How to be an Amazing Mum When You Just Don't Have the Time

by Tanith Carey. Lion Publishing. 192 pages. $21.99.

Shortcuts are every working mother's best friend and Tanith Carey's guide for time-starved mums is full of them.

Some of the tips, like buying several pairs of socks in the same colour so you don't have to hunt around for a matching pair, I really liked, but others, like dressing your kids in several layers of clothes so that each time they dirty one you just whip it off, I didn't. Not because it didn't have merit, but I'd have to dress my boys in about five layers and that's not practical in a New Zealand summer.

Some tips I already follow, like putting presents in gift bags instead of wrapping them, but others, like buying presents in bulk when they are on special, are good ideas to save time in the future, especially when you know you'll have several age-group birthday parties to go to.

It's full of sanity-saving advice about heading off tantrums before they happen and tips for travelling with children.

Carey covers everything from choosing toys that make less mess (damn, there goes the Lego idea), to fast beauty fixes so you don't look like a hassled mum even if you are one.

It is aimed at British readers with tips like having a kaftan/maxi-type dress to chuck on for the "school run" so you always look at least somewhat put-together, but most of the book is universal.

It is also written in pick-up, put-down style, so you can delve in for a couple of tips from anywhere in the book whenever you do actually have time.

I recommend you make it – it'll save you more in the long run.

• Victoria Guild is a Nelson sub-editor.

- © Fairfax NZ News