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Organization and time management are essential for busy parents. It is impossible to keep up with a busy schedule and all that a child requires without a few tools and tips. Below are my tips on how to stay organized, manage your time, and even though you are busy, be a wonderful parent to your children.

1. Buy a day planner. Keep all of your appointments in one place, for you, your spouse, and your children. This way you won't be left wondering when the dentist appointment is because its on the calendar at home, but you're at work and the boss is requesting overtime. You are more likely to over book yourself when you do not have accurate information at your finger tips.

2. Keep updated. If there are 2 adults, or older children in your home, be sure to update each other at least once a week. Sit while cooking dinner and have everyone gather up their calendars. Make notes of your children's projects that are due, their soccer game, and have them note if you are planning on working late or have a commitment that will take you away from them. Make sure that you and your spouse are updated and know who is picking up which children and where.

3. Set priorities. You may have to choose between attending a soccer game this week, and working overtime to get the boss's project done. You should set up your own personal guidelines that you want to follow. Make a list of your priorities. If your goal is to attend one soccer game per month, then miss this one but make sure that you remain within your goal and attend the game the following week. Write it in your calendar that you need to be at the game the following week, and if some other task comes up, schedule it for another day or decline.

4. Learn to say no. I have a hard time with this one myself, but it has to be done. There is going to be a time when your child wants to join another club, play another sport, or take another after school class. Your boss would like you to work 24/7, work at night from home, and travel to Timbucktoo this week to do a presentation. You have to follow your priorities above and learn that saying no sometime has to happen. This goes for helping out friends or other volunteer activities as well. Although you may love to help at your local food bank once per week, maybe you need to cut down to every other week, or see if this is something that the entire family can be involved in together. Learn that it is okay to say no, or ask for a different deadline.

5. Make lists. Nothing is worse than shopping

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