"Chilling Out" Tips

Mom's Multitasking Secrets: 10 Ways To Make the Most of Your Time

After a long day at work or school, there are only a few hours between the end of the day and the beginning of the next. You may find yourself juggling multiple tasks, especially if you have children and family to attend to. Here are ten ways to make your life easier.

1. Use A Planner:
   An electronic organizer is a must-have for anyone looking to multitask. They are relatively inexpensive and are useful for storing phone numbers, critical dates, school calendars, and appointments. Not least important, they have built-in alarms to help you remember key events.


2. Have a Cell Phone Handy:
   Stay in touch. Buy a hands-free device for you cell phone and you can make calls while cooking driving, doing laundry, etc.



3. Prioritize: Make a list of everything you have to do. Prioritize your chores and errands. On those really crazy days, it's important to distinguish what must get done from what is not indispensible. So, don't put too much pressure on yourself: If it's not absolutely necessary, put it off.



4. Concentrate on 5 Things : Pick 3-5 things you must accomplish that day. More than 5 will overwhelm you. And once you have finished these tasks, you will feel more accomplished.



5. Enlist Help: Spouses, in laws, parents and even kids can take over some of the responsibilities: send grandma to Costco for you, have your husband call the gardener, set up carpools with your kid's friends, and have the kids take out the garbage...



6. Live Online: Save a trip to the store, shop online and have your purchases delivered to your home. Many great deals can be found online from apparel to school items to electronics. Save a trip to the bank, pay your bills online.



7. Home Delivery: Several business, like take take restaurants, grocery stores, dry cleaners and pharmacies, have services that will either pick up and/or deliver your stuff to you, thus saving you a trip. (And this will save you gas too!)



8. Establish a Quick & Painless Homework Routine:
   If you have school aged children, get the homework done as early in the afternoon as possible. Spread out those books and get it out of your way (and theirs)!



9. Get Help in the Kitchen:
   Cooking dinner is time consuming and yet eating a healthy varied meal is vital to one's well- being. Most likely, there are several options for take-out food in your neighborhood - favor those that deliver. In addition, online companies such as Artiko, now deliver prepared foods nationwide directly to your home. Stock your freezer with healthy and quick-to-prepare meals, main dishes and side dishes so that you can put a healthy dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.



10. Give Yourself a Break:
    Stop at 8 or 9 pm and give yourself time to recharge. Do something that you enjoy, like exercising, watching a television program or calling a friend.