"My life is spinning out of control. I feel like I'm just stuck in complete chaos," says 25-year-old Rania Helton, who works part time, takes online-college courses and has two daughters under the age of 5 who she cares for at home. "I stand in the middle of the house and I'm like, OK should I do laundry? Should I clean? I don't know what to do first," she says. "There have been several times where I've just sat down and just been in tears ... I just don't know if this can even continue for a few more months. I doubt it."

Rachael enlists life coach Harriette Cole to advise Rania so she can find some balance and start enjoying her life again. Get Harriette's tips for overwhelmed moms, and, if you have some tips of your own share them on our message board!

Write everything down and prioritize. "We need to look at that schedule," Harriette tells Rania, suggesting she begin by writing down all her activities with a time stamp. "I bet you anything you're going to see that not even a superhero can do all of these things successfully in one day," says Harriette, who then urges Rania to eliminate one of her responsibilities. Since work and childcare are necessities, Harriette suggests putting off school for just one year. When Rachael and Rania give her a look of protest, Harriette explains, "I'm not saying don't do it -- listen to why -- you have a 10-month old. Soon the 10-month-old is going to be able to go to pre-school ... You're going to collapse if you don't let something go. It's a pause on school for maybe a year."

Get some help from a babysitter. Since Rania works from home she's literally balancing a baby on her lap and keeping an eye out for her older daughter while she's trying to get her legal work done on the computer. With both her children and the work suffering, Harriette suggests hiring a babysitter so she has time to get her job done and then to also spend quality time with the kids. "It could be a teenager or an older person in your neighborhood for a few hours a week," Harriette says. "It doesn't have to be a lot of money."

Map out the day and post a schedule on the fridge. Once Rania puts her classes on hold she'll have a bit more time in the day, but she's still concerned as to how she will manage work and parenting. This is where the schedule is helpful; by organizing the day and creating some structure each of the tasks will feel more manageable. Harriette suggests literally writing down which hours are for work and housework, including 10 minute breaks and reminders to breathe, exercise and drink water while leaving a little time for her spouse in the evening.

Enlist more help from your spouse. Harriette asks Rania's husband to make lunches for the family in the morning to give his wife a bit of spare time. While he initially hesitates, she reminds him that if he pitches in, he and his wife can both enjoy the rewards in the evening when the kids go to sleep.

As Harriette goes through her suggestions, Rania starts to tear up and stress that she does not even have the time to write these lists and get organized. Harriette reassures her: "It is so common, I don't know if that helps you, but know that moms of young kids often feel overwhelmed," Harriette says. "Stop saying 'we can't, we can't, we can't.' We can."

Related Links

HarrietteCole.com