My God, am I cranky! For the last several days, I have been so on edge. I know what it is. My husband knows what it is. He may not like it, but he sort of understands it. Of course, it's PMS. But how the hell do you explain pre-menstrual syndrome to your kids? Poor things. They just think their mama's a nut job who snaps out at the littlest thing or bursts into tears over nothing. Damn.

My older kids are 9 and 11 now. So I've actually broached the subject somewhat with them. I think they're old enough to grasp the concept of something happening in a grown-up woman's body (raging hormones) that makes her crankier and moodier than usual. I've also told them that I try not to let PMS cause me to yell at them or to be angry over little things. They say they understand (kind of). But can they, really? And my little guy is only two - he couldn't possibly understand.

It's so frustrating. I know we all deal with it, but I feel so bad that the kids don't get why mom's being such a bitch. Especially when we go somewhere. Trips or outings are supposed to be fun, but I just get so on-edge when I'm out of my element during PMS. Poor kids. Damn mommy guilt.

At least I've taken proactive steps to talk to the kids about it. I hate feeling like there's NOTHING I can do about a situation or about my actions. I refuse to take that stance. So I've explained it to them the best I can. I'm also trying to use self-calming techniques like deep breathing and counting to ten. And, yes, I do take something. I totally believe in using prescriptions to help you be your best person.

What do you do when you're PMS'ing? Have you talked to your kids about it? Come on, help a mama out.

Photo by Katie Tegtmeyer

I know the power of the resolution and of goal-setting.  I do.  And I"ve advocated for having an action plan on numerous occasions.  I guess what I need to know is why it's so hard to stick to those goals.  So very hard.  I wrote about setting blogging resolutions here and about my personal resolutions here.  When I wrote these posts, I truly meant what I was saying, but now that I've sat down to try to write my plan, I'm coming up blank.  I got nothing.  Zilch.

I've been feeling so guilty lately, too.  I feel like I should have been more dedicated to starting my writing career.  I know it takes time and work to really make a go of things.  I've blamed much of my lack of productivity on my terribly temperamental computer.  It really is hard to get work done on an old fossil that freezes up on you at least four or five times a day.  And it's kind of tough getting the opportunity to use that computer that's all the way in the bedroom when you're stationed in the living room with the cruising baby who's now into EVERYTHING.  But I truly do want to be more productive, and I know that if you really want something, you can make it happen.  

I've been catching up on my Google reader a bit this weekend (yet another thing I'm chronically behind on), and I"ve been reading other bloggers' New Year's Resolutions posts and finding that you amazing women are having many of the same struggles I have!  Lisa at Work At Home Mom Revolution posted a great list of resolutions.  She was so forthcoming about the areas in her life she'd like to improve.  You should really take some time visiting her blog if you're interested in working from home - she lists numerous, legitimate work-at-home opportunities of all kinds.  Because she puts out such awesome content with such regularity, I thought she must be a time-managment maven.  She admits that she's not and that she needs to firm up her schedule and get more organized.  Hey, she's just like me!  She also sets one of the best resolutions I've seen, which is to get paid what she's worth.  You go, Lisa!  All writers to need to adopt this attitude.

In a post entitled "Because It Needs To Be Said", Maggie of Okay, Fine, Dammit, talks about the many bloggers she's come across lately who seem to be trying to find their voice and their place in the blogosphere.  She sees the dynamic that exists of folks wanting to fit in, to be one of the popular bloggers, to meet others' expectations.  And to this, she says, "Don’t worry if you go a week or two or three or nine without posting. Don’t apologize, or explain. . . Don’t write words mimicking the voices of other bloggers you think have got it made. Don’t post obligatory anythings. Hang each post upon the walls of your space and don’t worry about whether or not it matches the hangings around it. If you are being honest and true to yourself only, the entire thing will speak for itself. It will be its own mosaic of unabashed, unapologetic beauty.

Bless Maggie's heart for this heartfelt sentiment for her fellow blogger.  While I don't necessarily feel the need to conform to anyone else's standard, I do often feel guilty for not posting or for not incorporating some of the great things I'd like to into my blog.  I suppose what I feel is an obligation to explain.  I may not post regularly, but I will post when I can.  I've got hours upon hours of interviews with mom bloggers to transcribe, just waiting for their stories to be told.  I want to bring them to you, I do.  But transcribing is not my favorite activity, and I know I put it off sometimes.  I'm hoping my new laptop, which I won from Family Eden, will help me in my productivity.  Please be patient with me.