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Hand hold please

4 replies

Blissfultiggy · 18/12/2025 09:27

I just need some kindness and some advice please. I’m currently sat in my bedroom crying my eyes out while my almost 2 year old is crying in his cot an my 3 year old is sat on her bed super sad because all that’s happened for the last 3 hours since we woke up is chaos. The youngest has barely stopped screaming, the eldest has been naughty all morning and all I’ve done is shout and tell them off.

should life be this hard? When does life settle? The youngest barely sleeps and is still waking 4+ times a night and I’m exhausted. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LuerLock · 18/12/2025 10:12

Oh dear, you are really up against it at the moment! Honestly, I'd be tempted to stick them both in front of the telly for a bit while you have a cup of tea and a few minutes to calm down. Can you take them to the park later this morning so they get a bit of exercise and fresh air?

You are at a difficult stage, but I promise you it does get better and easier! Think about what you like doing with the kids. Baking? Crafting? Kicking a ball around? Going for a walk/scooter ride? Meeting up with friends who have children of a similar age? Playing Hide and Seek? It can be difficult to feel inspired when they are both screaming, so write a list while they're watching TV and then you can quickly pick an idea from the list and say, "Right! Let's go and do..."

Try to get them outside every day, even if it is just a walk/scooter ride. Try to avoid them having "individual" screen time (eg one child looking at a phone/tablet alone) if you can but don't feel guilty about a bit of communal screen time eg watching some kids' TV together and chatting about it.

Edited to add, my DDs loved sticker books when they were three, and that's a nice quiet activity to do together while the little one is napping. If you have any magazines or brochures, cut pictures out (animals, furniture, food etc) and stick them onto blank paper together - that's quite fun.

The lack of sleep is awful. Do you have anyone who can share the obernight duties with the baby with you? Is she waking for milk, or for unknown reasons?

CatsKoalasBunnies123 · 18/12/2025 15:26

Those are some very demanding ages.

Deep breath. If this is a one off, they will not be traumatised, it's fine.

Go out your bedroom, get them dressed and get out the door.

My 16 month old must be out of the house by 10 am or everyone loses it. It's typical.

YellowCherry · 18/12/2025 15:28

These are tough ages (especially as the younger one is a poor sleeper). It will get easier OP I promise.

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Mt563 · 18/12/2025 15:30

Do you have a partner? If they can take some night wakings, it might be worth you sleeping separately with white noise to make sure you get proper rest (I slept on the sofa because I couldn't switch off if I could hear the kids)

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