Technology and Task Boxes

4. Make technology work for you. Try a new way to track your families' activities, such as the Simpliciti Home Organizer, an easy-to-use family digital assistant (www.simpliciti.com or call 800-732-8091). "It allows you to keep track of schedules for up to five family members," says Donna Smallin, author of The One-Minute Organizer Plain and Simple. "If kids are old enough they can enter their own information, like soccer practice or a birthday party. You can add helpful detailed notes too, like directions. It also has a little printer so you can print out your grocery list once you're ready to go to the store."

The organizer also doubles as a timer, stores phone numbers, and includes 500 built-in recipes. Handheld electronic organizers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) are another great way to keep track of family activities and schedules. You can beam schedule information to another member of the family just by pointing your PDA at theirs. Some new smart phones also offer the functionality of a PDA. "You can do everything with your cell phone, connect to the Internet, keep track of addresses and your calendar," says Smallin, whose Web site is www.unclutter.com. "It's very easy to set up."

Other options include Yahoo!, which offers a free calendar tool that lets you share your schedules, find free times, and send appointment reminders. A password enables family members to access it from anywhere. "Being able to see everyone else's schedule at a glance helps avoid scheduling conflicts," says Smallin. Software such as Outlook, Act, or Goldmine comes with a calendar that can also be programmed with reminders for appointments, birthdays, and regular household maintenance, such as an oil change for your car or to check smoke detector batteries.

5. Create a task box. Get a pack of index cards and on each one write down one thing that needs to be done around the house, such as "wash dishes," "fold clothes," or "load the dishwasher," suggests Gracia, whose Web site is www.getorganizednow.com.

"Each day, have each family member draw an equal number of cards. Those are the chores they are responsible for that day," she says. If someone wants to swap chores, that's okay as long as both parties are agreeable. "It varies your routine a little bit and makes it fun for the kids." Adding point values boosts the enjoyment factor. "You designate, say, taking out the trash at 10 points and once they reach 60 points, they get a treat like a trip to the movies with a friend."

It's important to gear chores to abilities. For example, older kids can help with vacuuming, while a 3-year-old can pick up her toys. To reward the family for jobs well done, once a week, start a no-chore day and have a family outing, a barbecue, or picnic instead. It helps everyone stay motivated.