3.7yr old constantly tormenting 18m brother - god help me!

[bintofbohemia]

They are driving me fricking bananas. I guess it's magnified by half term - but whenever we're in the house, DS1 is always on top of DS2, following him around, tripping him over, snatching...

I've tried everything, reasoning, you name it, it makes no odds, and tonight I lost my temper. I had just pulled DS1 off his brother and told him he had to back off and leave him alone, and the second I let go of him he went straight back in on top of him. I ended up grabbing him by the shoulders and shouting at him, and telling him to get out of my sight. Am really starting to resent it and am not enjoying being on such a short fuse every waking minute, it's making me dislike him.

Roll on next week eh! Please help!

Sounds exactly like my 3.5 yo - I'm sick of not being able to leave him alone with his 18m brother without hearing wailing because he's snatched the toy or blocked him from going somewhere (a favourite has been treading on the foot of his babygro so that he can't move). Bizarrely he's adorable with his 1m sister - maybe because she's not competing for toys yet. Will join you waiting for advice (and face the criticism of smug mums who say "well, if you can't cope with a three-year old then there's no hope" which I have received in the past )

yeah it's really annoying for you. have you any support to take out d2 so you can have some one to one with the eldest. he's probably feeling very insecure and needs to know that you still love him as much as you did before the ' usurper' came along. I always remember my eldest was so jealous of d2 who adored her.

My DD's are slightly older than your DS's - 3.11 and 2.5.

I found that when my DD2 was about the same age as your DS2, my DD's started to interact more and the younger one was becoming a more interesting play mate for the older one.

However, the games would be very wild and OTT indoors as you describe and I must say I have lost patience a few(!) times as well. What has worked for us by now is to positively show how to play nicely together indoors, i.e. suggesting games and "quiet" toys and praising when they play nicely. Asking them to play in separate rooms or have one help me out with something if they don't play nicely.

Hope it gets better for you soon!

Sorry chickbean, but lol @"treading on the foot of his babygro so that he can't move"! I can see how that might be quite fun in a mildly evil way...

I think a certain amount of rough and tumble with little kids v close in age is inevitable, really. I would do time outs for any hurting though.

The foot on babygro made me chuckle too lol!!! My ds is almost 5 and loves irritating my 9 month old he finds it highly amusing. No advise, just sympathy x

Oh how I'm looking forward to next week....

DS1 is 4 and DS2 is 2.5yo and we have the same problem I'm afraid. I have resorted to splitting them up as much as possible and positively encourage them to pursue activities in different rooms.

I sent DS2 to nursery today so DS1 could have me all to himself, but both boys together tomorrow - I shall be reaching for the wine by 8pm no doubt!

Freaky! I was just about to post the same thing! DS1 is just 5, DS2 is 2yr9mth - driving me nuts!
Went to a shop today - explained how I wanted them to behave, went to pay and DS1 rolling on floor pulling DS2 down with him,
Yesterday, poorly friend came round for 10 mins, DS1 shouting & jumping, MUMMMY MUMMMY WIPE MY BOTTTTTTOOOMMMM MUMMMY etc etc.
Poking DS2 constantly in car - so p*ed off with repeating myself I slammed on the brakes (road was clear) and BELLLLOOWWWED.

Have denied him treats, no telly after tea, naughty step, run them all around 'til they are knackered, still no good, plus I think he is being silly at school.

Any tips?

Just realised I have omitted to mention the 'carrot' stuff, like toyshop with pocket money at 4pm if you are good today etc etc

Oh yes, we had rolling around fighting in the middle of a restaurant floor the other day.

This evening DS2 has slammed the bedroom door on DS1's foot and mangled his big toe nail and made his toe bleed profusely (cue much howling from both of them).

You mark my words, tomorrow will end in tears too....

Wow, OP you could (almost) be me DS1 is 3.7 and DS2 is 15 months and DS1 is exactly the same at times. I am so fed up of telling him to get off DS2, leave him alone, give him some space, stop taking his toys and so on and so on.

Annoyingly, DS1 can be absolutely adorable with DS2 at times and be the sweetest big bro and then he will suddenly flip - yet DS2 totally worships him and his face lights up whenever he sees him!

Ds2 is not walking yet and I am sure it is mainly because everytime he stands up or starts cruising/walking with his walker, DS1 scoots over and rugby tackles pulls him down to the floor!

Sorry - had to laugh at the stepping on the foot of his babygro so he can't move - I think that is totally genius (and maybe why DS2 has been in PJ's since he was 9 months old )

Dare I go swimming tomorrow?

chickbean - you have what I have plus a 1 month old?! Respect - am almost lost for words, I can't imagine...

Well, if nothing else, it's good to know it's not just me! Last day of half term tomorrow, woooo. I've been debating going swimming nicefleece, (they can do less damage in the water!) but I worry that because DS2 would need my total undivided attention DS1 might drown himself or something. And two of them in the changing rooms....I don't think I can bear it, I take long enough to get myself dry and dressed...

It is normal though!!!! My dd1 and dd2 love each now!!! they are 26 and 30 though!!!

I went swimming and overdid the armbands so I coukld relax - it was great, they are knackered and sharing an armchair watching wallace & grommit. I only had to bellow once as well.

However, they were both fully clothed, with woolly jumpers on by the time I got my towel out, and of course DS1 opened the changing room door and flashed my rear to the world..but I expected that.

Phew!