So I can't seem to cope with the smallest thing these days

[Sugarmagnolia]

I'll be fine (or at least think I'm fine) one minute and then the dog will get mud on the carpet or DS will seem to be taking forever to go to the toilet just when we need to leave for school or DD will get toothpaste on her school pinafore (again, 30 seconds before we need to leave the house) and I'll just lose the plot. I'll shout or cry or throw things (not breakable things and not actually AT the children but still). I think the kids are getting a bit wary of me and seem to need more and more reassurance from me. I don't really know what to do.

SugarMagnolia, you could have written that thread for me!

I hope today will be better (for you and me). I think MummyMonster's post was perfect. She's got it just right.

Just try and put all the bad bits in a dumping bin, like she said. Come to think of it, why can't/don't we have a dumping bin on MN, where we can put it all into words and have someone soothe us?

Last night a friend with a child of dd1's age from school came round, with just a 'phonecall to ask if it was ok. Our children's "wardrobe" - ha - is a pile of clothes heaped up on to a dressing table. They both called us up to that bedroom to watch their 'show'. You can imagine how I felt - at least the bed was made - but her mum didn't bat an eyelid!

I think, perfect mums (like H's GP niece and her GP husband) have childminders/cleaners/nannies (she has all three) to make their lives appear perfect.

But I don't reckon they are.

Get me on to an 8 year old who won't wear anything that's been washed, and that's another chapter!

Hey earlgrey - I have to honestly say I don't think my problem is trying to be a "perfect" mummy. I do accept that I am a "good enough" parent, that my house is cleanish, the kids eat an ok - if not organic & totally homemade! - diet with the occassional McDonalds thrown in, they behave pretty well - at least in front of other people, etc etc. I love my kids, I love my husband, I like my house, my friends, I even have good in-laws! I just find myself getting down or stressed lately for no apparent reason. Or at least for reasons totally out of proportion to how I'm feeling.

What scares me is the unpredictability of it. This morning the kids were bickering with each other from the minute they woke up until they left for school about 5 minutes ago. But I've dealt with it - one got a time out, another got a toy removed and when they were ready and waiting for their ride and STILL fighting I made them sit and wait outside so I didn't have to hear them. But all that's ok. And now I'm fine and I'll go and do some work soon. But on another day the same thing might have led to me screaming adn crying and feeling sh*t for the whole day. Do you see what I mean?

I do see what you mean SM, and it sounds like hormones. Especially if you aren't stressed/frustrated by anything else in your life at the moment. Which it sounds like you are not.

Sounds like you are getting on top of it anyway.