DC behaviour - what’s normal?

[bakingmummy21]

We have 3 DC aged 7, 5 and 2 (nearly 3) and feel like we are struggling a lot with behaviour. There are lots of sibling fights, and our house is incredibly noisy (whether it’s shouting, laughing or crying) and I just feel very overwhelmed by it all. Family / friends kids always seem so much more chilled out / quieter / well behaved when we see them (although appreciate you can’t always know what they’re like at home). It’s almost at the stage where I don’t want to socialise or visit family because I’m worried about them judging my kids behaviour. I suspect middle DC might have some ND - although school have no concerns. I just feel like I’m not coping very well with parenting at the moment, constantly yelling at the kids and stressed about it. We have very little help or support network - some family members in particular seem to be restricted to judging our kids behaviour whilst also offering us no help at all with them. Any advice welcomed ☹️

At those ages it is a bit of a bun fight. I would try and physically exhaust them everyday between school and dinner time, basically run them about like puppies. At the weekend do the same in the morning and again in the afternoon. Then at meal times, try to do question and answer games, so they are thinking. Something like I spy, or would you rather, and be really firm on using indoor voices and consequences for shouting and whining. Then consider ear plugs 🤣

We have the PPP or Triple P support up here for free. I can't remember the exact name as it's been a while, but it gives tips on how to make changes and improvements in day to day things. Some local authorities charge up here but it's apparently very good. My friend went to try and get better control of her two sons and said it helped with bedtimes and not listening issues.

Run them like dogs and have a strict rule about bedrooms, no one in anyone else's bedrooms so you can send them all to their respective rooms to cool off and shut up a bit.

Get out every day.

Sign up for as many physical activities as you can. Swimming, football, ballet, gymnastics, wherever you can find.

Scooters and bikes add interest to a walk. A trampoline in the garden helps burn off energy as well.