Hi.
I have a 6 yr old DS and an 18 month old DD.
My 6 year old on his own is well behaved and pleasant. Throw DD into the mix and it all goes wrong.
DS is currently off school on summer holidays and DP works 10 hours a day so it's all down to me to do.
I am crap at the moment. My main problem is everything DS wants to play with, DD will destroy -not intentionally but just grabbing at it, pulling herself up to DS and standing on him, screaming when she wants a toy.
It all sounds normal and no big deal now I write it down but during the day I feel like my head will explode.
Poor DS wants my attention, wants his toys out and wants to play with me. DD wants all his toys, can not be contained and will basically stomp through any game or activity I set up for him.
Earlier I tried to do painting with DS at the dining table but DD is fairly tall and kept reaching up and whinging for paints. I got out the baby finger paints but she just wanted to eat them and then whinged to get DS's picture and wanted his paintbrush.
It's relentless. I am running out of energy.
I come up with these ideas and I start with enthusiasm but I am just not doing well.
I got DS to read DD a story earlier, DD was grabbing the book trying to turn the page. I know it's normal but DS really is suffering. In the end I just put the TV on for 2 hours and let DS watch that because I actually had no idea what to do with them.
DD on her own, when getting all the attention is OK. DS on his own is OK. So why can I not make it work when we're all together? Why does it always end in tears or me shouting?
We try and get out once a day but even a trip to the park can end with DD in tears when she can't climb up to DS or it's time to leave or a leaf blows in the wrong direction! I also feel like I can't give DS any time or attention when we're out without her kicking off. The are just at such different ages developmentally. How can I incorperate the two? I need ideas for tomorrow please!!!
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How do people cope with a 6 yr old and an 18 month old??? I'm not doing a good job so far and I need HELP.
25 replies
Vow11 · 19/08/2013 20:57
OP posts:
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