and ready to leave on time.

* Minimize distractions (putting video games and televisions in cabinets that close does wonders in a household).