Mums of four might actually be less stressed than those with fewer kids

Bigger might really be better when it comes to family size.

You may think parents with just one or two children have it easier than those with bigger broods but that might not be the case. A survey of parents in the US has revealed that mums with four or more kids are less stressed than those with fewer kids. A poll, conducted by the Today show, asked over 7,000 mothers from across the country to rate their stress levels on a scale of one to ten, ten being the most stressed. The average respondent rate her stress levels at 8.5 but mums with four or more kids reported far lower stress levels.   Mums with three kids reported the highest stress levels of all in the survey. Psychotherapist and mum of four Kelley Kitley told Mother.ly that there is extra work with more kids but that it also makes for a bigger support system. "They encourage each other, hold each other accountable, help out more to lighten the load at home and the kids entertain each other. "Having more than three kids certainly hasn't been a breeze—the laundry in and of itself is overwhelming—but overall, it's a lot of fun." Psychiatrist Janet Taylor agrees, saying parents with bigger families don't have the "headspace" to stress as much over the small things. "The more children you have, the more confident you become in your parenting abilities," she told Today. "You have to let go… and then you’re just thankful when they all get to school on time." The survey also found that 75 per cent of mums are more stressed about the pressure they put on themselves to be perfect than the perceived pressure from other parents. Interestingly, almost half of the mums surveyed (46 per cent) said that their partners stress them out more than their kids.