Overwhelmed moms share tips for a stress-free holiday season

Counting down to Christmas, there's often lots to do like shopping, wrapping and cooking.

Those tasks are mostly done by women for their family and sometimes the "to-do" list can be overwhelming.

Alana Edwards is a mother of three who also runs the "Elves for Seniors" charity gift-giving initiative, so December is especially full for her family.

“I do all the shopping. I do all the wrapping. I make that dinner for our family and our extended family and yeah, it's a very chaotic time of year for us,” Edwards said.

Her friend Jess Murray is an educator and mother of five, so every season is busy.

“There's a lot of pressure to be perfect cook, and the perfect mom, and the perfect friend and the perfect wife and the perfect daughter and the perfect sister, Murray said.

Certified nutrition and health coach, Nancy Essebag-Christie says moms need to pace themselves thru the holiday sprint. Such as eating right while on the go.

“These are things that we give to our kids. But we don't take for ourselves. So, pack your lunch and pack your water bottle,” said Essebag-Christie.

Essebag-Christie, who is behind HealthCoachMama.com, advises moms not to sweat the small stuff, and Murray agrees.

“I think if you choose something you are really passionate about and then try and give an even level to everything else, you're okay. But if you try and be amazing at everything, you fail at everything,” Murray said.

Essebag-Christie added that even if it is outside of their comfort zone, moms need to ask for help.

“Delegating is key, especially if you're having a holiday party, having people over. You don't have to do all the cooking, ask people to bring a meal,” she said.

All three moms agree that since the holidays are about kids, they should also be involved.

“I delegate to my kids. I empower my kids through a lot of independent work and independent activity. So, they help each other out and they help me out a lot. I have two that love to cook, and that helps me a lot, Murray said.

Edwards said her partner is also helpful. “The dinner duty some nights when I can't be there or bedtime duty because there's not enough hours in a day.”

Essebag-Christie added that teamwork should become the new holiday tradition.

“It's very rewarding for them to get involved, whether it's with the baking or even cleaning up or setting the table or wrapping the gifts. Like maybe their wrapping job won't be as good as yours, but it's cute,” she said.