My boys are 10, 9, and the youngest will be 5 next month. School has been out since 6/4. I am my witts end already. Its the constant tattling, fighting, bickering, cheap shots, not listening and the list can go on. I am in the works of trying to do my husbands book for fathers day and I have to throw in the towel on that because of them. Its not going to be done or here by next week. I should have had this done 2 weeks ago. I have tried separating them, a simple project at the local pottery shop to paint some pottery caused an argument. I can not afford child care for them this summer thats why I am off for the summer from doing temp work while my husband works. The oldest 2 are going to summer school for about 4 1/2 hours starting next week Monday - Friday. I just want to have a break down right now. If I could I would pack my bags and run up to Chicago and hide at my brother or sisters house till school starts.
#1 Website for Digital Scrapbooking and Hybrid Crafting.
Awww, I'm sorry you're having a tough time right now. I'm not a parent, so I don't have any advise for you, but wanted to let you know we're listening.
Wow, Laura, so sorry you are having such a hard time. I think maybe you need to make some rules. There were six kids in my family (all stairstepped) and it was many years ago...how did my Mom handle it, very simply she would ask:
"Are you bleeding? If not work it out and go back and play!" I think you need to determine some boundaries and then hold them to it.
Hang in there, you will make it through. Perhaps you can show your husband the beginning of his gift and then after Father's Day have him take the kids on some day trips to give you the time you need to finish the photobook.
I had 4 and they do like to test you. Sounds like you need to not only seperate them at times but have some activities for them. I used to have craft time and they loved to create, draw, color, cut, etc. Have them create their own cards and gifts. I also had them clean up after themselvess. I still have some of their creations.While they are doing their projects, you can do yours. I also would overlook the small stuff and tell them to work it out with each other as long as they are not hurting each other they need to learrn how to deal with eeach other. It does not get any easier, it just changes as they grow.
I even used the same with grandchildren and it is fun to see them enjoy crafting.
Enjoy
I am a great grandmother and trust me it is the same for them all. Right now I have my oldest great here he will be 6 this month. My youngerst grand lives 8 tenths of a mile away. I get the same with them. What I do is every time they fight over a toy [the toy goes on time out]. I also put them in charge of what will happen when they misbehave. Sort of if you do this, then this will happen. I agree about the crafts but my all time favorite activity is Play dough. It seems to keep them occupied for hours. Coloring books and crayons are great too. Hope this helps.
I have a 4 year old niece and 8 year old nephew and together with their parents and my parents we all live together. So although I'm not a stay at home mom I am a stay at home aunt for the summer. I'm also an elementary school teacher so I'm used to dealing with 24 same-age children. I agree with Sharron about the toy going into time out if kids are fighting over it. Different activities and personal space is always helpful. Maybe set up a little rotation with reading, crafts, TV, puzzles, etc....Pick three activities that are pretty generic and let them work their way through them in a rotation with each child doing something at the station. Keep it simple so even the 5 year old can do it independently and let the craft station be with you. Reading a book together or working on a jigsaw puzzle could also be fun.
@Sharron I LOVE the "toy time out" action! Made me chuckle and I will be telling my niece about it!
Sorry you are having such a rough time. Toy time out sounds a great idea!
Its all been done. Summer school starts Monday for the older 2 so that will be a break for a few hours. Everything turns into a fight with them. I had them both is time out in different ends of the house and the still managed to fight.
I know how you feel. I swear kids are born knowing which buttons to push to get to Mom. I have my 5 year old great grandson here and the 6 year grandson lives near by and they are constantly fighting. I swear if I spanked them both one would complain that the other got more swats... hahaha I do have a nice collection of Disney movies and other kid movies and that will work some of the time. You definitely have my sympathy because I can send the grands and greats home and get some peace and quiet. Just hang in there
Laura, I just want to reach out & give you a big 'ol cyber hug (since I can't do it in person). I know exactly what you're going through. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but I don't - we're still struggling with that issue at our home as well. But, I will say this, they HATE going to bed early. Just even the mention of a 7 pm bed time usually gets them to stop... We do a LOT of time-outs, too, as well as taking away of privileges.
Things have gotten better this week. They started summer school this past Monday and my husband finally got their pool up. So its calmed down some.
Laura I am so glad it has gotten better for you. I do know the frustration I have been there, done that, and even have the T shirt hahaha,
I went through it with my kids, then my grandkids and now the great grands and if that wasn't enough I lived and worked in a Boy Scout camp for 25 years teaching handicrafts, [basketry, leatherwork, woodcarving, theater, textiles and metal work] Think I lost some of my sanity along the way but it was fun watching the kids create
To me it seems like they just love to drive me to my breaking point. Having depression really doesnt help. I swear they know I have it and they love pushing that button on me.
@Laura: I know what you mean... It seems like a lot of kids do that these days - esp. teens. My eldest has been doing & saying things all weekend to try to make me mad, and rather than just sit & take it I've been giving it back. Oh, how he doesn't like that.
Sending a big 'ol ((HUG)) your way...