This parenting gig is tiring!

This morning in our house has been one kiddy disaster after another. DS2 got into the toilet and decided he should 'clean' it. Using the toilet brush, he proceeded to dip it into the unflushed toilet (thankfully, it only had wee and toilet paper in it!) and 'clean' the seat, the top, the floor, the door and the basin. He splashed the water over himself too. So I had to clean him and change him, and then clean the toilet, floor and basin. Since I was using cleaning products and boiling water, I didn't want the kids around, so sent them out side.

Que kiddy disaster #2. DS's 1 and 2 thought it would be a great idea to play with my potted plants, which I had taken down off their hangers (they hang under our verandah from the roof) and put out into the rain yesterday. Mud, bits of plants and potting mix every where. In their just-washed yesterday hair. Over DS2's just-changed-for-the-second-time-clothes. DS2 ate some for good measure too. It was also in his eyes because DS1 threw it in there. All over the foot path, clods of it on the wall. I yell at them, get them to clean some of it up, clean them up and bring them inside to have a snack and watch some tv, so I can clean the rest of the mess up.

Cue kiddy disaster #3. DS2, ever creative little creature that he is, pulled out his little chair which lives under the lounge, put it up (I didn't even know he knew how to do it, it's a little fold up chair) and thought it would be fun to squish his strawberries and banana into the tv cabinet. And the new tv. And the carpet. Get him to clean it up, clean him up AGAIN. Put him to bed.

On top of everything else I have to do, most days I am just managing the disasters the kids create. I try to do things with them, give them interesting stuff to do. Go out, park, play group, library...yada yada. I like to leave them to their own devices sometimes. I think it's important they learn to do things by themselves without direction from an adult. But they're so destructive when I do things without watching them every second. I don't want to be a helicopter parent, but by the way they act (mostly my boys! DD can regulate herself and behaviours really well, and always could.) I have to be with them, which them makes me grumpy cause I can't do what I need to and I can't have a little break from them, even if it is just cause I am washing dishes in peace! I feel so exhausted and over feeling inadequate and not enough to provide them with stimulating things to do.

:hug: hun, I only have one but he sounds EXACTLY like your DS2. Even when I'm watching and attempting to play with him he'd prefer to destroy the place. Its exhausting and makes more really sad that we can't just have fun together.
Sorry to to make it all about me, I'm just trying to say, I hear you, I know what its like, you are not alone.

Thanks hun, it does help to know my kids are normal, lol!

Today has been a rather craptastic day for me, which has made it all the worse. I think, because I don't feel so great, the kids are extra mischievous. Plus I haven't done alot the past few days with them, because of public holiday and school holidays, nothing is on or open.

Tonight, I'm hanging on for bed time!

And it happens so quickly too. DS was colouring in tonight, I was quite proud of him, DH had put something on TV that DD was interested in and DS thought it was boring so he found something else to do. Thought that was pretty good. He was peacefully colouring one minute when I looked, the next he had poured half his water bottle all over his drawing and the bench :wall:

I went and said "Oh dear, what's happened here? We'll have to clean it up" and then had to throw out his (sopping wet) drawing, which then of course caused a meltdown - "Mummy threw out my drawing!" Sigh!

:hug: Some days feel like they are never going to end. Hope you get some peace tonight!