To suspect that a decent mother could cope alone for 24 hours?

[stillfrazzled]

Dh away till tomorrow. Both boys have been awake and noisy since 5.30 am.

ds1 (4.6yo) doesn't listen to a bloody word I say, rolls his eyes when I tell him off and will be surly and naughty later because he's tired.

Ds2 (1yo) is knackered and beside himself.

I am being a grumpy bitch and I hate myself for it.

My parents coming later, which will be lovely for kids and a break for me, but an already nervous because they are 'everything can be solved with a cuddle' GPs (bloody weren't as parents!) and after a big bust up this summer I am paranoid about disciplining in any way in front of them in case they think I'm some awful abusive cow.

Am going to put ds2 down for nap and snivel in the loo for a bit. Cannot help but feel a good mother would be doing much better than this.

You are doing ok. I find it really hard when dh is away.

Mother-with-many-strategies-no-outside-interference-and-stiff-brandy could probably cope.
How about a trip to the park with hands-on grandparenting and you with a book, letting them bond?

have a sit back and get your breath back.

Irish coffee? Excellent suggestion.

1 year olds are like wild untameable beasts at times :o

Gorgeous, but impossible. And you can't take you eyes off them for a minute.

I can't claim to be a decent mother, but I find looking after my pair quite overwhelming :)

Having someone else there makes it seem easier.

Give yourself a break. :)

Gosh, I only have one and I often struggle to think how I will get through to bedtime. God luck with the GPs.

Some days are just always like that. Leave the vacuum by the front door, and say you were just about to run it round.

Ask 4 yr old to work on a picture to give to grandparents... keep him occupied

Could you ask parents to take 4 yr old to park, while you get sorted?

And 1 yr old in pram for some fresh air

We all feel like this sometimes, you are doing fine.

I know exactly what you mean about GPs. My mother was a hardnosed tyrant as a mother but has berated me several times for being too harsh on my own dc.

I truly think you have to ignore it - parent as you see fit and remind yourself that a) GPs have rose coloured specs and selective memory regarding their own parenting styles and b) they are there to provide the cuddles and treats so see it as a useful complement to the necessary discipline you provide.

Take care

Get out of the house, head to the park and get some fresh air. 4 year old can run around and one year will be contained and hopefully sleep. Drives me mad staying in when children are playing up and day will go so much more quickly.

Leave GPs in front room with DC's while you cook/busy yourself in kitchen.

Let them get on with it.

Hopefully they can solve it all with cuddles,but it'll be interesting to watch what they do if they can't.

Remember its easier for them.
2 people=2 laps.

You need to nip your 4 year old's behaviour in the bud. Have a quiet word with your parents beforehand as a heads up, then talk to them about his behaviour whilst he's there. Have them show shock and displeasure at a little boy being so cheeky. He thinks he's getting away with it - that needs to stop.

agree with yummy it's a lovely day today, a trip to the playground will make everyone feel much better.

Thank you for the support sniff wibble.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with delusional parents/Gps!

AIBU to be secretly quite glad when ds1 plays them up and to think 'go on then, demonstrate this magic cuddle' even though they are actually lovely and do loads for us?

Sorry OP,meant to say "when they can't"

or even better still, send your parents to the playground with the dc and have a lie-down while they are away.

Good luck. Horrid isn't it, there's something particularly bleak about parenting solo at the weekends I find. I agree it all goes much better out of the house though

I wouldn't take criticism from GPs lying down. If they were completely different as parents, then there's no harm in laughing off their comments and saying 'as I recall, you didn't say that when I was a child'. Or even having a more serious chat about their criticism upsetting you and that it's all very well for them to take a more relaxed view but they will be going home and leaving you with 2 children that you are trying to bring up properly.

If you can, get the GPs to take them out, so you can have a rest.