to ask how you deal with all the screaming, tapping, banging, picking, throwing

[girlwhowearsglasses]

Entailed in having three small boys..? (5, 5, 7)

I really feel I'm having sensory overload. I'm trying to be lighthearted about it - please make me feel better.

I was awoken at 5.30am yesterday and they did not go to bed until 10pm. my ears are ringing from screeching in my ear. if they sit down they are permanently rhythmically banging, tapping, teeth grinding, making repetitive noises, and so on. When I read them a story they are kicking, picking noses, making 'boy noises'. When in the bathroom they are splashing, screaming, jumping and trying to choke themselves on their toothbrushes. They are for the most part normal (one currently poss ADHD - in the system for assessment, but the others not).

I must say I often feel like lying down in a quiet room. I almost never feel like playing music nowadays.. Anyone else? Of course helps, sometimes....

Thanks for helpful posts all. No bunfights pls re: boys and girls, I'm just coming to terms with what nature has dealt me - and it's boisterous, whatever flavour.

Wind down has, of course been tried, but as Iseeyou says, the escalation potential when you have three very close in age is enormous. I spend every afternoon trying to not let them play together long enough to get in a fight. When they are together its like a saucepan with popcorn in it and the lid sometimes flies off.....

Gosh I've just got the one boy and his noise levels are permanently at 11!!! I might try the meditation mentioned above. Though he is a crap sleeper and gets horribly grumpy because he always wakes himself up really early, and chats for England at bedtime :-/
Hope you find a solution op

I just wanted to add that I sometimes lie on the floor in the dark next to DD when doing the meditation thing. I have been known to fall asleep faster than her .

Update:

Obs not much change, but lolly I bought the Enchanted meditation CD and they did actually lie down and do it. It's a lovely CD and I recommend it.

Also the website for relaxing kids is good. I must tell you that DS1 lay down and did the meditation excercise, and just to make the point to me he jumped up and started bouncing on the bed as soon as I finished : but he did go to sleep afterwards! Actions speak loudest I guess....
Thanks all

It feels so good to have new ideas IME - even if they don't solve the problem 100%, just having some different options to try can be a real boost when I feel like I have run out of steam.

Ah I hear you OP. I have four boys!! Although, having had number five who is a tornado child a spirited DD, I am not convinced that it is entirely a boy thing!

Are you following through on all the usual strategies? Makes a world of difference vs nag nag nag nag blow stack.

What about staggering bedtime? the 5 year olds have story and bed whilst 7 yo showers? Might help to divide and conquer!

Oh god yes, divide and conquer all the way