Children CONSTANTLY talking andsometimes i can't handle it

[lovelyconverse123]

I am at home full time on mat leave, with at 4.5, 3.3 year old and a 5.5 month old. I am back to work in jan 2016. I have just told them to stop talking to me cos mummy has a headache and I want silence. I feel bad but the noise, talking, demands, request are literally NON STOP from when they get up in the morning, until (finally go to bed at about 8.30). I do take them out for walks, to the playground, but its very difficult trying to push big buggy and keep the other 2 close by, as there is a busy road all around where we live. sometimes I sit outside in the garden when they play on the green but this isn't always possible and I feel they're too young to be out alone. TV keeps them quiet but im conscious of having it on too much, so I generally try and save it for when I'm really at the end of my tether. it helps when my OH comes home in the evening, but that just splits in two so I'm still getting it. I cant go into another room cos they just follow me. AIBU to have told them to stop talking to me and have any of you done the same ?

Probably. My 3 year old doesn't stop talking, unless he's watching TV. He's been talking since he was 1 so I've had two years of a running commentary. He talks to everybody. I love him but life is not quiet.

Oh yes. Sometimes my head is just full and I can't take any more! I am an introvert though, I know it. Fortunately DD1 is showing signs of introversion too. DD2 I just have to hope will grow into moments of quiet one day.

Think yourself lucky,my daughter cannot speak & probably never will,she's eight.
I'd love to hear her chattering away.

lovelyconvers, sounds like you need more adult conversation yourself! Are there any toddler groups or anything near you? Any friends you can meet up with during the day?

Yes if course I have

I only have one the constant asking questions is draining and I can no longer just reply mmm that's interesting or oh really as his little lectures are followed by question and answer time

He caught me mumbling oh please just shut up and asked who I was taking to I lied another terrible thing to do apparently and told him I was talking to the cat da just carried on with another fascinating lecture on minecraft/Star Wars/arsenal players

Do they not go to nursery?

I feel your pain. I'm introverted and need regular periods of peace and quiet for my sanity. I get a sort of pressure and ringing in my ears when I've had enough! Mine are older than yours. It gets easier as they start to read or get into playing little games by themselves. 'Use' the TV time to read a book or just close your eyes and daydream. Even just 10 minutes every few hours can help.

Whathejeff of course I love them and they are my life. I'm just saying sometimes the constant noise wears me out. Chicken I am sorry to hear that about your daughter. I know I am immeasurably luck really. we're relatively new to a rural area so at the mo i don't have any friends. which is why i'm going to toddler group for 3 hours once a week. maybe I just don't have much patience but they can be demanding sometimes. eldest in school 9.30 - 12.30 & middle in cr??che same time frame. gotta go, they're down making angel delight now, cos I didn't do it immediately when they asked me. groan.

Where did I question you didn't love them?

jeff my interpretation of your post was that even though your son is a chatterbox you still love him. I interpreted it as I should too. clearly I got the wrong end of the stick and for this I apologise. you obviously didn't mean it that way. I guess a consequence of the constant noise/questions is that I'm so frazzled and my head is spinning I don't process things properly .

I hear you OP.

I have three (11,5 and 2). The 5 yo talks incessantly and the 2yo shows signs of going the same way. I regularly ask them to be quiet or (when nearer end of teather) tell them I can't bear it any more or (when actually at end of teather) set my iPhone alarm for five minutes time and tell them no one is to speak until it goes off

Screen time helps. Sometimes I think a bit of screen is preferable to me getting ratty with them. I need quieter moments in my day and DH often comes home (after they're all in bed) and asks why I don't have the tv or music on. My answer is always that I'm enjoying listening to the silence.

I adore my boys but like you there are times when I really can't handle the constant chatter (whilst acknowledging that I am blessed to have healthy cheerful children). It really does your head in at times!

I had to tell Ds1 that I was going to turn the radio up and listen to it rather than him while I was driving. I was utterly talked out. My mum used to tell me to stop, but I feel guilty doing it to him as he's under SALT. It's great that he's finally found his voice and the balance of conversation is no longer me making empty prattle with him making a monosyllabic response, but even so, my ears and brain sometimes need a rest.

could you put the tv on after lunchtime for a period, so you get a lunch break.

It really does help the afternoon go better if you are refreshed.

I'm the same. I sometimes need five minutes of complete silence to pull myself together.

Are the older kids (or at least the eldest) not at school / nursery?

We called it the Wimbledon wet weather commentary stage

My two were addicted to audiobooks and if you put one on they'd both fall silent and play quietly while listening. It's worth a go!

Don't stress about it. I've only got 1 DS (5.5) but he drives me mad with his constant talking sometimes.

I have been known to tell him to stop talking because he's just talking for the sake of it and other such things I remember my DM saying to me. I do spend a lot of time talking to him and listening to what he has to say but sometimes he does just talk drivel for the sake of it.

Chickens - I think that's a but unfair. I have a 13 year old with a very severe language deficit but I still find myself wishing my 6 year old, who never stops talking or singing would be quiet sometimes!

I was just thinking the same. I've been home all day with the relatively quiet 10 day old baby. Dp and Ds came in about an hour ago and neither of them have stopped talking and asking me questions. Argh!

I hear you, OP! People who meet our DC in full flow say to us "oh, aren't they articulate!", which frankly is code for "they never stop talking, do they....?" DS has even started talking in his sleep...

My mum used to say to me "isn't your tongue tired?"

I'd stick it out, look at it & say "no!".

When she went to the loo & shut the door I'd sit outside chattering to her

My school reports always said how quiet I was.

Used to get it all out at home I guess!

I'm sure I've told my two to be quiet.

Puzzles/drawing so that they have to concentrate a bit?

I'm there too, just as DD2 is finding her voice, DD1 has forgotten how to talk and SHOUTs constantly.

I remember the feeling!

Then when youngest went to school, I had to buy a radio as tge house was so quiet!

Can't they go to playgroup for a few hours a day?

Oh how I sympathise with you OP. My 2.5 year old said this afternoon "I'm being a chatterbox today aren't I mum?" Understatement of the year! I went and cleaned my bedroom just for 5 minutes peace until she noticed out I'd walked out the room. There are no activities that keep her quiet.

I'm a foster carer and the biggest change I had to get used to when 2 children came to live with me is having to talk and listen to others talking constantly! I never realised how much I appreciate peace and quiet until I didn't have it anymore! I do love them dearly but it is very wearing!