Being a parent is one of the most wonderful and stressful jobs there is. The job of parenting has often been carried out while sleep deprived and stretched to the limit.

If you consider how many changes having children bring to your life it isn’t unusual to feel stressed out at times.

Tips for reducing stress are:

• Talk to friends and family members that you trust that have children it helps to know that you are not the only parent to feel stressed.

• Adjust your priorities it isn’t realistic to try to be a super parent.

• Be open to offers of help from people you trust.

• Plan ahead, especially on work and school nights. Getting everything ready the night before can be tiring, but it will pay dividends the next morning and aid a calm start to the day.

• Use a calendar that will have space for all family member’s activities and keep it up to date.

• Think ahead and plan so that you are ahead of the game.

• Take care of yourself even the lynch pin that keeps our family together needs a break every now and then. Take time for relaxation it is a good example to set for your children.

Working and raising a family presents lots of challenges. There will be conflicts between family and work responsibilities, but with forward planning and a bit of creativity it is doable.

You are only human after all so be kind to yourself and those around you and celebrate the wonderful family you have created.

NEXT WEEK: Teen anxiety

See www.parentandbabycoach.co.uk