At times, our house is a little too chaotic. My youngest is 2 and reminds us daily of her need to be in control. My oldest is 4 and likes to remind her younger sister that she is the boss.
I love my kids, but at times they drive me crazy! Does anyone else feel this way? What can you do when you need a break? Here’s what I do:
Go Outside
I know you want a nap.
Desperately.
You wish they would be quiet and slow down long enough for you to just get 30 minutes in. The last thing you feel like doing is going outside. Did you know that a little Vitamin D aids with battling depression?
Getting some fresh air and sunlight can lighten your mood. It will help you forget about all the laundry that you have piled up.
Not only that, if you wear the kids out enough, they may nap when they come back inside.
Hire a Babysitter
Hire a BabysitterYou may not live around family, or feel like you use family too much.
Ask your friends and coworkers for recommendations for a babysitter.
Then go watch that movie you’ve been dying to see. Get dressed up and go to a fancy restaurant. Hire a babysitter so you can recharge!
Have a Mental Health Day
This may require #2. If your spouse is off one day, put them in charge and you take a mental health day!
Go to the spa, spend the day in Barnes & Nobles reading, do something to de-stress.
Break Out the Art Supplies
I know you are thinking that making a bigger mess will add to your stress.
I haven’t met a kid yet that didn’t slow down long enough to paint, draw or color.
Crayola has mess free art supplies with their color wonder line of markers. If you are worried about a mess, use a Dollar Store plastic tablecloth to cover the surface the kids are working on.
Use washable art supplies in case the coloring gets out of hand. Trust me, I know.
Schedule a Play Date
When your kids are driving you crazy, it helps to be surrounded by a friend who’s kids are also driving them crazy.
It reminds you that what your kids are doing is normal, and you aren’t going through this alone.
I promise you, your kids aren’t the only ones doing weird and crazy things!
Invite a Friend Over
Real friends don’t judge you or your house.
They just step over the princesses, trucks, and crayons and sit on the couch with you and your kid.
A little laughter and friendship helps you relax and not think about how much your kids are driving you crazy.
And Last But Not Least, Walk Away When the Crazy Gets Unbearable
As long as your children aren’t in immediate danger, sometimes walking away is the best response. For the first six weeks of youngest daughter’s life, she cried for several hours a night every night. It pained me to see her cry in pain, but other than gripe water, nothing seemed to help. I knew it wasn’t her fault, but
For the first six weeks of youngest daughter’s life, she cried for several hours a night every night. It pained me to see her cry in pain, but other than gripe water, nothing seemed to help. I knew it wasn’t her fault, but lack of sleep and endless crying works on your nerves and emotions.
Sometimes I had to pass her to my husband or lay her down. Sometimes to cry, and other times to get my mind together before I tried rocking her again.
Today, my four year old asked for yogurt with granola. A few minutes later, she said she didn’t want it and cried when we told her she had to eat it. She started coughing until she made herself throw up.
As she was crying, I had to just walk away. It was more productive than yelling and telling her she had to eat it. If I haven’t learned anything about motherhood, I’ve learned that it’s okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and it’s okay to ask for help.
What do you do when your kids are driving you crazy? I’d love to hear all about it! Comment below. Subscribe to the blog to hear more stories about motherhood!
These are some great tips! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Pam! I’m glad you enjoyed.
I always love these parenting posts. It’s so refreshing to me as a new-ish mom to know that I’m not the only one that goes through these times
Marci, isn’t it refreshing to know you aren’t alone! I’m glad this was helpful to you.
Great tips! I don’t have kids yet but am so lucky my mom lives so close that I know I will be able to call her if I ever need some time!
Yes, you are very lucky. Having someone you love & trust near your kids is invaluable.
I don’t have kids yet, but reading your post makes me think how much I appreciate my mother and that you are a great mom!
http://www.siniciliya.com
That is so sweet! Thank you!
Great tips indeed! And I agree, walking away sometimes is the best and can even help behavior.
Yes, it shows your kid that you don’t condone their behavior & keeps you from completely losing it.
I agree sometimes it is better to have time out to be a better, more sane parent as living with a child 24/7 can get chaotic. I like the cute pictures!
Thank you Ana!
I love this post! we are currently in the terrible fours phase (thats a thing right?) and sometimes I have to sit down, take a breath and do something different so i don’t go crazy :p love them all the time though
Yes it is a thing! Kids hit the crazy trying stage at different ages.
These are great tips. The kids can drive you crazy sometimes. These activities will definitely keep them busy.
These are fab tips! I don’t have children but can imagine these would really work. I’ve babysat a few times and will use these next time, as the kids always end up driving you crazy after a long day!
Yes, these tips will work for you too!
Mommy love is unconditional. Even during the driving me crazy times.
So true Jill. Nothing like a mother’s love.
These are awesome tips! While I love my kids, some days they definitely wear me thin! I have had several occasions where I have needed to take a time out for myself, and go lock myself in the bathroom 🙂 Go outside is one of my favorite ideas as well. Burn some of that crazy energy!
Heather, I understand those days completely! I’ve had many of those 🙂
What always worked well for me was to put them in water 🙂 Fill the bath tub, break out the bath toys and let them play. Making sure of course that they are old enough! My kids could entertain themselves for long stretches of time in the tub.
Wow, what a great idea! Thank you for sharing. I’ll have to try that.
This is a great post. Most of us who are parents are driven crazy by our bundles of joy on a daily basis. But you are right, we do still love them.
Thanks! I appreciate that. It’s nice to know others feel the same wat
Your lil’ girls are adorable. I love the idea of whipping out the art supplies – I believe creativity soothes the beast in all of us.
Thank you Yona! Art does some magical to them, even if it’s only 30 minutes.
Love this post! Found you from the FB thread. Your girls are adorable! My kids are almost 4 and almost 2 and this sounds SO familiar!
Thanks Sara! You are too sweet. I’m glad you can relate!
You clearly wrote this for me this week! With our oldest being home from school it’s been a bit of an adjustment. Love these suggestions! Going outside and art have been my go-to’s as of late.
Girl, color wonder products have saved my life.
Did you write this post about me?!?!? I feel like some days are so hard even with the most angelic of kids. Thanks for sharing!!
That’s so true mama, you got this!
This is so so great and helpful! I have always tried to walk away and catch my compusure if needed, but I try all of the other things to hopefully keep it from getting there. You just never know with them sometimes though 🙂
I think we’ve all been there when our kids are having those moments. No judgment here! 🙂
I love these tips! I definitely use outside and crafts a lot!
Thanks Kimberly! They are my saving grace during school holidays.
Great tip Diedre! Mine is starting to drive me nuts sometimes as well and I am a big fan of going outside, a bit of fresh air and sunshine always helps. Need to talk to the hubby about that spa day though, so tempting! Thanks for linking up at Working Mommy Abroad, have shared 🙂
Thanks Tineke! Yes, get on that spa day ASAP. You won’t regret it..and your hubby will see how happy it makes you!
Goodness, I needed this post. There have been a lot of tears at my home recently and not my kid.
Awww…Tamara. I can totally relate. I hope some of these ideas helped you mama!