Anyone else’s kids being really hard work?

[cantdothismuchlonger12]

To start - I know We are immensely lucky that we have lots of toys/activities to keep the kids entertained BUT they are not playing on any of it!

For example, swing set in the garden, not being used - instead all of the soil from my flower beds being chucked in it.
Loads of arts/crafts activities but instead they’re drawing over any toys or furniture they can find.
Play doh, sticking it ON the carpet and mixing the dough together.
All Lego just thrown into random boxes/rooms/down the toilet.

They are 6 and 2.5, is this normal?? They are acting crazy and feral. I’m trying to work so no, I’m not supervising ALL the time but it’s mainly the 6YO who seems to be refusing to do anything productive but instead encouraging her sister to be as naughty and destructive as possible every time I have to make a phone call.

I’ve tried the whole homeschooling thing, not possible if I want to be able to keep a roof over our heads.

I’m losing it, really losing it. Apart from having TV for 10 hours a day, has anyone got any suggestions?

They’re destroying my house, my sanity, gone. I don’t think I can do this much longer! I’m turning into a shouting screaming monster and the only time they seem to be enjoying this is when they are doing something they shouldn’t be.

Please if anyone has any advise, do share!

No advice, but yes!

My 4 year old is a nightmare at the minute and I too have turned into shouty screaming mum I have no good advice but offer sympathy.

If 10 hours of TV would help I would have no hesitation using it to get through this difficult time. You have to do what ever you need to survive this.

Yes 5 year old twins driving me crazy!!!!! I'm abroad and stuck in an apartment with a small balcony.. Losing my sanity!

Take it all away, limit the 6yr olds choice of what to do. Do it tonight when they are sleeping I’d put it all in hiding places like you do at Christmas.

Screen time restrictions can be relaxed in the these times I think. I saw a really nice article where a CEO of a company emailed his employees asking them to thank their children and partners for letting his business invade their homes and to not worry if con calls and team meetings are disrupted by children needing a wee or have a tantrum.

Once the 6yr old sees that everything is not immediately available to do as they chose especially destructive behaviour ask them what they would like to play with, why they are going to do with it, where and for how long etc they ply nicely as agreed or it gets taken away again.

Rotate the amount of activity’s they can choose from so everything becomes a little bit more exciting.

My are teens now, I feel your pain and I hope the above helps a little bit

Yes my 3 year old is definitely playing up. I allow small doses of screen time interspersed with play/an activity (connection!). Could you do similar? Even if only working half your normal 8 hours you might get more done and be more efficient if the kids are quieter and more pliable the rest of the time.

I’ve been really struggling with my toddler to the point where I realised my behaviour really wasn’t acceptable. I’ve massively upped the screen time. Before all this he hardly watched anything (still quite young). I don’t feel good about it but it has helped immensely. I’ve started putting on a kids film everyday and watching it with him on my lap. He needed the distraction and probably the affection from me, which I’ve been struggling to give. Do what you need to do to cope. This isn’t a long-term way of life x

Just let them dig up the garden with buckets and spades and write off your ideas for lovely flower beds?

What does your DP suggest?

I also agree telly can be generously used during these unprecedented times.

Yes, try just having one or two things out. You’ll feel better too as will stay tidier. They are probably overwhelmed.

Yes DS is 4, he was ok first couple of weeks but I'd say the last week and a half, it's almost like he's got lockdown fatigue too. No motivation to do anything much where in the first couple of weeks he was keen (for him, we've never been a crafty family) on all my learning games/crafts etc.

He's also doing anything he can to wind DS age 13 months up, sometimes I think he genuinely just wants to play but a lot of the time it feels like he's deliberately poking the beast. And he will not play/do anything by himself really. And he's SO up and down, one minute super sweet, the next minute so angry.

Argh sorry that turned into a rant. Solidarity.