How do you keep your children’s schedules together ?

It’s not easy. There’s a lot of juggling; but when my husband and I can’t manage, there’s always a friend we can turn to for help. I don’t like to ask for help too often, and when I do, I’m sure to return the favor. Parents need to support each other!

Do you use a particular day planner ?

No, I just use a very simple one that I picked up at an office supply store. I also make a lot of lists, and use sticky notes to remind myself of important events.

Do you own a blackberry?

No, but now that everyone else in my family is texting, I will have to upgrade to a cell phone that makes it easier for me to do so. I’m not in a rush, though, since I’m online much of the time anyway. It’s easier to catch me through email than it is by phone!

What is your most used ‘time saving tip’ when it comes to running your house?

I would have to say that it’s asking for help with daily tasks. My children help out a lot in the kitchen, and my husband does the laundry. Actually, my husband likes to cook as well.

If we all work together, it also saves more time, and makes activities, like cooking, so much more enjoyable.

Do you have a favourite quick meal for your family?

Sometimes, we’ll have tuna or turkey sandwiches if we’re really short on time, and sometimes we’ll even make breakfast items, like eggs or pancakes, for dinner.

I also like the idea of “make your own” taco or salad nights, which can be quick if you already have the ingredients. I recently wrote a post about family salad nights

My favorite quick breakfast is muffins (made ahead of time, of course), and you can find two of my favorite muffin recipes here.

Tell us the truth ? What would we find in your car right now ?

I don’t keep a lot in the passenger area, other than reading materials. You’re bound to find a children’s book or two, because I’m constantly at the library.

As for the trunk, it’s all about the sports equipment. There are fold up chairs, a basketball, a football, my son’s baseball bag, a first aid kit, etc… Oh, and I keep reusable shopping bags in there.

What advice would you give to other moms who feel the pressure of trying to be ‘super mom’?

I’ve been there, and eventually I came to realize that there is no such thing as a perfect mom. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.

I would say the most important thing is not to compare ourselves with anyone else. If we focus on being the best role models we can possibly be for our children, that’s really all we can ever ask of ourselves.

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

I’ve been working on my blog full-time for almost 7 months now, and I’d like to free up some of that time to work on other projects.

To reach this goal, I will devote certain days to different projects, and keep better track of the time I spend on each.

Dawn Morris is an accountant, a teacher, a parent, and an avid reader who has a passion for children’s literature. She started the blog, Moms Inspire Learning, in order to share her knowledge, and to inspire a love of learning and reading in people of all ages. Dawn also contributes to the free online magazine, Literacy Lava, and is a guest blogger at DreamBox K-2 Math.

You can read Dawn’s Tweets by following her.

Before you go check out This DeClutter and mom organization Resource. Click Here

I refused to give up on my 7am-730am mom time and the kids are all on board after 3 weeks of my consistent reminders that until the alarm goes off at 730 am no one is to get out of bed. Wondering what I do for half an hour ? I should be working out but no, I am curled up with a coffee reading a book.

My mom time results in needing to get six kids from bed to van in 45  minutes. I could give away all my secrets, but instead I will just share one. Quick breakfasts 101. Muffins. Muffins and more muffins with granola yogurt days in between. (ok I do actually make other quick breakfasts as well.)

Tomorrow morning the kids will be chowing down their daily fruit and veggie intake with mmmm Quick Moist Morning Glory Bran Muffins.

3 c. all purpose flour, sifted
2 c. unprocessed bran (actually 1 7/8 cup and 1/8 cup of flax meal)
2 c. dark brown sugar
4 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shredded coconut
Mix above ingredients in LARGE bowl

6 eggs
Whisk eggs in new bowl
1 c. vegetable oil
Whisk in oil

1.5 c. carrots, peeled and grated
1 cup fresh pineapple small cubes
1 green apple, peeled and grated
1/2 c. raisins (no rasions in here so Daryl will eat said muffin)
1/2 c. pecans, chopped coarse

Add to egg mixture

Pour wet ingredients into centre of dry ingredients and mix until moist.

Spoon into muffin tins (Lined with paper cups because no one like scrubbing muffin tins. Really I’d rather eat paper ;)

Bake at 375 for 25 minutes but check them at 18 minutes and make sure they aren’t done.

… because most likely your oven will be hotter then mine and then you will be setting the alarm off at some ungodly hour and wake all your kids. Resulting in cranky kids refusing to eat your muffins because

A. they are tired because you woke them up and
B. because burnt hockey puck morning muffins hold no glory:)

Look I actually took pictures – I love my new blackberry curve.

If you love the pottery that my non hockey puck muffin adorns be sure to check out the artists blog.