How can I...

[PrettyCandles]

...learn to be a more chilled mum?

I'm too stressy about it all, too controlling, too frustrated.

Whenever it kicks off take a deep breath and think "Is it worth it?"

Is this the fight I really want to fight or shall I let it go?

Save the fight for something that really really matters

And what about when I'm the one who kicks it off when I over-react?

Does anyone consider themselves a 'chilled' parent?

I think I'm a chilled parent in that I don't worry about:

routines
food (additives etc)
schools
danger (obviously, don't let my kids run on the road but I know some mums who won't let them go on climbing frames, run around in case they fall)

However, I STILL find motherhood sooo difficult and so exhausting.

My theory is that kids will grow up despite you, not because of you and life's too short to be worrying about every tiny additive, inappropriate thing!

Think it's down to personality in the end though, if you're a controlling person (meant in a nice way) then you're bound to be a control freak parent.

It's freaking me out that I've turned into such a control freak!

Agree with NoodleS - only control the important, leave the rest to nature, it's not worth the hassle, you'll go grey quicker and get more wrinkles!!