I can't climb

[sundial]

The small chainring helps me climb the hills. There's a reason mtb's come with a triple chainring and you'll soon sing praises of the little gear that could.

[indigoiis]

Someone here once said in a post, "don't be afraid to use your grannies."

I use that on my road bike, too. I use em. Why the heck not? I don't think I'm less of a woman for spinning!

[bluebug32]

You conserve more energy by sitting, too. It's all about cadence for me; if I can get in the groove of a fast enough cadence sitting, where I can use that momentum and maintain the beat of the cadence while climbing, I'll stay sitting. And, to keep your front wheel from popping up while sitting, use your hands to pull your handlebar down as you pull them slightly toward you. You'll feel it anchoring the front wheel.

When you're standing, it's all about shifting your weight back and forth. If you're have trouble with control, you could also be spinning in too high of a gear if you're spinning the rear out. Find a tougher gear to stand in. If you could shift up a gear when you stand (just like on a road bike), that would be ideal. Practice keeping your body centered over the BB and slightly shifting back and forth as you stand to keep the weight balanced over your wheels.

One more thought (this helped me), is your stem too long? This could also be throwing off the center of gravity.

[RoadRaven]

Well... you can, my dear. You say "I'm not fast on hills, but I do them."

First change the head-message... "I can do hills".

Then realise that getting fast on hills takes time and you have to be patient. You are getting there. Have faith in yourself.