Cant stand being home with DS2 who is 3 - he's driving me mad and getting me down

[bacon]

It was a breeze with DS1 now 6. But this one is demanding and totally challenging - its constant!!!! Its getting me down I feel so fustrated with it all and cant wait for him to start school. He does go to nursery two full days a week but I still need to get through the other 5 days!

I have loads to do and not one for sitting down but when he asks I do play with him but then he wonders off and does something else and within time starts demanding I do something, put a dvd on, food etc its a battle and I hate it. Strangly, he's perfect at nursery and very much adored - no issues at all!

Hubby has a tendancy to do his own thing and spends as little time in the house as possible. He has no patience at all.

How different two boys can be. Really thinking of putting him in nursery another day a week but cant afford it. At the weekend I was really down and he's draining me now. Luckily he's alseep now as shattered.

I dont really get what hes doing wrong?! is the demanding that gets you down? MY ds (2.2) is starting to demand things like 'Get me drink!' etc and I wont give him anything until he asks nicely.

I think I know what you mean. My DS is 4 and some days he just goes on at me constantly. He'll ask me to get him a drink and then, while I'm getting it, he will ask me again and again to do something else for him. I can't even go to the toilet without him shouting up at me to come down and do something for him and telling him I'll be there in a minute doesn't stop him. Some days he's not so bad, but when he's being full on it's exhausting.

Mine does four mornings a week at preschool and I make sure we go out at least for a little while most afternoons. Would doing four half days at nursery be an option for you?

Would part time nursery perhaps work better? 4/5 mornings a week instead of two days? If you walked there and back he might get tired

Otherwise could you find some playgroups/tumble tots or something to take him to?

My DS is hard work I just think it's little Boys. You DS is just doing what he is meant to be doing at 3 but is is hard work.. i'm totally frazzled by the bed time most days, you're lucky yours naps.. mine hasn't done for at least 2 years!

It's nothing to do with whether they are boys or girls at all. It's just down to the personality. Some kids are very demanding, some less so , some are a breeze.

So I sympathise op. My number 5 is still like this at 6. She would squeeze every last drop out of me if I let her. Number 6 who is 5 and a boy is totally non demanding.
I would see if you can cobble together some extra cash for more nursery time..
Also having an absent Dp is going to make it extra hard for you.
He has a tendency to do his own thing does he? Well he is just as much a parent as you are. Have a talk with him and tell him to take his parental responsibilities seriously, don't let him get away with it. I'm sure you'd very much like to 'do your own thing' wouldn't you

No option with nursery, live semi rural on farm and the two days I put him in I catch up and help run the business.

He is very demanding, and its not just me, my MIL and SIL know what he's like. He cant be left for a moment, he'll put his wellies on and go by himself, open the bedroom window and climb onto the outside sill, pee outside the window, break things, empty cupboards, pull and push me around, boss me, hang under my apron strings, but wont stay still with his toys. Will whing, moan and mope around. Then when DS1 gets home will play him up and start fighting - oh joy!

I'm on the computer now and he's demanding to look at pictures.

Its hard getting up in the morning to know that I'll get nothing done when I have lists to do, glad I'm not the only one. Ta

Oh bacon I KNOW it's so so hard. You have to have had one to know what they can be like. It doesn't ever stop. If it's any consolation it won't always be this way.

I have one abit like this too and it's worse when i don't give him lots of positive attention. Sounds like you need to get out the house with him, go exploring, or playgroups perhaps. Something physical can help at this age. Sorry you probably already do that?

I am feeling a bit the same about my DD (3.6), yesterday was one long 'MUUUUUMMMMMM' every two minutes and asking me for food (or a 'treat') every five mins, she wasn't doing anything naughty it was just a very draining day. It is always worse when we have nothing planned and the day drags. She can play well independently (I have trained her too!) but some days she has no attention span and pesters me all day.

My husband is currently doing a lot of overtime including weekends so DD and I are together all the time and it is sending me round the bend (no family support).

Also I am 22 weeks pregnant and don't have the energy I would normally.

I have found 3 a lot harder age than 1 or 2.

I do agree that getting out the house is the best solution, kills a few hours and DD is happier running around in the fresh air.

OP you have my complete sympathy!