Let’s face it – being a mom is stressful. We fulfill endless obligations, problem solve with the best of them, and rarely get the time for a break. Luckily, Johnson’s, the brand that was with us as we grew up and then helped us nurture our own children, understands the busy life of a mom. And the company’s new Melt Away Stress line was created to help. The formula for the line of lotions, moisturizers, and body wash was based on years of research, which, obviously, were well worth it. Everything from the scent right down to the design of the bottles is meant to be calming, and Johnson’s “aromasooth” fragrance not only smells great – it really will help you to relax. There’s something comforting about a brand that sticks with you for life, as well as a product that can truly bring some peace to an otherwise chaotic day.

To help you “Escape Your Stress,” Johnson’s is running a number of promotions and has invited Mom Central to help.

First, the company is offering 3 members of the Mom Central community a chance to relax with some of their Melt Away Stress products, including Johnson’s SOFTWASH Melt Away Stress 24-Hour Moisturizing Wash, Johnson’s SOFTLOTION Melt Away Stress Moisturizing Lotion, and Johnson’s SOFTCREAM Melt Away Stress Dreamy Night Cream. To enter, simply post a comment here by Wednesday, July 9. The winners will be selected at random and contacted for their mailing addresses.

 This giveaway is now over. Congratulations to our winners: Sarah from MO, Kelley from CT, and Heidi from MA! We hope you enjoy your prizes. Look for more giveaways coming soon!

Also, Johnson’s connected us with Dr. Michelle R. Callahan, a relationship expert, coach, developmental psychologist, and writer who is working with Johnson’s to help you de-stress. As an expert on not only stress and women’s health, but family and relationships, the Co-Host and Life Coach for BET’s inside-out makeover show REMIXED!, the Resident Relationship Expert for The Tyra Banks Show, and a frequent guest on a number of other national TV shows, Dr. Michelle had plenty of advice for busy moms.

Here’s what she had to say:

MC: Sometimes between our families, our jobs, and our never-ending obligations, moms feel like we are constantly pulled in a million directions without ever getting any time for ourselves. What do you suggest to help moms find some much-needed “me time”?

Dr. Michelle: As you know, realistically “mom time” often comes towards the beginning or end of the day when the kids are asleep. Part of the dilemma with this is that moms are usually tired after caring for kids all day, and any “exclusive time” is usually used to catch up on badly needed sleep.

One solution I suggest is that every so often, instead of driving your children around to places they want to go, focus the day around your needs. If you have the kids with you but you need to go to the grocery store or you want to spend the day outside at the park, the kids will need to understand that it is your day and they are going to have to abide by your rule. If you set this up weekly and stick to your guns, the kids will learn you mean business and come to respect your time — it’s a good lesson for them as well.

Also, try and schedule play dates at another parent’s house – and if you have more then one child, be sure to arrange it so all the kids are out of the house at the same time. Even if this is only for an hour, this is at least an hour of much needed, exclusive “you” time!

MC: A lot of moms today who work outside the home are realizing that achieving the precarious balance between work and home life just doesn’t exist, often feeling like they’re not doing either job to the best of their ability or spreading themselves too thin. What would you suggest to deal with some of this stress?

Dr. Michelle: Work/life balance is so important – especially if you have children! I strongly urge women in this position to follow a schedule. If you are able to actually see everything you need to do written down, you will be able to organize your time better. Arrange your work schedule to complete tasks by deadline dates. If you have a list with times and dates set out in front of you, you may feel less stressed and will have a sense of accomplishment because you have created a plan for when and how you are going to accomplish your goals.

While home, try to limit the amount of time you spend on your Blackberry. Maybe you don’t check it after a certain time or you can prioritize what needs to be done right away from home and what can wait until you are back at work. Even when you are really busy its good to find some personal time each day to spend with your kids whether that time is spent feeding them dinner or reading them a story at bedtime.

MC: Now that summer is here, do you have any suggestions for dealing with the stress of summer travel?

Dr. Michelle: Yes, plan early! Doing everything ahead of schedule instead of last minute like we all tend to do is key - especially this summer when most people are staying at their local beach instead of visiting exotic locations due to rising prices.

If you are traveling farther away, it’s especially important to plan ahead. The cost of plane tickets increases daily, so I would plan to purchase your tickets as early as you can. Make sure that you are at the airport 2 hours before the flight takes off, this way you can check your bags, get everyone through the security check point, and buy any food or drinks you need before taking off.

MC: It’s pretty obvious that stress can take a huge toll on us, both mentally and physically. What steps can women take to keep themselves healthy and fight the effects of stress?

Dr. Michelle: Like everyone else, I get stressed, too, and one of the best ways to combat stress is through some sort of physical activity. Whether that is a yoga class or just going for a walk, I strongly encourage taking the time to exercise.

After any good workout or at the end of a long day, even if I am only able to set aside 10 minutes, I like to use Johnson’s Melt Away Stress Dreamy Night Cream to alleviate tension in my neck and shoulders. I also use the Moisturizing Body Wash in the shower. I particularly like that the Melt Away Stress line is easy to find and affordable to all women -- it's an easy step everyone can take to help relieve stress, and the products smell really good!

MC: In your opinion, what is the number one thing we should be doing to reduce stress in our lives and in the lives of our families?

Dr. Michelle: Being organized is one of the best things you can do to alleviate stress. I know some people are list people, while others are more interested in being spontaneous, but I have found the more you map out the course of your day the less stressed you are. If you have a clear outline of what tasks you need to complete for the day, week or month, you will be able to view the times you are available to be alone with your self. It is during those select times that I suggest engaging in an activity that alleviates stress such as taking a run, going shopping or baking a cake. Anything that you like that is able to take your mind off everything else around you, that is able to help you breathe and prepare yourself for the next activity on your “to do” list, will surely help keep you less stressed. And in the end, it’s important to let it go and remind yourself no one is Super Woman—tomorrow is another day to tackle new tasks. It’s still important to live in the moment so you don’t miss your children growing up.


Thanks so much to Johnson’s and to Dr. Michelle for taking the time to talk to us.

Don’t forget to leave your comments to enter the contest and let us know what you think about the stress of motherhood, how you relax, or what you think of Dr. Michelle’s tips!

And be sure to check out the rest of Johnson’s Escape Your Stress promotion here.

You can also find information on the Melt Away Stress line and other products meant specifically for you at the Johnson’s For You website.

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