To think I am a terrible mother?

[FidoAndHisBone]

We have three DC's, DD(6) is the eldest and she is quite strong willed.

Although she is generally well behaved she behaved pretty badly this weekend, had a few meltdowns and we must have told her off about 10 times all together.

Last night she woke up at 9pm with a headache, she was really crying so I brought her downstairs, gave her some calpol and let her cuddle on the until she fell asleep then took her back to bed. She woke up again at midnight crying saying she had a sore earlobe.... I let her in our bed but she carried on crying, after 20 mins I was pretty tired and DS (18 months) was asleep in his cot and I ddin't want her to wake him so I snapped at her something along the lines of "Oh for gods sake shut up and go to sleep" ........

This morning DS (18 months) woke up at 5am.... DD started giggling loudly at him and I snapped at her again and nudged her with my foot.

I feel like I behaved unreasonably, can someone give me some perspective on this? She never sleeps in our bed btw.

Think you need an early night maybe. Not a bad mother, a frazzled one.

Er - you're tired, it happens. don't beat yourself up.

What do you mean by "nudged her with my foot"?

If you think that's what makes a bad mother then you better call SS on me now!

You're tired and fed up, give her a break and give yourself one! You're not a bad mother!

Ive done worse than that before because of sleep deprivation, (not hurting then though I need to point this out!) so really, dont worry. Its understandable, you're human.

hopkinette -She was lying next to me and I nudged her with my foot, I didn't kick her

As long as you only nudged her with your foot and didn't boot her with your foot I can't see a problem. It's not easy when you're tired.

How is she today???

Dropdeadfred - She's fine, absolutely fine and was sweetness and light until she went to school . She did tell me her earlobe was still sore so I took her temperature, which was fine and said if she felt ill at school then to tell the teacher. I called the school at lunchtime and they said she was fine.

No harm done then - you did give her comfort and medicine and let her sleep in your bed!!! That doesn't make you a bad mum - just a stresses and tired one

I think it's totally reasonable that a six-year-old should start finding out that her behaviour affects other people's feelings, and their behaviour. In a family, everyone has to help everyone else. Obviously you expect less from a six-year-old than a 40-year-old, but she still has to find out that there are consequences to her actions, including a ratty mummy.

Might be worthwhile, now it's all over, saying something along the lines of "Do you remember I got cross with you last night when you kept waking up? I get cross when I don't get enough sleep. That's why you need to be quiet when you're allowed in our bed/you need to sleep in your own bed/whatever you want the message to be."

Good luck for a decent night's sleep tonight!