Snapping at older children - new baby

[Dulcie6]

I feel awful.

I have recently had a baby (1 month old). I also have a 5 and 8 year old. They are brilliant on the whole, but it’s constantly ‘Mum, Mum, Mum’ or ‘Dad, Dad, Dad’ throughout the day and I’m just finding them really irritating and I have no patience.

It’s not their fault but obviously me and partner are really tired, which is making me far more snappy than I would normally be. I’m breastfeeding so the baby is taking up loads of my time. When I’m not feeding, I just want ten minutes to myself but they’re there jumping around and being loud.

I snap at them and then feel awful. Youngest one cries every time I do as she’s v sensitive. I always apologise to them, but then I do it again a day later. How can I stop myself getting so frustrated and angry at them when really they are just being children?

Luckily for everyone they should be back at school next week so you'll have 5 days a week to yourself and baby.

You also need to tag team a bit. Your DH should be taking them out loads as well, give you some time with baby during the holidays and also take the baby out so you have some time with the older ones

No advice but i am exactly the same with my oldest dc and I have an EBF baby. It’s hard. I really try and take a deep breath and say anything snappy in my head instead of out loud but not always possible. Something I now laugh fo myself at what goes through my head vs what I manage to say calmy
out loud to dc