Being organized is not necessarily easy for all of us. Just because you now have the title “mom” doesn’t mean that with a snap of a finger your behavior, daily routine, and knowledge of what to do (and when to do it) becomes automatic.

It is assumed that when you become a mother, “instinct” kicks in and you know what and how to handle all your new responsibilities. This is not true. Not everyone has these “natural” talents. Even when you get past the sleepless nights and your schedule is somewhat regular, there can still be big difficulties. I have seen this first hand.

Responsibilities change drastically when a new baby is brought into the home. It’s a continual change as they move on, then become toddlers, enter school, start homework, and so on until they reach adulthood. And usually about two years after you’ve started to hold on to the process of being a “mom,” you’re given another gift to nurture, nurture, and be responsible. To help with this process, I recommend my two basic daily steps that you can use to help. These two simple and easy steps will help relieve stress, overwhelm and chaos. Keep your sanity in check by following these steps to ensure a smooth progression of your morning routine and continue it into the night.

• Establish a daily schedule for you and your family. Take a look at your week on Sunday night. What activities are scheduled for this week? How many days are required for football, dance or other activities? What school projects are due this week? Know what tests are scheduled for this week, because you will probably need to spend time studying with your child. Are you the only person who knows this schedule? Do you have responsibility for managing the schedule or is your spouse involved? If your spouse isn’t involved, they should be. This can easily be accomplished by hosting a family gathering on Sunday night (15 minutes of your time) or by posting a family calendar in an auspicious location.
• Set limits. Don’t let yourself (or your spouse) get too involved in extra outside activities. Know what your schedule will allow you to handle and don’t feel like you have to step in and protect the world. If you’re asked to step up and help with a school project, volunteer project, or whatever, think about how you’ll feel if you take on this responsibility. Are you going to feel joyful, excited and happy about taking on this project or will it stress you out? How does your energy feel as you think about this project? Does your head hurt? Does your body feel tense? Is it within your capacity to handle this project right now or will it overwhelm you? Don’t take on more than you can handle. You’re not a bad person if you say you know. You are the exact opposite. Knowing your own limitations will help you stay on track and keep your sanity in check.