Emotional Wellness Mary Symmes is the founder of Self Investment Strategies and a life coach devoted to the empowerment of working women. Mary is also a clinical social worker in Alexandria, Va. Visit her Web site at SelfInvestmentStrategies.com Busy Mom Question: I'm a working mom with 3 kids ages 2, 6 & 8. I feel like I never have time to relax. I'm constantly rushing from home to work to home. Once home I'm making dinner, doing laundry and being a mom! Sometimes I feel exhausted. But other days I feel a lot of joy from work and from home. What can I do to find time to relax and be less stressed? - Suzanne Answer: Suzanne, you have a really, really full plate, and fatigue just goes along with it, I'm afraid. But here go a couple of ideas that could help you balance things a bit: GET HELP. Prioritize all your jobs, figure out which you can/should farm out to other people, and do it. Is your husband carrying his share of the load? If not, you might use some counseling to get a fair distribution of family duties going. Hire someone to do your house cleaning/yard work/maintenance/ironing and laundry, etc. Teach the older kids to do small but useful chores - they will enjoy contributing to the family. I'm sure you can think of other ideas. GET ORGANIZED. Cook in bulk and freeze the excess for future meals. Make lists so you don't have to grocery shop more than once or twice a week. Develop routines for the household so that people and things know what to do and where to go every day. For example, do one complete load of laundry every night and have it put in the appropriate rooms. Or have each child pick up after him/herself every night. SCHEDULE SELF CARE. This idea is along the lines of getting the oil changed and tires rotated in your car - you keep it running efficiently and minimize the chance of breakdowns! So always try to get enough sleep, and eat properly. Set aside 20 - 30 minutes every day for exercise, relaxation, grooming, whatever you like. Walk 10 minutes in the a.m. and 10 in the p.m. if your schedule demands it. Give yourself a couple of hours off duty on the weekends and go to the movies or get a massage, and leave the kids to husband or babysitter. Remember, no one else is going to take care of you - you have to do it yourself. And you and your well-being is as important as anyone else's, including your children. . Click here for more advice on how to make time for yourself Mary Symmes Other Recent Questions: I can't decide if I should go back to work after I have a baby or not. Any advice? I'm worried that my husband may be having an affair. How can I find out? Ask Mary your questions The above is for general information only and is not intended to substitute for professional mental health treatment. Individuals should consult licensed professionals as needed.