How do you keep your children’s schedules together ?
I don’t overload my children with activities. If there is an activity they want to join (dance, etc) then that is fine. However, my belief is that concentrating on doing well in school and creative play at home are the best way to raise a child. I’m probably not going to be popular in saying that, but I see too many children “overscheduled”.

I like to eat dinner together every night. If there are activities, parties and other events going on, I just keep everything up on the family calendar (right on the refrigerator) so everyone knows what’s going on.

Do you use a particular day planner ? I used to. Then I’d leave it in my car and fall asleep before I could go out and get it.

Do you own a blackberry? Yes! I’ve had a BB for three years now. I went two months without it to test my endurance. I won’t do that again.

What is you most used ‘time saving tip’ when it comes to running your house?
I believe in doing the same routine every day. My children actually help me save time. They all have to put their things away after school, set the table for dinner, clear the dishes, etc. So, the biggest time saving tip has been for me to teach my children to help out. I rarely have to tell anyone to put away shoes or throw their laundry in the hamper. It becomes routine when everything has a time and place.

Do you have a favourite quick meal for your family? Yes. It’s a really basic recipe and dinner is ready in 15 minutes. Home made macaroni and a wayyyyyy lot of cheese, salad and fruit.

Tell us the truth ? What would we find in your car right now ?
My car is always clean in the passenger area. I’m just a little uptight about that. I don’t allow food unless we’re on a road trip or it’s really early and we’re heading somewhere when breakfast at home is impossible. I don’t like a car that looks like a basement. However, check in my trunk and you’ll find a case of bottled water, 3 sand buckets, 4 shovels, a bottle of Febreze, baby wipes (I don’t have babies but these are great to have!), a box of trash bags (hey, you never know how handy they can be!), my last pair of crutches and four different knee braces. I’ve had three surgeries in the past 18 months. Life is unpredictable. I need to be prepared.

What advice would you give to other moms who feel the pressure of trying to be ‘super mom’?
It’s overrated. We are humans and we mess up. I didn’t get an instruction book and I have been a single Mom for the past eight years. I just wing it and when something works, I stick with it. I don’t pretend to be great at what I do. I just enjoy my children and have fun.

What is your number one goal for the year ? How do you plan to reach it ?

My initial thought was to tell you that I want to become a blogger on the Huffington Post. However, that’s a goal that is secondary to something far more important. I want to learn how to climb and descend stairs normally. I haven’t been able to do that since 2007. I am not positive how I am going to achieve the goal…more than likely a combination of more physical therapy and will power.

Cheryl Phillips is a single mother of five, freelance writer, blogger and social media addict who realized that Twitter was created so that she would stop being so long-winded. Her blog, The Daily Blonde, is a commentary of life without sugarcoating. Cheryl is passionate about combiningTwitter and other forms of social media to help grow small business.

This summer I plan on taking the kids for a few camping trips (OK not real camping but the resort type where you have real washrooms and a swimming pool), and I started looking online for some new game ideas. I was wondering if I could find some of the board games I use to play as a child. A way to relive my childhood summer memories while helping my children create new ones.

I found this great shopping site that lists classic toys . I had never seen a wikki list for toys like this. I shop on ebay and a lot of online stores but I have bookmarked this one for Christmas shopping. Especially the Skatboard section. Finding toys for my ‘in between’ son can be hard and his birthday is coming up. I refuse to buy anymore video games.   I hear  dolls and doll houses are a no fail Christmas gift for little girls. . . . . .

Speaking of skateboards, if you haven’t yet, consider getting a skateboard rack for your sons. This is a great way to get them up off the floor and display their boards on the wall.

So I have managed to go from planning for summer vacation to starting to plan for Christmas. I wonder if there is a date in which you must start Christmas shopping in order to be officially an ‘organized mom’ ? Mind you with the current economic state it would be a good idea to start spreading out my Christmas shopping to ensure I am not over extending my budget at Christmas.  I can not believe I just went from summer holidays to Christmas!

Come to think of it, I should go out and buy some of those summer toys, that would make a unique Christmas gift ! You don’t see them out at Christmas time.

Moms need sleep

I was reading a blog written by Karlana this morning where she talks about restless sleeps and a hard time shutting off her mind at night.

When I get into a ‘to do’ frame of mind (which often reminds me of those days of nesting as a soon to be new mom), I have a hard time shutting off my brain at night as well. Leaving this mom tired and grumpy in the morning.

My tips for moms needing to fall asleep faster:

• Turn off all TV’s off in the house by 9:00
• Create a calm environment with more lights off (energy saving too ;) and calming music.
• Keep your bedroom tidy and a place of sleep.
• Turn your computer off at least one hour before heading to bed.
• Write a mom to do list each night before bed so you are not worrying about what you will forget the next day.
• Go to sleep when you feel tired and learn your natural sleep rhythm. Some people only require 6 hours of sleep others (like me) need at least 8 to function coherently the next day. Not getting enough sleep will reduce your productivity the next day.

Until tomorrow …. the almost always Organized Mom

I have been slowed down with a cold this week yet it looks as though we are still on our timeline to reach a goal of Re Launching all the printable tools and calendars for busy moms for April 1st.

You may see that the printable tools already uploaded will be off line as I change them from page posts to blog posts which will allow them to be catagorized and more easily searched.

As of now we have the following topics;

Monday:

So let us know what you would like to see featured on a regular basis and we will try and incorporate your ideas.

It’s 1 am and before I sign off for the evening a quick update on our progress towards our site Re-Launch.

Our CMS is up and running, the plugins installed today and graphics up.

Expect to see our chore charts uploaded this week. Be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter to be informed when all our free printables are back up on the new website.

Our Re-Launch date is April 1 2008

The site has undertaken a few twists and turns and last year I attempted to launch an online organizer/planner for parents with the help of a contracted programmer. The year has brought many changes and it is with renewed enthusiasm that I am working on a plan for a new direction at Organizedfamilies.com .

I look forward to bringing back the resources inspired by a busy mom for busy moms along with humour and real life posts to remind you all that super mom really only exists on the other side of the door. Inspiration to help you make it through your day, goal setting, parenting resources for our busy lifes, children, and families.

Tips and trick to help you save seconds, minutes, and hours because just like that savings account at the bank, every penny counts!

Our new template should be up and running in time for the site to re launch officially April 1st 2008 ( Yes April fools day!)

I have decided to blog through the next few weeks to remind you all that Organized Families really is run by a busy mom with three children ! This way you can see all the hard work and tears put into the relaunch.

Welcome back moms, parents, and families …

Organized Families – Resources for busy families will relaunch April 1 2o08.