I just spent the last two hours waiting for some toys to get put away. I did start off nice and gentle, keeping them both on the right track (not play time, pack away time). I started off in the kitchen, and encouraged from there, before going outside to do some work. I would come in to see what they were up to, and there would be MORE toys out, instead of (hopefully even just a couple) less.

It took them so long to do nothing at all that I have put them to bed without lunch. As soon as I put my foot down that they were going to bed without food, Steph started to cry, and Rhino started to pack up. Erm, no, sorry, not interested in the tears, and a little too late for packing up now.

Steph complains that it is too hard to pack up, yet will get all the toys out with ease. I try to get them to pack up when they have finished with one toy before getting out the next, but to no avail. Steph reckons that she does pack up, but Rhino isn't doing anything except playing. She doesn't do ANYTHING except play!

I don't expect that ALL of the toys be put away, let alone EXACTLY where they should go (I don't mind fixing all that up), but just PLEASE would SOMETHING get picked up?! I kid you not that I cannot see the loungeroom floor for toys strewn across it from one side o the other.

The Man says that I am being too hard on them, and to remember that they are only two and four. I have asked him, so at what age ARE they old enough to start picking up after themselves? No reply except rudeness.

Am I being too hard on them?

What should be expected of children now? Do I just pick up after them for the rest of their lives, or fight with them as teenagers (as we both now have to do with the Boy, since he has never been made to pick up after himself, and s**** on anything I have to say)? Or shall I just get it over with now and slit my wrists so that they can have my blood too?

Yes, I am angry. I've had enough of being treated like a freekn slave. By my two young children and the other people in this house. And so, unfortunately, my two young children have to bear the brunt of me getting so angry and peeved off at the others who live here. For some reason, and I wonder why (not), this thread is just all so familiar. I am sure that I keep writing about the same old stuff every couple of months. AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! I am just unable to do this continually. The Man is not here to help, and when he is, has no better success than I, nor is he able to keep his cool any better. I swear, this is just making me rage.

They are both now asleep, after yelling and shouting (my throat hurts everyday), and slamming doors. I hate doing that, and hate myself for doing it.