I can't handle my DCs anymore :(

[BlueDragonfly]

I know its the school hols and everything is harder but i really really can't handle them anymore.

DS1 (5)is punching, kicking , pinching, namecalling, shouting, screaming, being generally cross and negative

DS2 (3) has spent every day in the last week whining and crying and tantrumming the ENTIRE day. His speech probs appear to have got worse because he just will not try to speak now, lots of his speech is just hmmmming.

DS3 (5 months) wants me to feed him every hour night and day and today cried from 12:50 until 3 until i gave up and gave him some baby rice (please don't have a go)

I am trying to point out and praise all the positives they do but when they don't do any its reallyhard. DP working all day and they are often in bed when he comes home, my gran is dying in hospital and i am struggling with ED type urges so have reached the end of my rope

i really must get their room sorted out furniture wise. They have a lot of stuff still in boxes inc craft stuff and dress up. We have a fantastic pirate ship in the garden that i won from here (will post pics when i can)and am planning a pirate party for them in a few weeks with some friends from toddler groups (i see the same group of mums)when things with my Gran have settled down.

Chocolate DVD day sound lush except that ds3 would try and swipe it and give it a good gumming, ds2 can't have too much dairy -undiagnosed intolerance (Drs won't diagnose) but will def dig out some things they can and will eat lots of and walk down to the dvd rental place or use movies on demand on the tv

Agree with Custardo, maybe try taking them out to park/countryside, they will burn off energy, and you won't feel so bad for leaving them to their own devices for a bit when you get home.

I can't cope with being stuck in house all day with my one,fairly well behaved dd. You must be going absolutely mad.

Do you drive?

i don't know ds1s schoolfriends parents

no frankie i don't drive. Live near a pretty decent bus service though and they are ok ish at walking.

Maybe childcare is an option?

Dd is going to a dancing/acting/singing summer school this week. She is loving it, and coming home worn out which is a bonus.

I really feel for you, but every day won't be as much of a struggle, you will have better ones

sorry, i forgot to answer the question about his speech. He does speak but because he is usually whining i cant understand him and a lot of his words have gone back to me needing to translate for him so other people can understand him

If DS can speak but needs translation help from you, i don't think that counts as speech disorder. According to speech therapist friend, any sounds (even if they are not recognisable as words in the first language) which are used consistently to relate to an object/person/abstract thing count as words. I think it's only a problem if your LO is not using any words by the middle of their 3rd year. Am sure other MNers with more knowledge will be able to confirm this. Everyone's kids are unintelligible at times, especially when tired, stropping, etc.

As for not knowing DS1's mates' parents - not surprising, you are probably pretty rushed off your feet most of the time. But am sure they wouldn't mind your contacting them and asking if you could arrange some playdates. Brazen it out and explain that you have a really little one to look after and would they possibly mind if ...

You could always use the lure of the pirate ship on a good afternoon for their little darling to swing it.

Good luck mate, it is one of the hardest jobs in the world, and you are doing brilliantly - three kids, all clothed, fed, clean(ish - if anything like mine!) and loved. They are lucky kids.