How to avoid turning into a fishwife...?

[DontGetIt]

Oh dear, think I'm a bit stressed at the mo. The background info is that I have a 2.6 DS1 and 7 month DS2. I am, I have to say, completely and totally knackered at the mo. DS1 is doing green eyed monster big style so I am working really hard to spend time with him...but blimey, he is sooooooo full on. Have to say, he was that before DS2 arrived so not surprising that hes a bit of a handful now I guess. If I so much as look at DS2 we get LOUD, WAAAAAAHHHH type behaviour, jumping on me, shouting in my or DSs face, driving toys hard into me etc. I can cope with that....what I can't cope with at the mo is trying to get him to do simple things eg get dressed, change his nappy and such like. He just politely says 'No thanks' and wanders off. If I insist, he runs away. If I follow he goes to the other side of the room and finds a toy oh so terribly fascinating that he just has to play with. If I say eg 'Well then Mummy will go back donwstairs if you wont get dressed' he ignores me. When I do get up to leave the room he leaps up and rushes over and suddenly wants to comply. Until of course I say OK then in which case, repeat above.

Well, this week I have started to shout...actually it was a bellow today. Not nice, and not helpful. I hate it. But being ignored appears to really get to me, and he seems to know this. Pleeeeease, any tips or suggestions on how to handle this before the neighbours think I've lost it...?

[colander]

Wow - he's a clever chap! I thought we were supposed to ignore the kids, not the other way around!

I think try playing him at his own game as much as you can - ignore him when he ignores you and lavish loads of attention on DS2. Follow up any threats you make as well. I'm sure you're doing that already anyway. Best of luck.

BTW, I was sounding like a right fishwife this morning - DD2 insists on putting on her own shoes (2.5yo) which is fine, but we were running late for school. She had nearly done one, then DD1 tried to help her, so DD2 took shoe off to start again "on my ooooowwwwwnnnn". I shouted, then opened the front door to find my neighbour grinning at me

Best of luck!

[DontGetIt]

Thanks Colander. Forgot to mention the 'Cuddle please, cuddle please' cries and sobbing when I do ignore him or walk away....he is always a step ahead of me it seems!!!