How can I cope better in the mornings?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

I hate how horrible I'm being to DD (3). It's not her fault that she has a baby brother who refuses to sleep, meaning that I'm utterly exhausted in the morning. He only sleeps two hours at a time, maximum, so I get stretches of less than that. Haven't had more than 3 hours in a row since he was born 9 moths ago.

When DD wakes me (usually just before DH goes to work), I can't help being snappy and horrible. I don't want her to touch me and cuddle me (why she'd want to, I don't know, I'm such a bitch to her). Usually, I get better at dealing with her once I'm up and dressed, but I worry about how she must feel with this inconsistent and horrible snapping. It's only normal 3 year old stuff that's driving me mad. I hate myself for it.

What can I do before I ruin our relationship or make her resentful towards her brother?

Ceebeebies?! We go downstairs, he watches postman pat whilst drinking his milk in his playpen and I sit on the sofa and drink a cup of tea whilst we both wake up fully!

Oh god this sounds like me.

I don't even want to see my daughter first thing until I've had 10 mins to wake up and have a few mouthfuls of coffee. It sounds awful doesn't it? But I think it's cos I've seen so much of her during the night! (she's only 8 months)

My hubby is great though, he will take her first thing in the morning and give me time to snooze before he leaves for work. Then he'll bring up coffee and my breakfast before I give baby her morning feed.

Love the biscuit cutter for toast idea ...