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3 & 4 year old permanenetly bonkers when together

4 replies

Pennies · 10/03/2009 15:19

My two DDs are very close in age (15months apart) and are very close emotionally. The two of them can get very hyper, like all children but until recently there have been periods of calm.

About a week ago I posted in parenting asking for help with the two of them being bonkers during the witching hours, but since then it has become their permanent mode. They are manic. Think crazy hysterical laughter, deliberate naughtiness, defiance, name calling, food throwing, toy destruction. The list goes on. Measures taken include naughty step, anger, ignoring, time out in bedroom, distraction (well, attempts at) etc. Invariably all that happens is that they just laugh more and I end up getting more pissed off.

Since I posted last week I have decided to go down the route of giving the attention that I thought their behaviour seemed to be seeking, and they have each had some periods of quality one-to-one time with either myself or DH. Whilst they're lovely when they're alone, the moment they are reunited they are manic again.

I just don't know how to manage it, I can't stand it and right now I've just sent them out into the garden and told them to just get on with it until they've calmed down. I don't care how long that takes, quite frankly because I can't stand their company whilst they're like this.

Please can anyone help me cope with this. Has anyone else had their children be like this? What can I do to try and resolve it?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
madwomanintheattic · 10/03/2009 15:22

my mum used to leave home. i just leave the room.
trampolines work reasonably well, as long as they have a net that you can zip up and they can't get out...

madwomanintheattic · 10/03/2009 15:23

tv? it's the only time mine are quiet...

Pennies · 10/03/2009 15:24

What, she would leave the premises? Tempting. How long did she go for? Did she go far?!

No trampoline here. Don't really want them vegetating in front of the TV.

OP posts:
madwomanintheattic · 10/03/2009 15:46

if you alternate tv and trampoline it cuts out some of the vegetating time....

she'd only go for an hour or so... and that was when we were a bit older lol (at least, ooo, 7 and 8?) before that she used to get a migraine and go and lie in a darkened room...

(that sounds terrible - we did survive, though, and even got, you know, degrees and stuff, jobs, husbands, families...

i think you get to the point where there is only so much distraction you can do and the tv should be deployed in those situations...

mine have recently discovered board games though lol. unless they are feeling particularly feisty that works for a bit - and even the 5yo can play chess so there is a glimmer of hope...

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