Becoming More Impatient!!

I think a schedule is important. I know in retrospect with me, the times that I am losing my patience with my kids is when I am preoccupied with something else. So a schedule gives me time to focus on the fact that I need to make time for them and then get them started on something so I can do what I need to do. I felt just like you not too long ago, but I really tried to reflect and take notice when the behavior was occuring during the day.
You can try having some structured play (coloring, playdoh, games, reading) and unstructured play (they choose what they want to play with/without you). Try finding a playgroup that meets at least once a week to break up the week a bit. But if the kids get the routine down, they will know what is coming next for them and will be less likely to act out as much because they know what to expect. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Well Julie not much to offer but just wanted to tell you you aren't alone. I too have a 2 and 3 y/o and boy do they love to bickering with each other. I always thought it was b/c they were girls but I guess not true.

I too have been going more impatient with the girls but it's only when I'm alone with the girls. I also have an 8y/o so when he is home he helps me or just the fact that the girls have someone else to play with. IDK. And when my husband home he gets impatience with them but I'm become IMPATIENT with him b/c I tell him I've deal with it for 10-12 hours by myself yet be comes home and yells at them the minute he is in the door. That really bothers me. And I think I lose focus on the girl's bad behavior and focus on him.

I have also thought about sending the 3y/o to school.

What have I done to become less stressed. I think the girls know when they are mean to each other and I have stop being the refree (sp). I just tell them don't hit, kick, bite, yell and to share. That's it. If it gets to heated I will seprate them and they hate that so they promise they will be nice again.

My girls are also very respectful when it comes to going out in public place. They sit good in a restuarant, say please/thank you/excuse me and will share infront of people. But when they come home it changes. I don't know why.

What else do I do... I try to have some quality time with each just some one-on-one time. I also try to have a "me" day. You know spend a day myself no cares just go to a library or somewhere there were be no children and read a book, write, or just sleep.

With me the stress makes my stomach hurt and my Psoriasis flares up. So I try to just stay calm. If all else fails I send them to sleep they don't sleep but at least they know MOMMy needs a time out.

Also try to organize your day with a schedule. Mine is this:

They wake about 9.
They eat breakfast.
We sit and color for about 30mins.
Then we work on ABC and 123 30 mins.
Then we head out for a walk and sometimes we go to a lilttle park about an hour.
They come play then take a nap for an hour.
Then we go pick up Isaac from school.
We come home and have some computer time.
They watch tv for about an hour.
Dinnertime at 5 or 6.
Then we go for another walk or exercise just a little stretching and karate.
I get them to bed at 8 or 9.
We let them have their TV on for an hour.
That's it- except after school on Tuedays we go to Mc'D, Wednesdays- the park or mall, Thursdays my cousin and Friday to my mothers.

That's all, sorry so long.

Hope some of this helps,
L.

Remember to breathe.

Hang in there - stay consistent with then - follow through with punishments if they are threatened - they will grow out of it. My son was the same way and now he is a very well behaved 9 year old (with the exception that he LOVES to talk ALOT) :) Stay strong...it gets better!

I know the feeling mine are now almost 3 and 5...( birthdays coming up soon) and they can drive me nuts too. Sometimes, just a break helps. Maybe if you have a grandparent or some one you trust, let them stay over night. You might need a good nights rest, sometime for yourself.

Also there are moms day out programs that are fairly inexpensive ( like daycare) think it covers about 3hrs. Maybe hit the book store or go for a nature walk.

Stress often is the cause of such frustration, and its not always the kids. Job stress, marriage,money,or whatever gives you stress is just added by the kids sometimes.

DO not get me wrong at that age they are a handful but yours seems for the most part good....maybe you need a break

Friends are the family that you choose for yourself. You just need a good girlfriend to talk to. All mom's are impatient -- don't worry about it & I wouldn't tell you to find time for yourself because there is none. I would highly recommend a girlfriend -- just someone to vent. I am here if you need someone.