DEALING WITH DILEMMAS

Mum I feel stressed out

relax The modern-day child can easily relate to the cartoon character ‘Stressed Eric’. Finding themselves in a hectic situation, whether it's forgetting their homework, missing their ride home or being late for practice, can really stress them out.

Sharing these tips can keep them - and you - cool, calm, and collected:

Get moving
Get up, get out, and get moving! Physical activity increases endorphin levels - the natural "feel-good" chemicals in the body creating a naturally happy feeling.

Fuel up
Start the day off with a full tank - eating breakfast will give them energy to tackle the day. Eat regularly during the day, rather than one big meal.

Laugh it off
Laugh out loud. Lots of laughing can make you all feel good. This good feeling stays even after the laughter stops. So, head off stress with regular doses of laughter by watching a funny movie or cartoons, reading a joke book, or even making up your own.

Spill to someone you trust
Instead of keeping their feelings bottled up inside, encourage them to talk to someone they trust or respect about what's bothering them. Get them to make a worry box and write their problems down before bed. This will break the ice to speak out more easily.

Catch some zzzzz...
When children don't get enough sleep, they will feel cranky and not think clearly. Sleep helps them recharge.

Lend a hand
It's almost impossible to feel stressed out when they are helping someone else. It's also a great way to find out about one’s own special qualities. Signing up for a service project is a good idea, but helping others is as easy as saying hello, holding a door, or volunteering to keep a neighbor's pet.

Have fun with friends
Being with people they like is always a good way to ditch stress. Get a group together to go to the movies or play a board game or just hang out and talk.

What child-rearing celebrity
mums have to say:

Sleep is out for 2009. Tired is the new black.
Amy Poehler, Emmy-nominated comedian of Saturday Night Live
You learn to be less selfish and less worried about your career. I've always been very disciplined and focused on my work, and having a baby makes you become less self-involved.
Jessica Alba
I just take it hour by hour. For me, if I think about the logistics of a full week, my head starts spinning.
Debra Messing
of Will & Grace sitcom
I like working in film because it allows me to be a mother more than anything else. Theater and television don't allow that luxury of time.
Sarah Jessica Parker
My normal day is, I get up with the kids, take them to school, a few days a week I might do Pilates, reading, meetings, and then we always do family dinner at 6:30.
Demi Moore
I manage the same way everybody else does who has children and a job. You do the best you can! A lot of other things – like your social life – fall by the wayside.
Julianne Moore