Working mom’s tips to take control of mornings

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 75 percent of all mothers are employed, and as most working moms would agree, balancing the demands of home and office is no simple task. In fact, these women concur that the toughest job they ever had was being a mom.

Connie Colla, CN8 “Your Morning” host and managing editor, is a mother of two whose day begins before the sun even rises. Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Colla hosts a three-hour live television show. This job demands her to arrive in studio at 5 a.m., research all top news stories that happened overnight, manage her staff of 14, and prepare to deliver news and lifestyle stories to almost nine million homes, across 13 states from Maine to Virginia, and in Washington.

Before even arriving in studio, Colla must conquer a hectic morning schedule to prepare her family for the day, while making sure she gets out the front door on time. Every second counts, so Colla has come up with a few easy ways to maximize her morning routine:

1. Tap Into Technology – Find a reliable PDA. They store hundreds of contacts and act as a daily appointment book; contains details on important meetings; sends reminders of important events; and alert you of at-home needs such as picking up dog food on the way home from work.

2. Avoid Fashion Emergencies – Preventing last-minute clothing crises is a must, so set aside time Sunday night to pick out a week’s worth of clothing, from shirts to shoes and even accessories. It will save you a lot of time in the morning, and help you avoid any unnecessary fashion faux pas.

3. Do Today, Done Tomorrow – Waking up to a long list of things to do can give you the sense that you’re playing catch-up right from the start of your day. Create a ritual to make mornings easier, including loading the washer, folding the clothes in the dryer, filling the coffee pot, packing lunches and placing school bags, shoes and coats by the door.

4. The List – Create a household “Needs List” and keep it in an easy-access location, like the kitchen. Any time an empty milk carton is thrown out, or laundry detergent is emptied or shampoo is down to the last lather, the family member who finishes it off must add it to the list. At the end of the week, grab the list and heads to the store.

5. Stay Ahead of the Clock – Set your alarm clock 15 minutes ahead and when that buzzer goes off, don’t hit the snooze! Get up and get going. This mental trick will get you out of bed with some precious time for you. Stretch, meditate, take a few more minutes in the shower. Or, just know that since you’re awake ahead of schedule you won’t spend your morning tearing around in a panic.