• Setting the mood for relaxation successSet of lit candles. Lighted candles. Glowing candles. Flames image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Parenting is an all-encompassing, 24-7 responsibility that takes patience, creativity and an ability to be flexible. Whether you live in a two-parent household or are a single parent, stressful moments and circumstances often occur when you're least expecting them. To help you cope with common deviations that throw even the strongest parent off-kilter, all that is needed is a little planning, preparation and time.
  
  

Back Rubs

• If you live in a two-parent household, your mate is a portal to relaxing moments. To set the optimum relaxation mood, shut off all television, phones and computers prior to your back rub session. You can choose to sit on the couch and lean forward on pillows or lay down on the bed. Do yourselves a favor and wait until the children are in bed to avoid stressful interruptions. Ask your partner if he or she is carrying their stress of the day anywhere in particular and if so, address this area first. The main part of what makes this back rub most relaxing is to create a quiet environment, free of negative dialogue and noise. The two of you can choose a particular amount of time per partner before beginning or simply massage one another until you reach a fully relaxed state.
  
  

Setting the mood

• Set the mood for success when you are looking to unwind at the end of the day or even mid-day when stressful circumstances are getting the best of you. Close the curtains and blinds and dim the lights for optimum darkness to trick your brain into assuming its naturally time to relax. It's wise to invest in some music particularly for this situation. Nature, whale and animal sounds, monk and Buddhist chants, and soft, slow classical music can be helpful. Set the CD player on repeat, grab a blanket made with rich material such as chenille, silk or velour and curl up on the couch or in your favorite armchair. Have an eye mask on hand as well. Invest in one that is scented with lavender or purchase some lavender oil at the store and add a few drops. Lavender is known for its relaxing effect. You also can purchase an infuser and burn the scent. Make sure it is known that no interruptions are allowed for the period of time you are in relaxation mode. A glass of red wine is a warm, comforting addition to this process.
  
  

Foot Massage

• Whether you're a single parent or part of a parenting team, you're likely spending your time running around from the moment you awake until you go to bed at night. When you need to unwind in the middle of your day, a foot massage will rejuvenate your feet and re-invigorate your mind, allowing stressful conditions to slip away. Purchase a foot massager, which is a single-unit bath with a texturized bottom that you can roll your feet across. When you flip the switch it generates bubbles and heat. You can sit in this foot bath, massaging yourself for as little or as long as you like; however the longer you massage your feet without distraction the better it works. After you're done soaking have some peppermint foot lotion on hand to refresh your worn feet. Tools also often come with these units so you can continue with a full pedicure if you wish.