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		Get Organized Debbie Williams is an organizing strategist and founder of OrganizedTimes.com. She is the author of  "Common Sense Organizing" from Champion Press. Juggling Many Hats Question: My husband is in the navy and out to sea until September! I have 3 kids 19 months, 9 months, and 5 years. I work fulltime, and often find that I dont have much time for my kids or myself. How can I juggle some many hats at once? Michelle Answer:Dear Michelle, Taking care of three children is hard enough with two parents, much less one. The best advice I can give you is to delegate, delegate, delegate. Enlist family members to babysit, or barter with friends and neighbors for some babysitting time. Even if this is just once a week, it's amazing what you can accomplish in a short time when you have a plan in place. When the baby is napping, get the other two children to help Mommy do a "ten second tidy", cleaning up toys in the livingroom or playroom. Put on fun peppy music, arm the little housekeepers with feather dusters just their size (or tube socks on their arms) and get to it! Let them help you wipe off mirrors, dust low shelves, empty bathroom trashcans, and other simple tasks. I found when my son (now 5) was a toddler, I could either beat him or join him when it came to interruptions. I could embrace them, take a break, and be a kid for awhile playing with Legos or Playdoh, read him a story, or take a walk. It got us both out of the house and gave me a fresh perspective on whatever I was trying to work on (my home business, bill paying, and so forth). And instead of waiting for him to nap or go to bed at night before doing chores, it worked much easier for us both to do our chores together. Also, it gives kids the opportunity to see you working as a team, which they don't see if you're only cleaning and cooking when they're not around. Be sure to make time for yourself. Don't hesitate to have Quiet Time during naptime, rather than spending every moment cooking and cleaning. Try to keep meals simple and quick-- delegate washing, preparing, and arranging foods to your little Galloping Gourmets. Even 19-month-olds can wash fruit, spin a salad (wheeeeee!!!) or tear lettuce. Give your 5 year old a dull plastic knife for slicing bananas or cheese to make easy snacks. Prepackage snacks in ziploc bags and place them on a lower shelf for the kids to grab when you tell them it's snacktime. Let them help you and save time and your sanity while you're at it! Before long, September will be here and you'll have a sense of normalcy, until they grow a bit and the rules all change again! Good luck, Debbie Williams Also see: Ask Debbie your questions Recently answered questions More advice for finding work and family balance		Search BlueSuitMom.com Email this page to a friend    C a r e e r   C o r n e r • Join BlueSuitMom on   Facebook • In a Man's World • Professional Organizations • Company Seminars • Career Archive • Small Business Advice • Online Job Search • Entrepreneur's Corner • Sign Up For Our Newsletter Ask an Expert • Image Consultant • Career Coach • Work/Life Coach • Business Coach • Work at Home • Professional Organizer • Emotional Wellness • Business Advisor    C a r e e r   P o l l What is the most important benefit your employer can offer you? Flexible work hours Extended hours/shortened work week Job sharing Telecommuting On-site daycare Take home meals On site dry cleaning View results
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