Thought I'd post here as people might have some empathy.
As the title says I feel totally defeated by my kids. They are 9,6,4 and 21 months. The last one has been hard work. She didn't sleep for a long time and is a complete whirlwind. I feel like I can't do anything; going for a shower, to the toilet, clearing up after breakfast - everything gets interrupted by crying, arguing or just general wants. The kids have their own rooms and a playroom yet they still trash the rest of the house. This morning I went to put a load of washing on and they were colouring in the study but they'd decided to "decorate" a box I had left in there. It was a box I needed to keep for work and now it's ruined. Not the end of the world I know but the study is a work space not their space. I feel like I can never do anything nice with them as I always have too many jobs to get to that point. I ask the older ones to help out but unless I am stood over them things don't get done properly. I am just so frustrated by it all.
They are lovely, lovely kids. I know it's me that is mainly the problem but I don't know how to get my patience back.
Anyone else feel like this?
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Defeated by my children
jenniferalisonphillipasue · 28/08/2014 09:00
You mean people can relax?! Who knew such a thing. Such a foreign word! I sit down and I am jumped on, proded, asked to play, break up arguments, pump milk, bf baby after baby, cook, clean, tidy, walk the dog.
To save my sanity I have "quiet time" kids are in their rooms for 45 minutez and are not allowed out, they can sleep, play, watch TV, whatever etc as long as they don't come out. I've learnt to lock certain doors (I eventually want to not lock doors and learn them about trust) and keep important things outta reach especially DH's briefcase and paperwork 
.
Some days I want to cry but I find myself laughing instead because I created this little army that likes to overrun me!
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We have little 'hook and eye' type locks high up on doors to most upstairs rooms except their bedroom - I lock them out of those rooms if they are playing upstairs. But to be honest if its not bolted down, welded on or 5 foot off the ground (my eldest is 4yrs, so still small) its wrecked, whatever it is. Standards have dropped! I love a clean house, I'd like to decorate a bit, have a few things that are my own, get out of the house now and then! But ive gotten quite used to being taken over I guess. On the ling list of tjings that you are (bum wiper, laundry girl, cook, cleaner, clothes buyer, penny watcher, etc etc...) I find my own name far down the list. I set small targets, time wise (like gettin through summer hols) or about the house.
But look, theres no magic solution. Time, I guess. But you have my sympathy! I'd say routine and consistent discipline (neither of which I am great at) are probably what pays off best. For the littlest one, time (and 
for you)
You have my sympathy, I have 5 kids, 9, 7, 5, 3, and 10 months, and I have exactly the same thing with them going into my room and ruining stuff, going into their own rooms and destroying stuff, the 5 and 3 year olds are the worst, sudo cream, sharpies, screwdrivers, shaving foam and washing powder have been this weeks tools of destruction, I have also had to put hook and eye locks on the top of all the bedrooms to stop them going into each other's rooms and ruining stuff, and I can never leave the living room as even the baby is a Houdini climbing tornado!
, even with a stair gate on the door, the others open it and she gets up the stairs...
My 11mo twin who has been exploring for weeks has finally figured out how to open drawers and cupboards. I'm really fussed as anything dangerous/breakable etc is kept in the top cupboards... it's just the tidying up bit I hate when they've finished having fun!
4 of the DC are now in school/nursery, so I only have 2 at home and it's wonderful :)
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