The alarm clock goes off at some unearthly hour, you fit in a quick shower while picking up all the dirty laundry left in the childrens' bedrooms, put on a load, make three sets of packed lunches and breakfast at the same time, finish off little Johnny's homework, feed the cat, find a suitable toy for today's show and tell, make an appointment for the dentist, wash the kitchen floor, and make a shopping list to pick up later after work and you haven't even had time for a cup of coffee let alone apply any make-up, before heading off on the school run. Does that all sound horribly familiar?

Today's modern mothers have got multitasking down to a fine art. Handling parental duties, working increasing hours and keeping up with household chores are part of daily for many of us these days but sometimes, rather than making us feel more efficient, if can begin to take it's toll and produce stress and anxiety - and no wonder!

It's important to get the balance right so that you don't leave yourself feeling overwhelmed by not keeping on top of things and yet allowing you some essential free time too, to enjoy yourself and have a well deserved break.

Try and combine tasks so that you can cut down on your chores and have fun at the same time. Why not get your children to have a garage sale? You'll be getting them to tidy up their rooms and the house and make a little extra money at the same time. Walk with your children to the shops. That way you will all be getting some much needed exercise, you'll have the opportunity to engage in some valuable talk-time with them to find out what's going on in their lives and you'll have extra pairs of hands to carry home the shopping too. Cook food in batches to be frozen for the week ahead. A meat Bolognese sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, stocks and soups are also worth making ahead and freezing.

Set up a book club with some friends. You'll be giving yourself a reason to sit down and enjoy a book, using your mind and having the opportunity to get together with a group of friends at the same time.

Delegation is the key. Divide chores between the family to be done throughout the week. Get together once a week for a takeaway treat and sit down and let everyone air their grievances - if they have any - about how happy they are about the chores they've been given. You won't be stressed about cooking and it's a great chance to catch up as a family. And make sure when you organise the rota for the week ahead you put in an evening out by yourself. You deserve it, after all!