I'm getting really snappy with my 3 year old Please help!

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I've recently started a diet. I'm feeling really hard done by and I'm starting to get short tempered and snappy, which is not like me. I have a 3 year old daughter and I don't want to be moodie with her but the smallest things seem to wind me up. How can I improve my mood (without chocolate?) I've always just grabbed some chocolate or some chrisps etc whenever I've been stressed, but now what ?? Please help.

anyone ??

I'm sorry, not much in the way of advice from me - only sympathy! I've been pretty short-tempered and snappy today myself, since darling dd woke up at 4.30am and refused to go back to sleep. All I can think of for you is to find something to munch on that isn't 'forbidden'? I'm not much into fruit myself or that's what I'd suggest! What about crackers or something? Is houmous allowed, it's nice on a breadstick or two? Perhaps your blood sugar is getting low and making you moody. Best wishes from me, sorry I can't help much but perhaps someone else might have some more advice.

Thanks, I think you're right. I think munching a raw carrot might be good for stress. Not quite as good as chocolate, but It will have to do.

Saw some great advice on here once which said to 'fake it', ie pretend you are being filmed for a documentary or something on being a fab mum I know, but it does actually work - and when you start to pretend to be fab, happy mummy - your mood actually changes too.

I am queen of mood swings so totally understand btw. DEFINITELY need to keep blood sugar up. I'm afraid I eat whatever is going but breadsticks are good. Oh, and bananas too.

What diet are you doing? I've been on weightwatchers for a few months and it's the only one I've ever succeeded at as providing it's in your points allowance you can have chocolate! I don't feel like i'm denying myself, so it really helps me stick to it and also I'm not grumpy because I'm on a diet.

Can totally sympathise with the 3yo dd. When mine starts really winding me up, instead of getting angry with her(which is what I really want to do) I ask her to sing or dance with me - really helps calm both of us down

Just don't give yourself permission to take things out on her...it's not her fault you want to lose weight IYSWIM. I think if you have that clear in your head all the time it'll help you to keep calm

Also second doing WW because you CAN have chocolate if you want; if you're feeling so grumpy etc it's a bad sign and you won't keep the diet up anyway...WW lets you fill up on good stuff and have treats, why not look it up on line?

Whatever this diet is it's WAY too extreme if it's making you feel you have to take out your frustration on your little girl. Go for something gentler and concentrate on healthy eating, exercise and being good to yourself, rather than punishing your body.

a couple of squares of good dark chocolate, one with a high cocoa content. Works a treat to calm that craving.

exercise will give you those same endorphins that you got from chocolate

Thanks everyone, some really great advice. It's no particula diet. I'm just trying to keep my calorie intake low. I couldn't do weight watchers as I wouldn't like to be weighed in front of everyone. I've started to eat lots of fruit and vedge and excercise more, and I do feel a lot happier already.

make sure you'er getting enough healthy fats - all fats are not bad and cutting them all out altogether can really affect your moods. See here and also here
Also exercise is very good for both losing weight / improving fitness AND improving your frame of mind.
Good luck

How low? If your calorie intake is too low then that will make you feel moody.

They don't announce your weight at weightwatchers you know! The only people that know are you and the leader.

Try increasing exercise (get out and about) rather than reducing food. Better for the mood.