How often do you shout at your kids?

[Liskee]

This lockdown it seems like that's all I do I try to adopt the only shout of it's an emergency or someone's life/limbs are in danger. Add to the fact that NO ONE LISTENS and there seems to be an emergency every 3 minutes.
Any tips on how to manage the behaviour of two caged lion boys (5 & 4) that don't involve tablets or constant engagement as my husband and I are still valiantly trying to work full time from home.

Do they play together? Is there any chance of you getting some childcare, even for small periods?

Have you tried a reward chart? They're a great age for it.

I think you have an impossible task there 😂

I find fixing 15-20 mins of uninterrupted one one one time Means my children are then more likely to accept playing on their own (though not always). It’s like they have had their bit of connection and find plying independently easier after.

Another thing that works for us is playing audiobooks or soundtracks to movies like Lion King while they play.

When I get periods of shoutyness I do this bracelet thing. I wear 4 bracelets on one wrist and every time I feel I’m overly harsh I move one bracelet to the other wrist. Then if I deal with something well/calmly I’ll move the bracelet back to the original wrist. Sounds odd but I guess it’s like a physical/visual way to remind me to deal with things calmly. I try not to guilt myself if I am too harsh but try to adjust what I do after.