this blog originally appeared at thesagemama.com  

I have been grumpy for the last six years of my life. After my first son was born, I recovered quickly. By recover, I mean regaining the same state of health I had before my pregnancy. After my daughter was born less than two years later, I didn't recover quite as quickly. I found myself more stressed and worn out and short-tempered. Afterr my third child was born, I became permanently grumpy (well almost.)

I told myself that once the children started sleeping through the night (which took years each), I'd feel better. But I didn't. I told myself that I just needed some time to myself. Or I needed more time connecting with the children. Or I needed to develop more outside interests. Or I needed to spend more time at home ....

No matter what I tried, and my children are now 5, 7 and 8 years old, I couldn't feel better. I gained weight and ate weirdly and while I do exercise quite a bit and have a variety of outside interests, I just can't seem to get back my zest. It's like having PMS all the time.

More...