I'm hoping for some advice here.
I have a 7, 4 and 1 year old. And when they're on form, all can be lovely boys (usually when you get some rare one on one time with them). Both the 7 and 4 year old are doing well at school and get great feedback - they can be a bit silly and boisterous sometimes but nothing you'd be worried about.
But at home the behaviour of the older two is often just awful. They argue and fight all the time, about absolutely everything - at home and in public. They (especially the 7 year old) talk to me like absolute shit - the attitude on him and the things he comes out with are beyond belief.
Even age 7, my oldest still has screaming tantrums every so often - and it's usually in front of grandparents and other family members who just sit there judging away (cue endless comments from my dad on how children had more respect in his day and life was better when you were allowed to smack kids - which just makes me furious with him on top of everything else).
My 4 year old struggles to control his emotions - which means as well as being the most affectionate and loving child he is also prone to bursts of anger that I can't always talk him down from.
The result is that even though I hate shouting (I grew up in a house with loads of it) I often find myself doing it because I feel like it's the only way I can cut through the noise. My husband works away all week so it's usually just me - and after days like to today I just hate the parent I've become.
I often look around when we're out and see other children playing nicely, having fun with their parents and so on and I want to cry. It just always seems to be mine. And it's not just me being paranoid, our whole family often comment on their behaviour - it just makes me not want to go out and socialise.
This is a long post, so sorry! I just need some help - I was hoping someone might be able to point me in the direction of some good reading or blogs - or just share anything that's worked for them in a similar situation. I know something had to change but I don't know how to fix it.
Thanks for sticking with the post x