As the new year gets into full swing,  the holidays come to an end, little ones start out at playgroups, kindergarten, schools or high school (or in my case all of the above), we start thinking about the organised and smooth sailing ship we are going to steer out of the somewhat bumpy and treacherous conditions of years or months gone by.

I have recently had quite a few emails asking me how I manage to stay organised, remain appear in control and fit everything in, whist keeping a busy household of 7 ticking along.

Firstly let me say, it is not always organised (teachers reading this will know I have lost the odd excursion notice or forgotten the time of a training session) and I am not always completely calm and in control (my kids will vouch for this).  I do think however, to get through many of the things I set out for myself, time and experience have taught me a thing or two about keeping it all moving along with minimal stress.

To help remind myself, and to help any of you a little apprehensive about how to tackle the year ahead, I have outlined some of the things I attempt to do regularly to ensure a greater chance of remaining sane and relatively calm whilst still achieving all some of what I need.

Morning Walk/Exercise

Luckily for me, I am able to get up early before the rest of the house and go on a quick walk before my husband leaves for work. This is the time I go over in my head what needs to be accomplished that day and the order I will do it all in (obviously this needs to be flexible however, as things often change at the last minute….kids needs to be picked up from school with a bump to the head, one falls asleep just when you were going to do the groceries etc). Trying to get some form of exercise at any time however is important not just for physical health but for a bit of ‘me’ time too. [Read more...]