I shouted at DD this evening...

[Flowerface]

And am ridden with guilt about it. She is 13 months and was screaming and shouting in her high chair. And I shouted "shut up!" in her face. Am I the worst mother in the world? I was really really angry...

I have shouted that at my son. He's 19 months.

We all lose it at some point. If you feel you are losing it, and you know she is safe, walk away to another room for 5 minutes.

If you were a bad mum you wouldn't care that you shouted at her.

No you are not a bad mum, just a mum under pressure! You show guilt so that shows you care, just don't feel guilty for too long (no more than 2 mins!).

I end up shouting at her about once a month. She is 'challenging', and sometimes I feel totally overwhelmed by it but I feel really stupid and guilty for doing it. She has a real temper herself and I feel that I am only going to show her that getting cross is the way forward... Arrrghh!

Flowerface, we all feel that way sometimes. I get so aggravated with my son I just shout, not words, just a general AAARRRGGGH, on occasion. Scares us both, he cries, I apologize, we have a cuddle and move on!

Seriously, put her somewhere safe, like her cot, and walk away for a few minutes if you have to.