Anyone else got teenager and toddler combo?

[WanderingOkapi]

Aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhh !!
When everyone is happy it works brilliantly. But a bad day is really bad.

No wine emoticon on iPhone or I would add a few for myself and anyone else in this situation !

oh yes, well i did have

DD is 5 now and DS2 is 24

happy days gone by fuck it was hard going at times!

what's happened today

It will improve! I have 9 years between dd1 and dd3 so when dd3 was 3, dd1 was ramping up nicely in to pre-teenage mode and yes sometimes it just went a bit grim but we had dd2 in the middle as a moderating influence. Now dd1 has hit 14 and dd3 a more amicable 5 we're swinging along well. Dd3 adores her big sister and dd1 has calmed down a bit on the child management techniques (though she still watches supernanny and tells me where I'm going wrong) O the plus side she's now old enough to 'babysit' her a bit and they both seem to love that.

I have three teenagers and a toddler. Well, she's now 3½, but the others were 13, 15 and 16 when she was born. Yesterday I had DD2 (18) and DD3 (3) fighting. It was fucking funny and both got sent to their rooms when I could stand no more.

I do think the older one(s) think that it's only the baby who needs disciplining and they can do whatever and you'll be too busy wailing over pen on the wall to notice somebody has just been seriously rude. They're wrong

there's actually not much difference between a three year old and a teenager...only size!!

I don't but I was that teenager. I hated feeling we always did what suited the little ones, so tread carefully!

13 year old dd And 2 ds nearly 3 and 18 months. Hardworking stressed dh. No local family support. The kids are at the mercy of their feelings. I get so frustrated sometimes that I have to be what everyone needs to help them when I actually feel like joining in the overwhelming feelings fest.

15 and 2.5 will soon be 16, 3 and 0

Borntobemild
I'm very aware that I don't want dd to feel odd one out or anything. I try really hard to make sure she has Lots of time and attention. I think thats why i feel so run ragged. It's hard but vital to try to get the balance right. What worked or didn't work in your experience particularly?

Tbh I don't think they really thought about it. I was pretty compliant so didn't ask for attention, but resentment festered a bit. Also, at important times, like exams, I'd have liked a bit of spoiling and prioritising.
I didn't much like babysitting either, unless I offered. I'd have preferred other chores really. I remember feeling I didn't choose a child to look after, but didn't mind cooking dinner or ironing, so perhaps asking what contribution they'd like to make, rather than assuming childcare. I should say I did love my sisters, but just wanted equal consideration, and some thanks for help.