I've seen first hand personally and professionally how detrimental unmanaged stress can be on the entire family...even on the kids. I've also seen how moms can play a huge role in managing the families stress by carefully crafting a workable plan for the entire family.

One thing I always suggest to the moms I see is is to give themselves permission to "lighten up". They're often so overburdened, overscheduled and filled with rules and responsibility that sometimes they're able to do little more than get past the details of their busy day. Is there something you can delegate and get off your plate? If so, delegate it, stop micromanaging and make the decision that once it's delegated, it's in good hands and will get done-even though it won't be done as well as you can do. :)

Good enough is ok. Sure you want to do the best you can but lessen unnecessary stress for you and your family by losing the need to be perfect. For example, it's important to me to cook healthy meals for my family but in order to do that and keep my sanity my rule is "I'll make anything with 5 ingredients or less." 

Another simple tip is to ask yourself, "will this matter in 5 or 10 years?" Chances are the answer is no so do your best to keep it in perspective.

Along those same lines, you may want to ask yourself the very deep and spiritual question..."who cares?" Chances are, no one cares nearly as much as you think so take some pressure off. It's also likely that the enormous amount of pressure you're feeling is largely self imposed.

Stop comparing yourself to other moms. You are uniquely and perfectly...you. Own that and give yourself credit for the great job you're doing and the many roles you play on any given day.

Find time for fun. Figure out what you enjoy and just do it. I have 4 dogs for exactly that reason. See you friends, laugh with your partner and kids, watch a funny movie or do something else that you enjoy that helps you de-stress. Give "responsibility mom" a break and allow "fun mom" to take over for a while.

Look at the family schedule and see where you can cut back. Maybe enrolling in every class, team, event is causing more stress than it's worth. Of course you want the best for your family but when we're overburdened, we're not giving our family what's best at all. Remember, your kids are watching you, as their greatest role model, to learn how to behave, act and react. If you don't like some of the behaviors they're learning...take the first step and start making some changes.

Are you trying to be "SuperMom"? If so, you may find it's creating super-stress! Do you have some strategies to help reduce your family's stress or reduce "toxic mom stress?" I'd love to know, comment and share!