How can I be more patient with my 2.5 year old toddler?

Question

By bathtime I turn into Mean Mummy - I'm so tired and grumpy by the end of the day (I'm also breastfeeding 12 week old twins!). I find I have no patience and can be drawn into arguments with her, telling her she is being deliberately naughty, raising my voice, issuing orders, not handling her as gently as I should etc etc. Then I feel terribly guilty after she has gone to bed.... Deep breaths and counting to 10 don't seem to cut it. I want to be a loving mother throughout the day - how do I make it last until bedtime?

Answer 1

I think toddlers are meant to test the strongest of us!
i have a three year old and am 15 weeks pregnant with my second and ready for bed well before my daughter is and irritable and grouchy. My partner helps out a lot with taking over bath and bed time and gives me a 2 hour time to myself time through the day so i can catch up on sleep and then be more patient with her when im awake.
I feel bad that i am not spending the time i did with her before i was pregnant but the time i do spend with her i make special and she can be instantly distracted talking about hw she is going to be the bestest big sister in the world etc.
When i really am all that tired i turn things into a game, a game so that i can sit down and relax but also keep her on her toes by playing simple games like finding particular things around the house, and also encouraging her to show me "what a big girl she can be by dressing herself etc,,,, all makes her feel really grown up and makes my job a lot easier than chasing her round to get undressed and into bed!

Answer 2

I know this is easier said than done (especially by the end of the day), but I find when my children are playing up if I make an effort to change the subject/distract them somehow it usually diffuses the situation before I start losing my temper and regretting it.

I also find I am a much nicer calmer mum if I get a little bit of me time once in a while, just something simple like my husband looking after our girls whilst I soak in the bath and listen to relaxing music for a short while can make the world of difference.

Try to remember all mums have days like that, no-ones perfect.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Answer 3

i know how you feel by the time its bath time my little 2 year old boy has sometimes worn me right down, my husband helps me out by bathing him,leaving me to have a cuppa and a mo to chill.
but when hes not there it can be very hard to cope with....
Ive been trying to make a racing game out of it that way its over and done with and we can do the bedtime story and then to bed.
PS you are on human and we all have our limits don't put your self down when you don't always get it right....
try finding some time in the day when the twins are asleep and spend it with her, reading a story and having a cuddle together she may be missing the time she used to have with you before the twins arrived.
good luck and keep you chin up xx

Answer 4

Listen . . . . . . .
We all know EXACTLY what you mean! Let that be a bit of encouragement.

Oh, and it does get better.

. . . . . . . . but rather slowly!

I was a house husband for a time, but now they are 35, 32 and 23, I wouldn't have missed a bit.

Answer 5

the answer to this question is WHERES DADDY.You need to get him to do the bathing .With two babies you should be putting your feet up and sitting with a sweetheart stout this will give you energy with iron if you are breast feeding and it will help you relax.