AIBU to stay in today? I'm sick of the squabbling.

[JockTamsonsBairns]

Most kids are happy and excited at this time of year, right? Not mine. The abject misery which has prevailed in this house since this morning is quite breathtaking. Dh is away this weekend, and I had quite a nice day planned for us - but I've just told them we are now staying in on account of their behaviour. To say that's worsened the mood is an understatement. I can't say I'm filled with joy at the thought of being indoors with them til bedtime, but I want them to know I'm not tolerating the fighting, crying, and grassing each other up every two minutes.

I'm imagining other families today, fun-filled days of laughter and excitement, and I'm wondering how it's all gone so wrong for us.

Ds is 6 and Dd is nearly 5.

Try putting them in seperate rooms for 5 or 10 minutes,and they cant communicate to each other. That can help.

I encouraged mine to grass each other up. That meant I knew what ech of them was doing and up to. And gave me a chance to sort it out.

Ha to the fun-filled days of laughter and excitement. Sometimes but definitely not all the time

feel for you op mine have played up last 6weekends in row husbands worked and some days its been hell except i have 3squabblig.

Some of the weekends i took them out did xmasy things ended up drained.

even walk home on pm school run starts row.

today they whiney and making mess husbands off and was planning nice day as family but decided i need a break leaving them with husband and going shopping wit mate for my own sanity I need a break.

They are probably sir crazy. I dont envy you, mine absolutely loathed each other at that age. Take them to the park for a good blow out

I don't think you're alone. I don't have kids but I went into town 2 Saturdays ago and it was full of tantrumming children! I remember thinking 'good luck parents if this is what you'll be dealing with all the way up to Christmas! '

I'd go to the park too and make them run a few laps then home to a dvd marathon whilst you sip on wine

My Mum always said "No-one like a clype dear." The injustice used to infuriate me. Now, I get it.

Yes, stay in. Separate rooms until they can be civil. If you have any Christmas crafty type stuff, that could be a reward for good behaviour later.

I think it's something to do with christmas! Mine have been like that for the last week or so, and I remember this from previous years. Even my 18mo ds3 is grumpy.

Don't have too many expectations of how things "should" be; even the families who appear perfect will have some crap times too!

One they tried because it is the end of term .
Two they excited because it is Christmas .

Take them out...staying in will probably make them worse. No where special...just the park maybe to burn off the energy.

Children and animals need plenty of exercise otherwise they whine and get on your nerves, I'd take them to a park and let them run all their energy off.

And I can't bear tell tales unless someone is hurt

It's a mixture of end-of-term tiredness and Christmas excitement.

I had to google 'clype' but yes, clyping gets right on my tripe, especially when it's every bloody two minutes.

Mine bicker more than they get on (and there's three of them so more bickering combinations available). However I agree with pp that they'll do your head in more being stuck in and you're punishing yourself more than them! I make mine wrap up and come out for a dog walk - they moan like mad at the thought of it but it's usually much better once we get out in the open. Just a walk to the shops or the park can break the cycle.