Are you getting started homeschooling or just feeling overwhelmed? How do all those "other moms" do it? The following tips have come from various homeschooling parents I have met at conferences over the years.

• Wake up early to start the day off right.
• Prepare your day the night before.
• Try always to get a good night's sleep. This means making sure that everyone else gets good sleep, too.
• Write out your schedule in broad terms; don't be too restrictive or it will drive you crazy. Build in some catch-up time.
• Post the family schedule for everyone to see.
• Have some flexibility and be ready for changes.
• Take some time to get your systems set up properly.
• Set up a permanent area for creating material and have good storage for materials not in use.
• Keep adequate supplies of the things you use a lot so you aren't running out at the last minute.
• Schedule in time for projects, field trips and free time!
• Start off labeling everything well at the start. Get some good binders and some bins.
• Keep frequently used materials close at hand.
• Carry a notebook with you for ideas, wordlists, things to look up and questions.
• Use the internet for free resources. Subscribe to ClickSchooling!
• Restrict television and video game time - for yourself as well (TV is big time stealer).
• Whenever possible, include your children - turn your daily activities into learning activities.
• Blend reading, math and problem solving into your daily activities (meal preparation, books, errands, clean-up).
• Don't be a perfectionist or you won't be able to keep up!
• Your house does not have to be perfect!
• Get help wherever you can!
• Make the household chores part of your children's daily routine.
• Eat well and stay fit - you'll need the extra energy!
• Find homeschooling friends to plan events together or to take turns for subjects or fields trips to give you a break.
• Attend an annual homeschooling conference, subscribe to a homeschooling ezine and join a group for ongoing motivation.
• Chill! You can't do everything, so have fun and make every moment quality time.

For more ideas on ways to organize your life visit our guide on Organization and Balance.