I know I am being unreasonable but cant stop myself!

[notahappycamper]

I am fed up. I dont get any time for myself. I took the children to church and as I spoke to someone I was pulled at, tugged at, pushed, tapped upon etc. I snapped at my middle one "I am speaking to an adult" so she ran off crying. I was then told by the adult that my child is only little (she is almost 6) and I was too harsh. All 3 then came out with crisps and cakes without paying for them. I had already told them not to have anything as they never eat their lunch then. I have now banned the TV and computer and they are wondering around the house. It is pouring so they cant go out.
I dont want to take the youngest to a party later today. My H will look after the 2 eldest. I just want to run away from everyone and not come back.
I cant stop being cross at the kids. Help!

I often feel like that. It is normal. Tell your DH you need some time out and ask if he minds if you go out for an hour to cool off.

Sounds like a stressful day, no wonder you're feeling wound up. I don't blame you at all for snapping, IMO at 6 a child should understand that if a parent is talking they need to stay quiet or occupy themselves quietly while they wait. Is discipline a problem?

It is normal. Tell your DH you are off out for an unspecified time and will be back when you are good and ready.

If the children have eaten crisps and biscuits lunch can be an hour or so later anyway - the sky wont fall in if its later this week.

And almost 6 is not too little to understand that their mother is not to be constantly at their beck and call.

Oohh - have been there, done that (though not with 3 dc)! Sympathies!

One small word of advice for future: when you are thinking of consequences for bad behaviour, make sure you don't choose something that will be a punishment for you too (no telly or computer on a rainy day, for example). Far better to send to bed early, ban sweets/puddings, etc. That should send a message, but also give you some downtime too.

Sorry, where did the crisps and cakes come from? A shop? The church? You can nip that one in the bud - especially if you are taking them home for lunch.

I used to hate taking the DCs to parties. I'd ask DH to do it and I'd stay at home with other two and let them watch something half decent on the tv while I tried to chill out a bit.

Oh I hate adults who scowl at you for disciplining your own children.
One mum used to give me such looks for shouting at DD2,
DD2 was the cutest angelic looking child you could wish to meet. She also knew it and could be a total madam.

IMO you were totally correct in saying that to your 6yo. You were speaking to another person, and the polite thing for her to do would either be wait til you are finished, or say excuse me. As she did neither, what you said was totally justifiable. The adult who criticized you either lets her kids run amok or doesn't remember having kids of that age. Maybe, once things have calmed down, go through the 'when Mum is talking to someone, you need to wait til she's finished to speak to her, unless it's an emergency' thing.

I hope you went in and paid for the treats they toook mind!

You were nbu to tell your child off for interrupting, I do that with ds1 and he's 3!

It sounds like you need a bit of a break, can you ask DH to look after them for a bit so you can go out for some r n r? Maybe make it a regular thing so you know that you will get some time off?

did you know the woman who told you off? I hope you knew her very well if she took the liberty to do that.

It's ok to be cross and, although snapping isn't ideal, hardly surprising. Also the cakes/crisps etc - why not snatch them out of their hands (as snapping and snatching go hand in hand ) and make it clear that you have said that isn't permissible which means IT ISN'T. Did the teller-offer intimidate you to not enforce discipline with your own kids?

A break is definitely needed, I'm taking a guess here but are you a SAHM OP?

I miss conversations with adults which don't involve disciplining a child in the middle of a conversation, even on a good day.

Wen you take your youngest to the party can you leave them there unaccompanied and nip off for a little you time? I love nipping off for a coffee every now and again, and to enjoy a hot drink (and a book if handy) in peace.

Most parents have been there, and you sound just like the rest of us :)

I sympathise completely, am a single parent with one DS who often interrupts, I now have a scowl which silences him. Though he was winding me up so much yesterday wilst out shopping, that when stopped by a charity canvasser I said "the way I am feeling today I will be donating a child" I obviously looked bonkers as the canvasser shook my and and wished me a better day! I did have to explain to my DS that I was joking (felt mean but sometimes I really DO feel like that).

Why does your church give you cake and crisps and mine doesn't ?

I bark GROWN UPS TALKING at DD, couldn't care less if people give me odd looks. Don't worry about them.

Go for a walk on your own, fast as you can. It helps.

Don't be too hard on yourself-it just sounds like a particularly bad day-not helped by the weather. Try and get some time just for you.