Need Tips for Snapping Out of a Bad Mood.

How often do you have any ME time? I also have two little ones ( mine are 2 & 5) and we do not go out much unless it revolvs around them. We need to take some time for ourselves. I recently realized how over time it truly wears on you. And I am working on correcting it.

You need to find a good hobby, read a good book (fun series, Janet Evonavich- Stephanie Plum series), get a pedi & and Mani, Go for coffee/drink with a freind. Do some Yoga.. Anything that can help reduce your stress , which will help in general.

Good luck

Time outs for mommy when she's stressed. Literally-- go to the bathroom and lock the door, take a magazine with you. Five minutes away can help, esp. when the kids are coming to you for everything.

I also have a mantra "It's not them, it's me" which I repeat under my breath when I get in those grumpy slumps.

Sometimes, too, active ignoring (where you give them your final answer, let them know it IS the final answer and you aren't going to talk about it any more-- then listen quietly until they change the subject) helps if the kids are nagging.

Great advice below for the big picture. But when it does happen and you figured out it's you (and not them), for that moment, try to put a smile on your face while thinking "Who loves you, Mama Llama?". Amazingly, putting a smile on your face and thinking of someone who loves you sends great messages to your brain and actually makes it easier to snap out of a bad moment. All my best.

15 min time outs. Everybody to your room.

Listen to upbeat music, read your Bible or do deep breathing.

You say you are going through peri-menopause, are you taking anything to treat the other symptoms of that? I recently started taking the birth control pill again just to help with the period issues and hormone fluctuations. I was having a BIG problem with irritability and I think that has gotten a lot better since I started the medication. (I do find myself being rather short with my 11 year old lately, he seems to feel that he needs to make noise ALL THE TIME, fart noises, clicky noises with his tongue (that are really loud), anything. I try to take a deep breath and ask myself, is he really all that annoying or is it just me???)

My doc told my that if the pill didn't take care of the irritability we could add some Prozac, but after 3 months I really don't feel like I need that additional medication.

I don't know how old your kiddos are but you might try giving them a time frame like "Please go play without Mommy until the Barney CD is over, or the Dora episode is over." Anything to give yourself just a few minutes of peace to take deep breaths and relax.

Good Luck.

M

Might be crazy or impossible, but i found cutting out (or cutting down on) dairy helped with PMS anxiety and crabbiness. Google it.

Could also be SAD. Take plenty of Vitamin D and find a store with one of those special light boxes. Sometimes I stand in front of the one at Costco and seriously feel my mood lifting. I have friends who have bought them and swear by them.

Last, acupuncture or acupressure can do wonders for your mood and energy. Also have friends who swear by their Spoonk mats to lift their moods

take vitamin D and Magnesium. Train the children to be self sufficient and independent.