any handy tips for controlling behaviour of 2/6 and 4yrs

[babybear5]

Has anyone having similar problems to me? I have a ds who is 2/6 and dd who is 4. Seperately their behaviour is really good..together..nightmare! They wind each other up, run riot round house and listen to absolutely nothing i say to them. I have tried time out, withdrawing treats etc but they find it funny. Am i being to stressed bout this? I have 5 children, one with learning difficulties and the youngest being 6mth so this gets me down everyday...can anyone offer any suggestions please..

I have 2.2 and 3.11 - they are a bloody nightmare sometimes. Here's what helps me:

(1) Encourage quiet sedate pursuits they love but which are low stress for you (do not stress about mess obviously) - painting/colouring is good here. They will both sit and do artwork (with varying levels of skill).
(2) Tire the little buggers out - soft play centres are designed for giddy tots. We have found a small one at our local swimming pool, I sit and do sudoku and they wear themselves out. Then feed them stodgy food afterwards, they can't be arsed to argue.
(3) 'I have lost' - mummy cannot find X - I wonder who can find it first. I have lost six smarties every day for a week and they still haven't noticed the pattern - but it's kept them going for up to an hour each time!
(4) Praise good behaviour in the older one as 'setting a good example' and in the younger one as 'really being a big boy'. This seems to work unreasonably well.

Oh and remember they grow up eventually. :)

hello...i love your name!!! lol x
Thanks for that advice. It great to hear from another mum with such down to earth advice lol..made me giggle as you obviously know what i am going through. I will definately try stodgy food as they are always eating!!! and i think the smartie idea will go down a treat...when they eventually find them
Can't wait to try out your suggestions