December bad-tempered children - is it just me?

[marl]

So our children have been off since this Monday. Over a week's build up to Christmas... On one hand they seemed so tired last week I was grateful that they would be able to have a rest this week. On the other hand, they continue to be quite foul this week, despite some reasonable sleeps, some quiet time at home, seeing some friends, a couple of nice trips out (seeing Paddington, trampoline park, going to a Christmas decked out local house with grounds). I have DS 2 (10) literally saying 'no' to opening his bedroom door having barricaded himself in after being sent to his room for endless rudeness. DS3 (6) having a complete meltdown over being made a hot milk rather than a hot chocolate stomping upstairs screaming. Frankly they are behaving like spoilt little brats. One is now in his room having been told to amuse himself after a screen ban for the day after rudeness last night. The house feels like it is vibrating with their emotional fallout. Is it just me or are any of the rest of you having this? Is there a hormone surge or something at ages 7 and 10? Or are we just failing? Frankly it's depressing. I honestly feel like telling them to stay in their rooms for the rest of the week until they find their manners (though obv this is not possible)! We have two adults in the house as DP and I both work in schools, and neither of us feel like we can have a relaxed holiday ourselves because the children are so grumpy. Any tips?

Not just yours! Our usually very well-behaved, sweet DS is being awful. Most mornings involved some kind of strop/argument baiting and he's either crying/yelling/screaming at least half of the day. It's exhausting.

Thanks Grammarist. Glad to know I am not alone. I can feel all the nonsensical threats on the edge of my tongue about removal of presents and so on, though have not, so far, fallen to those depths. But really....they lead blessed lives and are being so awful. I am loath to stick them in front of the TV just to recover their energy and sanity, if tiredness is what it is, though if I had half the chance myself it might be what would make me feel better when tired.

My three year old has been a bloody nightmare this week.

Definitely something in the air. Friends and I catch up at a cafe every Tuesday with our little ones. Today, all the kids were taking it in turns to fight, have tantrums and carry on. They are all between 18 months and 4 years old so some of this is par for course but normally they play together quite well. AFAIK from friends with older boys, I thought they did have a hormone surge around 7yo. Last weekend with my two girls was also full of moaning and carry on. Lots of early nights this week!

My 10-year-old has been a cheeky wee shite too recently.

He has gone full on Kevin.

What the devil is going on?

It's led me to drink. Which in turn led to a stinking hangover. That didn't help...

Yep my 2 ds's 12&9 have been like this too, particularly the 9yo who has been flying into rages which are most unlike him. They finished a school on Friday and there has been an improvement since but we've mainly pottered at home, watched movies, bit of baking and they've played out on bikes/scooters. I think this time of year is so overwhelming, for me too, so I try and keep the build up low key, seems to be working a bit here.

Not just yours. My DS (9) has had the mother of all tantrums tonight. Can't seem to say anything to him without it him being rude and stomping about.

I'm a teacher, and we don't break up til Friday.

It's a looong week, and it's only Tuesday!