1.  The bathroom door has a lock on it for a reason. Mommy Needs a Timeout.  I would love to take a minute for every year of my life once in a while (30+) and would even sit on the steps in the timeout spot but it's not like anyone will leave me alone.  Think ahead and bring your laptop and a cordless phone or cell phone with you into the lav.  Sure the kids may throw themselves against the door in protest but at least no one will be trying to sit on your head.

2.  Spend the money on the good dark chocolate but hide it well. I can't explain it but there are actual scientists who have done studies showing that a piece of chocolate can perk you right up.  After waiting in line for 55 minutes with at 2-year-old and a 4-year-old on the quest to see Santa, you deserve it.

3.  Sneak out of your house after bedtime.  I happen to have a neighbor who happens to be a divine baker and never sleeps.  Sometimes you just need to escape for a little while and nothing beats a short walk across the street, a chocolate cupcake, a nice cup of tea and conversation that doesn't involve bodily functions or whining.  I mean, other than your own.

4.  Send an anonymous or unexpected surprise to a friend. It'll warm your heart to know that you lifted someone's day.

5.  Put on some lipstick, for heaven's sake.  I know you don't want to get your lazy backside out of those sweats but you'll feel better if you don't look like you have recently escaped from an insane asylum.  Assuming you can stop from rocking in a corner...

When she isn't hiding in her basement screen printing sassy tees for her company Baby Brewing,  Good Kristen is a Supersister writing about parenting and her children at PBS Parents.  If that seems a little pedestrian, you can always find Bad Kristen writing about her insanity at Mommy Needs a Cocktail.  'Cause isn't there a little good and bad in all of us?