I never said I didn't enjoy it...I constantly hear from hubby how he doesn't know how I can handel it, how I cope with it all the time...I tell him quite simply...they are mine, and I love them! It doesn't mean mommy doesn't get frustraited and yells some times...but they are children..and this is the way they are ment to be...of course i wouldn't complain if maybe they could just Listen a little better lol

LOL

That is so true!!!

I had to implement "I am not your mother/wife" time. For about 30 minutes after I come home from work, no one is allowed to bother me. The only exceptions are blood, bones sticking out, house on fire. Otherwise, "I am not your mother right now".

Jamie, I am the mother of 4 kiddoes and I hear ya.

Do NOT be afraid to claim some "me" time.

It took me a long time to realize that I actually earned respect from my kids when I did stand up for my time. And I think in the long run it made them start thinking of me as a real person and not just their mom. And, also in the long run, it made them more aware of their own time and how to use it to their advantage.

I've now got 4 college graduates instead of 4 small children, and they are beginning to have children of their own. I have the MOST FUN seeing them struggle now with their children.

Although, they do get kind of mad at me when I laugh out loud while they are trying to discipline their offspring! But sometimes I just can't help it!

Choked when I read this, love it! We have a huge cage in the bed of our truck that we sometimes transport calves/goats in. Always have someone ask what that cage is for. Aways answer "Grandkids" and get quite a reaction too. :lol:

Why do you think I always have Duct Tape? ;)

Here is my two cents worth and what worked for me when my two boys were younger. They are now 17 and 19 and are good kids.
I found that by giving them attention and giving them things to look forward to it would make them behave better. I loved them being little so easy to bribe (much harder now lol)
I would get up earlier to get things done and while they had breakfast do the things that needed getting done. Then after breakfast usual getting dressed teeth brushed and that is when i talked about what they would like to do today. Sometimes we would go to the park and i would take a ball and get them to run around like crazy and we would also have a picnic. Come home and have quiet time drawing and quiet playing while I supervised and did chores and got dinner organised. After lunch nap time if they needed it and do activities when older from gluing, painting, playdough and even cooking making cakes and biscuits. At times when they had too many beans we went for another walk in the afternoon so I guess what i am saying is routine really helps and find what each kids really favourite past time is and then you can bribe!! It is harder for you with the different ages so I hope you find what works to make life easier for you. I loved the time when the kids were little but at the time it was hard work and i didnt get much me time. I did occasionally go out for coffee and shopping to get me time which makes all the difference especially when things are tough. So hang in there and take it a day at a time and one day you will look back and think where have all the years gone...

Mom could sit and hand piece in the kennel while the kids sit and watch the strange sight.
I can see the headlines now- Kids have captured a "wild" mom who is in stitches. :wink: :wink: :wink:

I recently told someone that the one thing that being a parent taught me was deferred gratification..... I am still waiting.
OHsue

Sue, I can honestly say that I have experienced, finally, that gratification. Recently all 4 of my children were together for a dinner following a performance of my youngest in a college play. I was struck by the realization that all 4 of them were in one place at one time, and they were LAUGHING!!! TOGETHER!!! NOT AT EACH OTHER, BUT WITH EACH OTHER!!!

They all said that they would have to do this more often. I smiled. It was great.

But many years in the making.