It’s stressful isn’t it? Having to get all those things ready, trying not to forget anything, not to mention bickering kids, tantrums about what to wear or the sleepy head who doesn’t want to wake up. No, the morning rush isn’t any fun but luckily there are a few time management tips you can exercise to bring peace back into your family’s morning routine.

Prepare Ahead – Sounds simple enough but did you know you could actually leave just about everything ready for the next day?

It might take a few extra minutes out of your evening but you’ll be much faster if you prepare everything once the kids are asleep rather than rushing in the morning. 
 
Lay out the kids clothes for the next day - Include things like hair clips, socks and shoes. And don’t forget to lay out your clothes too.

Leave breakfast ready (or nearly ready) - Depending on what you have for breakfast you can often pre-prepare a lot of it. If you have pancakes make the batter the night before and stick it in the fridge. If you have cereal and toast, leave the cereal out, bowls, spoons and bread. You can even set the table to save time.

Pre-Pack Lunch Boxes - If your kids take a packed lunch to school prepare it the night before. Most things like sandwiches will be fine left in the fridge overnight.

Pack Their School Bags – Look through their bags and make sure there aren’t any last minute dates or events you’ve overlooked. Pack all their books and things in their bags and leave everything by the front door.

Get The Kids Involved – The responsibility of getting the kids to school shouldn’t completely lie on your shoulders. As soon as children are old enough to help out then they should. Even the youngest of kids can help.

Make a Chart – If your kids (like most kids) are forgetful, make a chart for each one which explains in order all the things they need to do in the morning. You can draw pictures for the really young ones and write a description for the older ones. For example, you can have a picture of a toothbrush, then the school clothes, hair brush, etc.

Talk to your kids about the list beforehand and explain it to them. Then stick it up in a prominent place in their rooms and the next time they ask you “mom, what do I do know?” tell them to go look at their list. This is a great way of getting kids a little more involved and to start teaching them responsibility.

By preparing ahead you can’t avoid all of your family’s morning stresses but it will certainly help a lot, and who knows you may even have time for that extra cup of coffee.

We all now how rushed our grocery shopping can be and usually we end up shopping, returning home, putting away our items and then realizing we forgot something.

Well the Sanity Saver is here with a few suggestions to try and make shopping an, organized adventure!

1. Get it on paper – As you use up the last of any item, write it down on a designated list under the name of the store where you would purchase the item. This will help you find what you need right away. Have this list handy so your family can add to it as the need presents itself.

2. Avoid making two trips – If at all possible, try and do most of your errands the same day you do your grocery shopping. Make sure you take that list along with you, so you can go on the errand run without forgetting anything.

3. Be prepared – When it is time to shop for your groceries, try and limit it to one day a week. Gather up the lists and any coupons you can use. Have a designated plastic folder or envelope to hold them all, and have it with you at all times. If you should unexpectedly stop at that particular store, you can use the coupon for the items you need.

4. Map it out – Make up a list of the aisles in the store, and the grocery items in each. You’ll be able to easily pick up the items on your shopping list aisle by aisle, instead of in a random, disorganized fashion. This will help you get in and out of the store in no time.

6. Get help from the older children – When you are shopping with older children, divide up the list and have them pick up items from the other aisles. If at all possible, leave the little ones at home. They almost always add to impulse shopping. Plus your focus then needs to be divided between the grocery shopping and making sure the kids aren’t pulling things off the shelves, or putting items you don’t wish to purchase in your cart.

7. Keep ‘em cool – Keep a bag or cooler in the trunk that can hold your perishable items. This will ensure no melted and leaky ice cream packages. Generally shop for groceries last when doing the errands–this way the frozen things won’t have a chance to melt.

Even if you only have a half a minute to spare, you can actually get some chores done! With a busy, overscheduled life we seldom have extra time to take care of anything. These quick chores will only take part of a moment of your time.

1. Empty the trash in the bathroom — Those small trash cans in our homes can sometimes be overlooked until they are overflowing. Make this chore easier and more quickly accomplished by storing extra liners in the bottom of the trash can. It will only take a moment to wrap up the used liner and open up the new one.

2. Dust the TV screen  - The television screen seems to always need a good dusting. Try a used dryer sheet to help keep dust from resettling.

3. Clean a mirror - Try using vinegar and newspaper to clean your mirror. The vinegar will help the mirror dry streak free. Newspaper will leave less fuzzy residue than paper towels.

4. Wipe down an appliance -  Take a moment and wipe down the outside of your dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, washing machine, or dryer. Don’t forget about the outward appearance of the machines you depend on. Wipe up spots and spills quickly, and your appliances will only need an occasional thorough wipe down.
 
5. Test your smoke alarm - Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced at least annually. Try testing the battery on the same day of the month to help you remember. 

On of my favorite Sanity Saver Topics is about dealing with stress. Stress plays a huge role in why a lot of moms are just tired, fed up and really feel like they are at their wits end.

Here are a few quick tips on how to deal with situations that commonly stress us all.

1. Organize yourself - Sit down with a notepad and pen, and list all your commitments. Write them into a spreadsheet if necessary. The sheet isn’t big enough? Maybe your load of commitments is. Prioritize the important and essential things in your life, and decide how much of you there is to spread around. And don’t forget to save some for yourself!

2. Avoid putting pressure on yourself – Don’t have unreasonable expectations for your life or career. When setting goals, take into account that Man’s best plans can often go awry. Don’t count yourself out as a failure if you’re behind schedule. Remain dedicated to your plans, while remembering that all things take time, and may require adjusting of the outcome or approach.

3. Remove yourself from confrontations - Kids or co-workers, the principle is the same. When your stress is at the point where you cannot be coherent, or deal with the other person, no matter how big or small in a reasonable manner, then you need a break to cool off. Explain that to your child, regardless of how young they are. Toddlers will be reassured that you still love them, and older children will gain an appreciation of the stresses of parenting, if you simply say that Mom is tired, and needs to think about this and come back to it when she’s calmer.

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