No matter how hard you strive to keep your household organized, there¿¿¿s always a mom who has more children or works longer hours  -- or both  -- and still has empty laundry baskets, toy-free carpets, and kids who (gasp) do chores without being begged. How the heck does she do it? Here, a few highly efficient moms divulge their secrets.

1. They know discipline saves time. Angie Gerrard of Natick, Massachusetts, chooses her words carefully with her two kids. ¿¿¿If my 2-year-old takes off her socks when we¿¿¿re out and I tell her we¿¿¿re going home unless she puts them back on, then I take her home if she doesn¿¿¿t put them on.¿¿¿ A few experiences like these, says Gerrard, and your child knows you mean what you say and behaves accordingly. ¿¿¿You save yourself so much time when you make good on your threats.¿¿¿

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