How to reduce stress

[boymum36]

The amount of stress I experience on a daily basis from my kids is insane. My eldest ds is 4 and he is extremely speech delayed and is constantly crying, whinging, moaning over everything!! Even the tiniest things. Him and my youngest ds who is 2 constantly fight and I find I am just always stressed and snappy and I don't want to be that parent but omg it's so hard! They are at nursery 3 days a week whilst I work so I have some time away from them but I need coping strategies for in the moment. Breathing doesn't work. I try to remain calm but after eldest has repeated the same thing 100 times after I told him calmly that he can't/no it's so hard not to lose my cool.

It’s hard when they whine and argue with each other, I’ve got the same age gap with my boys although they are older now. I always find I get more stressed when I’m hungry so make sure you’re keeping yourself topped up with food / drink / tea breaks!
I also wouldn’t keep repeating myself and if he doesn’t listen the first time stop him and redirect, e.g no you can’t have another cake, but you can have a veggie snack plate / we could play outside / we could watch tv and this normally distracts them from asking the same things over again!