I am the eldest of 3 and while I didn't have an awful childhood my mum had her moments.

She didn't have it easy as my dad worked away all week, she couldn't drive and there wasn't alot of money around. But as a result she was very tired and short tempered.

I am lucky enough not to have the issues she did but I am still worried that having 3 might make me too tired to cope.

Am I just making excuses - probably!!!

Oh my goodness, you are me!!!! I am the eldest of three and although I too did not have an awful childhood my mother clearly found three hard and was grumpy and critical most of the time. We have 2 dcs and I can not make up my mind as to whether to have a third i do not want to become my mother too!

I don't think it is to do with the number of children you have, i think it is more to do with your personality and mindset. For instance I have just 2 and yet I am still grumpy and short tempered , whereas friends who have more children than me are laid back - because that is their personality iyswim?

i am turning into my mother irrespective of what I do or how many DCs I have.
grumpy & critical - yep, that's me

In my case it is my father I am turning into - arrggghhhhhh!

Oh god. Maybe I should just give in to it now and start yelling 'do you think this is a hotel' or 'do you want a smack' !!!!

I feel better just knowing I am not the only one to feel like this

.....how about "I might as well do it myself" and never "thank you for trying"

What about that old classic 'because I say so'!!