Organization tips for busy moms

Organization Tip 1: Organize on the phone

Get a smart phone. What makes it so smart? It consolidates your phone, calendar, address book, music, email, shopping lists and more. Sure, it's going to be expensive, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Basically, a smart phone is like a second brain.

Mom tip: Top 5 technology must-haves to organize busy families >>

Organization tip 2: Organize as a family

We get that it's normally Mom who organizes the family calendar, but here's a tip: With so many shared calendar platforms online, there's really no reason why you can't share the responsibility of organizing the family calendar with the entire family. Everyone can plug in dates, appointments and reminders in the family calendar program. It will alert each family member of her schedule, relieving you of your duty of human Post-It note and helping everyone stay more organized. Google Calendar offers an easy way to organize your family schedule online, but typing "free online calendar program" into any search engine will yield several options. Give a few family calendars a test and see what program suits your organization style best.

Mom tips: 10 favorite organizers & calendars for moms and Real moms share their organization tips >>

Organization tip 3: Organize the rules

No amount of planning and organizing is going to matter if last-minute wrenches are thrown into your perfectly organized plans. And with a large family, the last minute can sometimes seem like the only time anything gets done. Announce a few new organization rules to your family:

• Let your kids know that, if they need a ride somewhere, they have to get it on your calendar at least 24 hours in advance.
• Ask your husband to mark his business trips two weeks before taking off. When you have a firm sense of your time, you'll be better able to organize it.

Mom tip: How to juggle the family schedule >>

Organization tip 4: Find time to organize

Unless you're a rare bread of Super Mom, organization isn't your favorite hobby. So, if you're going to organize, you need to organize some time for you to organize. Got it? Make a conscious effort to set aside a chunk of time weekly to get your life organized: catch up on the calendar, schedule upcoming doctor's appointments, plan a grocery list, etc.

Mom tip: How to wow others with your organization skills >>

Here's to taking a few easy steps that will save you a million steps down the road. You know how Grandma always said a stitch in time saves nine? Now we all know what that means.

How to organize your family and home

Freshen up with the family

Cleaning your home can seem like a daunting task, but it is much easier and more enjoyable when the whole family gets involved. SheKnows offers easy ways to organize, assign, involve and reward your family for cleaning.

More ways to get organized:

• Inexpensive decorating and organization solutions for your home
• 5 Simple organization changes you can make today
• How to wow others with your organization skills