Got angry with ds last night - feel awful

9 replies

moomina · 19/10/2004 12:02

I feel like a terrible mother.

Ds was up from 11.30pm to 2.30am last night. He just would not settle - everytime I tried to put him down in his cot he went rigid and started shrieking. I was exhausted and nothing was working - I even ended up taking him into bed with me but it made no difference. He finally fell asleep at 2.30am but not before I'd really yelled at him and made him cry even more. I think I really frightened him I feel like crap today - so guilty - haven't been able to concentrate at work.

Of course, he's full of the joys of spring this morning!! But I am almost crying. I hate losing my temper with him. Sorry, just needed to get it off my chest.

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Blackduck · 19/10/2004 12:05

How old is ds? We've (I think...) all been there...I've screamed at ds and he's ended up crying even harder....I think (I hope!) that as long as its not a regular occurance children very quickly forget about it (unlike us mums....!)

bundle · 19/10/2004 12:14

sleep deprivation = one of the most effective forms of torture known to humanity. don't beat yourself up over this, is there anyone else who can take turns if this happens again? my dd2 was also shocking last night (is it the moon?) woke twice in the night then at 4.45am wouldn't go back to sleep until about 6. sometimes i get books/toys out when it all gets too much, i'm sure we've all shouted and cried when it gets like that, x

Blackduck · 19/10/2004 12:16

actually Bundle funny you should say that - ds decided to have a screaming fit at 3.00 this morning....now I know why I feel a bit knackered....

Original poster

moomina · 19/10/2004 13:20

He's 16 months (today!). He was always an appalling sleeper when younger and then I thought we'd cracked it and he's pretty much slept through most nights since about 13 months. But then it seems that when he does wake, he really wakes, IYKWIM!

I guess maybe I got more annoyed because I'm starting to get used to a decent night's sleep - before that I was more accepting!

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Blackduck · 19/10/2004 13:33

ds is 17 months....so I know exactly where you are coming from...if I've really had enough I poke dp and mutter 'your turn'....

Don't feel guilty about it...if you are a bad mother so are all the rest of us......!

larlylou · 19/10/2004 13:45

Moomina, I have a ds who is 18 months old who is currently going through a horrible waking up time in the night on a regular basis it seems and I too had a night not long ago when I screamed at him (through sheer exhaustion). He howled even more and I ended up feeling awful and cuddling him for ages - I too felt so guilt ridden by my lack of control but, the guilt does go away and I have since learnt to count to 10 before it all gets on top of me and so far so good.

aloha · 19/10/2004 13:48

I think it's normal. I used to get dh to take over when I felt like losing it, and vice versa.

Original poster

moomina · 19/10/2004 15:44

Thanks guys - knew you'd make me feel better.

Now I just need to find a dh to take over in the night

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aloha · 19/10/2004 16:31

Sorry, if you are doing it alone then you aren't just normal, you are heroic.

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