On the edge of insanity

[saltypearl]

What is your trick(s) when your kid(s) push you to the edge of insanity?  I have to build more tools into this collection since there isn't another person to pass my little terrorists onto.

[becwheat]

The (perfect) mom in me would say:

• Go for a walk (even in the cold)
  
• make paper bag puppets and have a show
• Have a tea Party
• find an indoor playground or pool to let them burn energy

The former (near the brink of a mental breakdown) mom in me would say:

• Get a sitter or ask a family member to watch them for 2 hours and take a bath, nap or both.
• Use an ipad, phone or TV to distract the little terrorists
• Reward (some call it bribing) those old enough to understand with a prize for having quiet play time.

When all else fails put them in a safe place (playpen, room, crib) and step out of the room for 5 mins to collect yourself. 

I have also listened to audiobooks or music with headphones while DD played loudly for a few minutes. In the winter, sometimes kids just need to get out pent up energy.

[20thirteen]

When DD pushes me to the edge, I put her in her crib for about 5min. During that 5min, I call my mom and she listens to me cry about being such a terrible parent that I had to put DD in her crib because I was going to go insane. When the 5min is up, I pick up DD and rock her until she calms down. She's 1.5yo so that is what works for me for the time being...

[helenahhandbasket]

Well-- I only have one, and she's a bit older than your two-- but I tell her to go into her room and play alone for a bit.

When she was younger, I would for sure put her in her crib and let her cry for a bit if that's what she needed to do.

[ontherock2012]

Ipad, phone, cartoons, books ... Whatever I can find for a distraction. Craft projects, anything involving glue and scissors is usually good.
Then I pray for 8pm to show up.

[picklesx]

I will usually put him in his room and let him play by himself for 5 or 10 minutes so I can sit down and collect myself to avoid unfairly losing my temper with him. He doesn't mind and will play contently but I still feel bad about it for a little bit.

[saltypearl]

DD got the choice between going to bed and eating dinner last night. She chose go to bed. It was a no story no teeth brushing because I needed to cool down and put baby to bed. Wow she knows how to push buttons already.

[excited30]

My dd is almost 3. I wouldn't hesitate to put her in her room if I'm super close to losing it. That OR I put myself in mommy time out. I tell her she'd better not come into my room. Mommy is in a time out and mommy is angry right now. This is the best that I can do. That, OR my go-to is getting outside. I get us outside and I go for a power walk. IF she's lucky she gets to get out for a run/play after mommy's calmed down.

[Deleted]

Mine is 4... but I have put him in the crib when small and took a shower to cool off before comforting him when we were at the breaking pt.when terribly small and unable to use reason to problem solve. Sometimes ( I live in the cold Midwest) we head to a McD and I grab a coffee and hamburg. and play it off. Saltypearl- my guy is willing to skip dinner or go to bed to prove his point. He has will power like NOBODYS bidness. Im not proud of it, but when my car had $$$ repairs-- and I was melting just a bit... I offered a little more Ipad than is strictly necessary to getthe situation handled. Other times I somehow just turn it. Stand outside for a sec in the cold, also I have just asked him flat out. I hear your words and that you feel frustrated. I feel frustrated too... what can we do to to solve this problem? Sometimes he comes up with the best answers!