Please tell me it gets easier...?

[mommathatwearspink]

Me and DP have two DC (4.5 & 19mo), they are amazing but we are really finding their current ages hard work. DD (4.5) is a lovely little girl but since starting school in September has starting back-chatting and having meltdowns. DS (18mo) has always been harder... he doesn’t sit still, no interest in tv and doesn’t really have any interest in toys... he just seems to want to be trying to get into mischief all the time and when he isn’t, he’s very whiny! We were really looking forward to a nice weekend but DD had a huge meltdown this morning and DS threw up everywhere this morning and hasn’t stopped crying all day. Please tell me it gets easier...

It does. As they get older, it becomes easier to reason with them.

At the ages yours are, consistency is the key. An 18 month old can't be reasoned with, all you can do is say a stern NO and remove them from the situation/take the item away. Even a 4 year old is pretty immune to reasoning. It takes time and effort, but you have to figure out what they respond to best and use that. For my two it was counting to 3, then consequences. I very rarely had to get to 3. Consequences were removal of privileges or loss of a treat. And no going back on it once you've decided the appropriate consequence.

My two learnt very early that whinging/tantrums/meltdowns get you nothing and nowhere. If we were out, it got them brought straight home, if we were at home it got them absolutely ignored. Once they'd calmed down, I would simply remind them that their behaviour didn't get them what they wanted, and to think about that the next time.

Meh. Every age has challenges.

Mine are 22 months apart (now 6 and almost 4). They are both in FT school now.

Then we went and had a 3rd (10months and registered disabled)

Some days are just meant for TV and pizza dinner (them) and wine (me!)

Yes. Mine are 5&4. The 4 year old is still in preschool and can be a liability. Doesn't listen and runs off.

The 5 year old is a dream since he went into y1. Reception he was very like you're describing but y1 has been like a switch flicked and he just gets it now. We still have bad days where the 4yo plays up and he joins in but in general he's a dream. I cannot wait for the 4yo to be in y1!!