| The reality is being a single mom or dad is a tough job. | | | | The clothes will be clean, although maybe a little |
| Trying to juggle the roles of two parents each day | | | | wrinkled, and you can head out the door that much |
| can be exhausting, frustrating and overwhelming. | | | | faster. |
| Getting organized is one way to minimize the amount | | | | - Review your schedule every morning and evening. |
| of work and run a more streamlined, calmer household. | | | | Make modifications for things that may come up |
| Try some of the tips listed below and before you | | | | unexpectedly. |
| know it you will be less stressed, more focused and | | | | - Schedule a specific time to answer your email. |
| able to spend more quality time with your kids! | | | | - Clean your house and do laundry every day, instead |
| - Time your phone calls. How many times have you | | | | of once a week. It is much easier to throw a load of |
| spent hours chatting on the phone, only to hang up and | | | | laundry in while watching TV in the evening than to be |
| realize that you don't have time to do what you | | | | overwhelmed with tons of it on the weekend. Assign a |
| wanted to do? Set a timer by the phone. When it rings, | | | | cleaning task each day, such as: Monday, bathrooms, |
| politely tell the caller that you must hang up. You feel | | | | Tuesday, vacuum, Thursday, kitchen, etc. By breaking |
| more in control and have more time to accomplish | | | | down the big tasks you will be less overwhelmed and |
| your goals. | | | | your house will be a lot cleaner! |
| - Clean out your kids' book bags once a week. Take | | | | Give those kids some chores! Even a young child can |
| school notices and put them in a folder. At that | | | | help fold laundry and clear the dinner dishes from the |
| moment go through the folder and throw out anything | | | | table. Have your family help out; after all they live there |
| that does not need to be answered. Take action on all | | | | too! |
| the other letters and write those checks to the PTA | | | | - Be ruthless with your time! Try scheduling one hour a |
| and book club now before you forget! | | | | day for focus time: your time to decide on what is |
| - Set your kids' clothes out every night for school the | | | | important to you. |
| next day.If you have very young children you can | | | | - And remember to reward yourself. It can be anything, |
| save time by dressing them in their school clothes | | | | big or small, that refreshes you and that you enjoy. |
| after the evening bath and letting them sleep in them. | | | | |