To say that children really fray my nerves

[Ouchy]

Is this just me?

Mine are nearly 7 and 10.

I’m constantly watching what I say so I don’t accidentally say the wrong thing
Constantly breaking up arguments between them
Constantly fielding snack requests
Constantly have someone trying to negotiate how much screen time they should be allowed
I don’t have all the answers!!
Managing others’ emotions
Instilling table manners, tidy habits, personal care habits

I know a lot of this is just parenting but OMG!!!!! It’s better in the summer....

Mine shredded the card I gave him for his birthday because I put him on timeout . I don't know what I am doing most days but I feel like I am raising an emotionally damaged child. I am a failure

@maginachevalier I thought this about my first. Turned out he is just very highly strung and can have a temper on him. I wasn’t doing anything wrong and I bet you aren’t either

You’re absolutely not being unreasonable. My own kids are frustrating enough at times but what really frays my mind is other peoples’ kids running riot in cafes. Even worse when the parents look around at everyone like it’s the cutest thing ever.

@likeafishneedsabike he's only 7 though . It floored me how he put so much thought into hurting me because he was being told off . Thank you for your kind words

We don’t negotiate screen time any more. When dd was 7 I got so fed up with the whining and unwillingness to get away from screens I got her to sign a contract which set out the exact amount of screen time she was entitled to, and what she had to have completed first. Knowing what to expect meant that she didn’t waste energy on whinging after that. 2 years later we’re still going strong.

Yess this is my thread. Winter is sooo much harder! Summer you can just have them outside till bedtime! I had them out today but even wrapped up super well they will eventually get cold!!

Yes. Mine are 9 and 6. We're on holiday and they are wearing me to a fucking shred.

Me too! Currently in the thick of it with a 3 year old and teething 6 month old. Literally never hated life more 😫

11 & 8 DS here and they have broken me today, well to be fair the youngest. He's currently playing bank attack (noisiest game ever) and I should be grateful he's busy but my nerves are shredded. Neither is allowed to stay up tonight now due to poor behavior, so will commence bedtime battle in a bit.

It is very much just parenting life. I am in the fortunate position where DP takes my DC away three times a year for a few days and they gave just got back today after leaving the day after boxing day. They are still trying my brain with their shit though!

They have just got back and are trying my brain!

@thedocisin I feel your pain... I've spent all day wrangling my 2.5 yr old away from my teethy, pissed-off 5 month old. He's been 'helping' her by shouting "STOP CRYING OK?" in her face all fucking afternoon.

I haven't drank in about a year & plan on pouring myself a bucket glass of Red wine as soon as he kindly buggers off to bed.

Also, I've been telling myself it will get much easier as they grow up.. so could everyone else here with older kids stop being so bloody honest?!

I've spent 4 years trying to have a baby. 3 failed cycles and 1 miscarriage. But you know, this thread is actually making me feel slightly better.
Sometimes I think a child is The Key To Happiness. It's good to be reminded they're not.

The everytime your bum hits the sofa they always want something.

The talking in absolute detail about the latest obsession for an hour when I just want peace.

The continuous 'I can't get to sleep' every 5 bloody minutes!

I have to say my 2 are absolute angels but it is hard work looking after them!

I wish I was a parent from the 1980s when you could ignore them all day, let them play out or leave them in a car with a packet of crisps while you sat in the pub

@PreggoFeminist86 I think i'll join you with my own giant bucket of gin 😭

I've got a 24 year old daughter
A 15 year old son
And a 5 year old daughter so I thought I had been through everything a kid could throw at me 😂
But omg the five year old is just something else 🙄
She constantly presses my buttons and most days I could happily give her away 😩
But then she does something adorable and all is forgiven lol

7 and 10 can both be quite difficult ages, so you've got some unfortunate timing there, OP. I suspect that all parents find their children really annoying at times, but not everyone feels able to say so.
I hope it eases soon for you.

Omg I totally agree OP. My DD is 5 we have had some real trouble with her the last few months, but she is just starting to get better, she will listen and help now and is actually a joy to be with now when one on one, my DS is 2 and is just starting the terrible 2's he is a nightmare, he is a one man wrecking ball, 5 minutes in the front room and it looks like we have been robbed. All this used to be the other way round until the last couple of months, my DD was the difficult one and my DS was really sweet and easy, they have completely switched now. The only thing that hasn't changed is that my DD can talk the hind legs off a donkey. 🤦‍♀️

Child free and so happy I don't ever need to deal with this!
champagne tout le monde.

Mine are almost 7 and almost 11. I am utterly sick to death of the bickering. They constantly one up each other, cannot both get ready upstairs at the same time because it will end in an argument and getting breakfast is just a challenge I cant deal with anymore.

I really levelled with my 10 year old last night and said how unhappy the arguing makes me and that he is old enough to rise above the goading. He got upset which was needed really. Today has been better but I've been at work most of it.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

“What s the time mummy?"
"Its 7.30 dd"
"Errr no actually mammy it's 7.32"

FUCK OFFFFFFFFFF

😂

Mine are 12 and 14. Eldest wants to constantly bother the youngest with hugs and the youngest attacks him instead of saying “please dont bother me.” They have always been like this and I doubt it will change. Also youngest constantly asking for food - at least he’s old enough for me to say “help yourself”

2.5 yo spent the entire day tantrumming as usual. 10 yo withdraws because she can’t be arsed with his tantrums. Cannot be bothered with it anymore