My girls are usually best of friends and really well behaved. Three weeks into school holidays they are physically fighting (well the odd sly punch from the littlest one) as well as constant bickering. They are also in the habit of questioning everything I ask of them.
We can be out and they will ask if they can we have an ice cream. I may say no if it's nearly lunchtime. Cue whinges, pleads, ten minutes of constant questioning about that decision. They are not short of ice cream type treats this holiday, just not every time we see a bloody van (they are everywhere!!!!). And repeat for everything they ask for which is declined - they do and have lots, but I don't say yes to everything obviously.
When we are leaving to go out or leaving a venue/activity, despite warning them that we're going in ten (then 5, then 2) minutes, they inevitably ignore me, employ delay tactics, ignore instructions, fanny around and generally not do as asked.
They have loads of activities on, they have no excuse to be bored, we don't tolerate bad manners or bad behaviour, but I am absolutely at my wits end. The threat of withdrawing activities and treats (ie cinema trip with friends, horse riding day etc) is a double edged sword because if they don't do activities I'm going to go bloody mad.
I work but have the summer off so we are together 24/7, activities aside, so no reprieve really, but even my husband is pulling his hair out at their low level bad behaviour in the evenings - they piss about at bath time, teeth time etc. I am being far more shouty and cross than I like, and I don't like the parent this situation is turning me into.
How can I increase my waning patience levels? What can I do to knock this constant, low level ignoring of adult requests on the head? And what do I do about the constant bickering apart from buy them boxing gloves and leave them to it? Is anyone else in the same boat?
And breathe.
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AIBU?
AIBU to be absolutely at the end of my tether with the holiday bickering and backchat?
10 replies
inlovewithhubby · 09/08/2016 12:59
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