This study investigates the relation of a mother's personality of children 2,5-4 years and her parenting stress. The study involved 51 mothers aged 20 to 45 living in Saint Petersburg. The study assessed personality characteristics such as the ways of Coping (R. Lazarus), the Big Five personality traits. The parenting stress was measured by a questionnaire of parenting stress (Abidina). Results. Parenting stress was identified among 84% mothers (high level - 56%). It was found that neuroticism, openness to experience and agreebleness most closely related with the parenting stress (Big 5). The use of copings such as avoidance and accepting responsibility leads to increase of parenting stress. Higher levels of childrens' irritability and inability to calm down affect parenting stress. The hypothesis that the parenting stress has the closest relation with mother's and childrens' personalities confirmed.