Attention busy moms, here are the top 5 things to do once you know you're home for the night—and do them right away before you're too tired!

• Change …now!
  Why wait until bedtime to get comfy? How many nights do you hang around in constricting pants and unforgiving jeans? Put the day behind you once you know there are no more errands or places to go, and you'll feel like it's a Sunday morning every night of the week!
• Wash your face … now!
  We're all guilty of it: the day wears on, you've zoned out in front of the TV, and now you can barely muster the energy to get yourself to bed—never mind remove the day's makeup and grime. Once you've changed, treat your face to the cleansing, toning, and moisturizing it craves, and even take out your contacts to let your eyes breathe for the night.
• Throw in a load of laundry.
  Wash it now, dry it tomorrow, fold it whenever. Break the minutiae into doable tasks, and that mountain of clothes won't seem so daunting.
• What not to wear???
  Take the guesswork out of your morning closet showdown by deciding what or what not to wear by bedtime. Check your computer or the evening news for tomorrow's forecast, and set out the appropriate ensemble based on the weather report. Chilly? Go for the twinset and pants. Rainy? Forget that new silk blouse you just had to have and are dying to wear. Sweltering? Go against the grain and select something black and flouncy. Just because it's summer doesn't mean you need to look like you're headed for the beach.
• It's not too early (or late!) to think about breakfast.
  Whether you use a single-cup coffeemaker or brew a whole pot, line up your mug and everything else you need to jumpstart the day. If you know you'll be rushed, place a protein-fortified cereal bar nearby, and you can eat breakfast on the fly while feeding the dog, checking the calendar, and throwing last night's wash into the dryer!

Diane Carlton is a regular contributor to HealthyWomen.org. As a full-time writer and mother of three children, she spends her days trying to get it all done...and finding the time to blog about it. Check back often to read real-life stories from the trenches of ay busy mother and maybe take away a well intentioned tip or two.