Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Thrown a bigger tantrum than my DS and dropped him off at my mums

18 replies

iwantanafternoonnap · 15/12/2012 15:39

I have just lost it while dropping my DS (3) at my mothers earlier than expected because I can't cope any more with DS tantrums, refusal to do anything I ask without me asking 6-7 or more times and then having to shout at him to do it and this is after I have taken toys away, put him on the naughty step, put a cross on his reward chart. Nothing works!!

I feel like I am shouting all day, every day and that my days are filled with him whinging and whining from the minute he wakes up to when he goes to bed and all I here is 'I want' 'no I will not do that''never never never' in between hitting, punching, kicking and now even spitting at me.

Believe it or not he can be a really sweet, loving, funny and very happy child just not with me. Everything is difficult and challenging.

I am tired, fed up and not coping with it all. This has been going on now for over a year and a half and it doesn't seem to get any better. I am at the stage now where I don't actually like spending time with him. Tried playful parenting for a short time but frankly I don't have the energy/time to spend 4 hours getting a pair of socks on!!

What can I do? I burst into tears at my mums house when I told her he wasn't to have any treats because his behaviour is appalling and she replied that 'no wonder he behaves badly if you get yourself in that state' 'your the adult and his mother he's like that because of you'

I know I am being a shit parent, I know I am not doing it right or he would be behaving better for me but what should I be doing???

Please Help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
skratta · 15/12/2012 16:37

You're probably behaving like that because you're so tired, exhausted etc; You're not a shit parent. You might need help with coping, and with dealing with his behaviour and your emotions, but you recognise you need help, and you obviously want to deal with it and be the best parent you can- struggling parent, yes, shit parent, not as much. And I've had shit parents, and if I knew they'd been trying to make it work for me and them, then I'd feel a lot better, as it was, they didn't care.

Can you make it a more regular thing (ie, your mum comes round to your house or vice versa once a week for the whole evening, and then pick him up either next day or in the evening, so you can get a more routine thing. I know a lot of people think children do often need a set routine, in a way, parents do to. If you're struggling, it can help to think that next evening you can watch TV on the sofa in your dressing gown and not have to worry. Of course it might not be possible. Or, if you can afford it, a childminder or something.

Do you work full time, part time, a WAHM, a SAHM? All of them can affect how you feel.

If you are a SAHM, getting someone to sit (who's not your mother, although she might have the best intentions, she's not being as helpful as she could be, although it's great she's helping look after him) him a few evenings a week, or even more (if you can afford it- for instance, I possibly could, but I would have to change a lot of things and probably work more hours, right into the evenings, so it might not be possible for you, but if you can afford it, it's a great option) because it can be very stressful dealing with a grumpy three year old all day, and can be very stifling. Just going out shopping, meeting friends, going swimming or something will obviously be useful. If you work, then you might be feeling (like I normally am) a bit stressed and tired after a hard day's work, so maybe instead of coming straight home, if it's an option, you could spend an hour doing something, or even twenty-thirty minutes, stopping at the library or eating something at a cafe, if you can do it, means you get some time to stop, think and relax before dealing with the stresses of having a three year old.

Have you considered parenting classes? There seems to be some sort of phobia almost about them, but they can be really useful, they aren't just a thing where bad parents get sent, they can give great coping tips, help, good discussions and support, and (as I work with children, I've helped out at a few of them with parents just like you) can tell you if there's anything else which can help.

Goodluck!

iwantanafternoonnap · 16/12/2012 11:33

Thank you. My mum is great normally and she has him while I work and that is a lot already as I work full time and over half of that is night shifts but I have been off all week on annual leave so you'd think I would be less tired. I would just kill for a bit of time to myself to do something for me which I know is selfish and that I had a child so I should just enjoy my time with him but I don't really get a break any other time (work is a break to me and I work in city hospital A and E!!) as I am a single parent and I don't think that helps. Luckily he starts nursery in Jan so hopefully having that few hours break on a monday and weds will help me be less stress.

I struggle with dealing with the constant demands and the fact he nevers listens and just carries on whatever it is I am asking him not to do. I am not a natural parent unfortunately and I lose patience and then feel like crap and feel guilty. I am going to try and contact my HV and ask about those parenting courses because it isn't fair on my DS and not good for me either.

Just off to pick him up as I did have a rare night out last night with friends and feel much better today.

OP posts:
Whatistodaysname · 16/12/2012 11:41

They are hard work at this age, my 3 year has just decided she doesnt want to get her brother from school and is having an hour long raging tantrum at pick up time, I have had to take to leaving her in the car because I just cant manage her (am heavily pregnant).

I dread the time to leave the house every day, you have my sympathy.

HoleyGhost · 16/12/2012 11:42

You don't mention his Dad at all, is he supportive?

Do you do any exercise? The couch to 5k transformed my coping skills. Also moving to working regular hours so we have a routine.

FuckityFuckFuck · 16/12/2012 11:58

He sounds just like my DS so I understand where you are coming from. DS has always been extremely energetic, loud and certainly has the selective hearing and there are days when all I seem to do is yell (DS is nearly 4).

Going to nursery helped, because he would want me to spend my entire waking day with him and that's just not possible when you have things like food shopping, paying bills, taking parents to medical appointments to do. This way, I have 3 hours a day to do things, or do nothing but it gives me space to think.

I also seem to get stuck in the same horrible cycle, yelling, getting stressed so I don't sleep, then yelling cos I'm tired, getting stressed because I feel like i am a horrible mother, not sleeping again and on and on and on. So somedays, if I am stuck in the cycle I act like a toddler for an hour. I charge around the house with him, make a mess, laugh scream and shout along with him and completely ignore all 'adult' things. It is a great stress relief and has the added bonus of wearing DS out a little bit as well

SPsFanjoIsSantasLittleHoHoHo · 16/12/2012 12:07

I own a 3 year old boy.

One day he was refusing to listen. He sat in the middle of a road and I had to literally drag him off it as cars were beeping. He shouted and cried for 3 hours while I was out. I had something important to do so couldn't take him home.

On the bus he was shouting and telling me "you go now, me stay" so had to carry him off the bus. Went to my mum's she wasn't in so he kicked off then because he wanted to see her. Had to drag to where I had to go. He screamed for hours.

Got home and my dad phoned. 3 year old still carrying on. My dad could hear him in the background. I put him to bed but wouldn't sleep.

Then my dad turns up and toddler shouts him up to his room. He says "grandad me tidy woom for you" and proceeds to put his toys he was throwing about only half hour later away! He acted like a total angel because my dad was there!

He was giving us both hugs and saying "me love you" I saw behind the act Grin

I couldn't believe how he changed when he heard my dad come in!

iwantanafternoonnap · 16/12/2012 12:17

Thank you all. I have had to deal with monster tanturms when out and have that look you get from strangers when dragging them along.

No his dad has decided that he wants no contact at all because I have moaned about him not helping out enough with money for things, not putting DS first etc. Ex prefers 5* holidays, weekends away, nights out with the woman he left me for. Ex's family have also chosen not to be part of DS life as well but I am not sure why. They have very warped family values in my eyes.

I don't do any exercise and I have put on 3 and a bit stone in 6 months which has not helped my self-esteem at all! I will get the couch to 5 k and give myself a huge kick up my big butt as I am pretty sure that will help my stress levels.

I think that because I am so tired all the time I have no energy to do the things that will help me. Does that make sense??

It is nice to hear that I am not the only one and not be flamed for being a bit crap at this parenting stuff right now.

Now I really must go pick up my DS. I let myself have another hour of peace and quiet Grin

OP posts:
SPsFanjoIsSantasLittleHoHoHo · 16/12/2012 12:24

I got the looks for dragging my son. But it was either that or leave him on the road. Either way I was getting judged Grin

I'm still learning to parent and the toddler is willing to teach me unfortunately.

I was a bad mum yesterday. His words! My crime? I wouldn't let him stand on his wardrobe so he could be big.

iwantanafternoonnap · 16/12/2012 12:28

LOL. I once had to drag DS along by his foot in a shop as he wouldn't get up and I needed to get going. I was carrying stuff so couldn't pick him up. The looks I got for that one!

OP posts:
HoleyGhost · 16/12/2012 12:33

Here is the couch to 5k plan I used, it gets easier as you go, but I think there are others (bupa?) with an even gentler start

www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx#close

iwantanafternoonnap · 16/12/2012 12:42

Thanks. I thought it was a book. I have a treadmill that Ex bought before he left which is a really good one so I can do it on that and then I don't ahve to find someone to watch DS.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 16/12/2012 12:50

Just to say that when my DS was small I very often dropped him at my mums because I couldn't stand dealing with him ( and I have a OH) . He's now 19 and an extremely lovely person and the plus side is he has a very close relationship with my mum and sister ,so there is light at the end of the tunnel! Take care of yourself as well as your son ,that's really important.

ZuluWarrior · 16/12/2012 16:11

I am watching this with interest as our nearly 4 year old sounds very similar. He has been difficult since his week sister was born at 2.4. He can keep up the whinging and complaining all day, screams and performs if he is told no, and dressing and bedtime is a constant wearing battle. I feel like we are suurounded by 3 year olds who rarely cry and whose parents don't long for 7mpm. I often wonder what the hell we're doing wrong. I can run a half marathon and have an amazing DH so should have the enero keep up. I love him but I'm hiding in my room from him now to avaoid the current drama. I too am looking forward to him growing out of it but, like you, it's being going on for almost 2 years and I'm starting to lose hope Xmas Sad.

ZuluWarrior · 16/12/2012 16:12

wee sister. Stoopid tiny blackberry keyboard.

iwantanafternoonnap · 16/12/2012 20:25

zulu i hope your day got better. I often shut myself in my room and I really feel your pain.

I have had a good afternoon as went round someones house and never saw DS as he was too busy playing with all the other kids there and not a single tantrum.

OP posts:
funchum8am · 16/12/2012 20:33

I am worried I will be like this....toda y I held the door open and ushered dh and dd out and begged dh not to come back for at least two hours Sad Could hear dh telling dd "mummy loves you really, she is just very tired". DD is only ten weeks! I find it really hard to cope with her all week and cannot wait to get back to work in February. If you are doing shifts, and coping as a single parent of a toddler with no contact from exp, you are doing wonders. Hats off to you, and I hope you find the running etc helps!

ZuluWarrior · 16/12/2012 20:43

Thankyou iwant. Glad it's not just me! And it's great that you had a better afternoon and some respite. Those kind of gatherings can go either way for us- he'll either muck in and have a brilliant time, or refuse to play at all and grump on the sidelines.

Funchum- congratuations! Remember you aren't getting any sleep and must be exhausted. You will be amazed how it gets easier.

primigravida · 16/12/2012 23:38

Three was a really tough age for me too with my ds. At 5 he is much better behaved. What helped me when ds was three was going off to my bedroom by myself when I felt like shouting at him and having 'mummy time-out'. I also found it useful to pick my battles very carefully so I wasn't involved in all day power struggles. My ds also acted much better for my parents at this age. You're not alone and it sounds like you are a great mum who is just struggling at the moment which is completely understandable given how tired you must be working nights and solo parenting.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page