Ways to Help Even the Most Overwhelmed Mom De-stress

Every mom has felt overwhelmed at one time or another, and most moms are able to compose themselves and return to the joy of parenthood unscathed.

Next time you are feeling overwhelmed with work and kids, why not try one of these ideas?

1. Give yourself a break. Even the smallest children can go to their cribs or a safe play area for mom to take a 15 minute coffee break. Any corporation you might work for must allow employees a 15 minute break every 3-4 hours. Since your corporation consists of yourself and your family, there is no reason to deny yourself. Perhaps you could even pick up Starbucks on your way back from doing errands and take a break when you get home. You could even throw in a few pages from a great book, a game of solitaire or a Sudoku for a bit of intellectual stimulation away from Barney and the Wiggles!

2. Movie time! Some afternoons when the kids are napping or playing quietly in their rooms, why not pop a bag of popcorn, perhaps invite a friend or neighbor over, and curl up on the couch with a movie you have been meaning to watch? Let the housework go and enjoy...

3. Library mornings. Many libraries offer story time in the mornings. Take advantage of these! What a wonderful way to find a 15-45 minute break to peruse the stacks and take in the quiet of your local library. (Most libraries stick the kids in a quiet room away to keep the noise at bay.) Coffee shops are popping up in local libraries all across the country, so enjoy a warm drink along with some savory minutes of alone time!

4. Hello Mickey D's..or any other restaurant with a playplace! When you take your kids for fast food play antics, don't forget to take along a magazine or your cell phone. You can always phone a friend for a leisurely chat (let him/her know to "pardon the inevitable interruptions"), or you can peruse the latest InStyle while watching your kids climb the McWhatever.

5. Mother's Helper. Babysitters can be expensive, but mother's helpers (kids who are mature, but just a little too young to babysit) are very reasonable. A mature teen of about 13 will usually love to help out for an hour or two to earn an extra $5 or $10. Why not find a great neighborhood teen to play with the kids out in the yard so that you can spend an hour or two napping, having a bubble bath, working on the Great American Novel, or whatever floats your boat!