At the end of my tether

[Pixilicious]

I feel like I'm not coping with my 5yo DDs behaviour and I don't know how to deal with her. I keep shouting and she then cries which makes me feel awful but it makes no difference.

And example: tonight I said, three times, it's time to come up for a shower. She ignores me. I then shout at her and (this is a new thing in the last week or so) she then tries to hit or kick me and I lose my temper. I have never by her, i must add, but I do get really angry.

I know there must be some techniques I can use. The thing that drives me round the bend is her just ignoring me.

Any suggestions for things I can try?

Hi Pixi, my dd does this as well and it really winds me up sometimes. I try and deal with it in two ways, first by trying to make going up the stairs fun e.g. a race with her, her little brother and me (this started over a year ago when I shouted 'last one up the stairs is a potato'), or by pretending I am a tooth brushing monster that can only catch them if they're not in the bathroom (if I do catch one I give them a big cuddle). Second, when I haven't got the energy or inspiration to be fun, I tell them to get on with it otherwise there's less time to read stories later. And sometimes I shout at them but that doesn't really work and makes me feel bad :-(
I hope you find a way through, being ignored feels so rude but I really don't believe they mean it like that.

Agree with NuclearMum, everything is easier if you can make them laugh. It worked with my ds, and I was yelling like a fish wife which is exhausting. It takes a bit of effort if you've had a long day but at least no guilt.

It's never easy, I assume she has just gone back to school too, so could be feeling the change of routine.
I try to give a but if a countdown, so dd knows what's expected, e.g. bath in 10 minutes, then 5 minutes til bathtime- gives her chance to finish what she's doing.
Also stickers and a reward chart, visible to everyone in house, lots of praise.
Be kind to yourself, try to plan a break each week, a couple if hours can really help xx

Thanks all. I've got the sticker charts out and I'm trying to keep it fun. Yes, just back to school so I'm hoping when she gets back into the routine things will calm down.