Help to break this vicious circle - mum and 3 yr old miserable

[rubadubadoo]

sorry - this may be a long one. My 3 yr old ds is usually loud and noisy. He's been pushing the boundaries for ages and is very contrary - whingeing for something and then when getting it saying he doesn't want it and this can go on all day over everything which is really really trying. His general behaviour seems to improve when he can go to pre-school - being at home too much seems to worsen the behaviour (i don't get too much 1-2-1 time with him as I have a 10 mth old dd). However since the beginning of October he has caught every bug going and has been really poorly for what seems like months on and off and so hasn't been able to go to pre-school very often. Its a vicious circle at the moment - I just get him better, he goes to preschool and is then ill again after 1 or 2 times of going which means he is back home again being extremely ( I hate to say it horrible). I'm getting down as I know he needs to be out and about doing things but he just keeps catching things. I feel it is affecting our relationship at the moment as I've ended up shouting at him a few times which I hate myself for and I generally think he looks like a depressed boy at the moment. Everyday seems to be negative. Has anyone else experienced this - I mean their child always seemingly ill andbeing away from activities which makes their behaviour truly awful? Sorry for the rant.

All the time. If my little one is stuck indoors she gets cabin fever and gets seriously troublesome!

It's the season for cough and colds though, which is always rubbish. Are they getting their extra vitamins? Could you put some calpol in them and still risk a mums and tots here and there? I've done that if their cold isn't too bad, as loads of other mums bring their snotty kiddies along (pardon the pun) so I figure why not if they're not really too ill

Also it will get you down if you're stuck indoors all the time with a cheeky toddler. Also are they sleeping badly too from being ill so much? I have no emotional reserves if I'm really tired , last time one of my babies had sleep problems I was sharp with the rest of the family and got angry if my poor husband was even 10 minutes late home from work.

What a confession on mums net, just wanted to reassure you. Hope some other MN have some amazing advice for you. I only have 2 children so far, so compared to some on here, I am an amateur!

Sending you a hug, have a cuppa and something naughty to eat x

even if hes "ill" can you get him out side and exercised most days. well wrapped up he's not going to come to much harm riding his bike round park for 20 mins or kicking a ball with you in garden.
Or you could try indoor running about. Bedroom cricket is pretty high octane in this house, and living room show jumping has been this weeks new game ( stuck in more than normal with snow falling and preschool shut).

I like my 3 yr old better when he's well exercised, he whines less.