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Parenting

What are your Parenting Flashpoints?

82 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 25/10/2006 16:22

What makes you furious with your kids? Do you think any of your flashpoints are ok? Are there ones you're trying to fix?

I'll go first - I have two big flashpoints. I cannot stand cruelty to animals, of any sort. I'm keeping this flashpoint. I also completely lose it when DS1 cries with frustration, but I'm trying to fix that one (see other thread).

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CountessDracula · 25/10/2006 16:24

Having my clothes pulled makes me Especially those that go out of shape. It is such a basic thing to understand not to pull them yet she still does it.

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Raggydoll · 25/10/2006 16:25

whineing (sp)

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quanglewangle · 25/10/2006 16:26

Couldn't, and still can't, stand being prodded. Speak to me fgs.

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Cashncarry · 25/10/2006 16:27

when my two year old DD climbs all over me and digs her elbows into my t*ts and her knees into my stomach - feels like I'm turning into the Incredible Hulk!

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jellyhead · 25/10/2006 16:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Earlybird · 25/10/2006 16:32

The fact that I simply cannot make an important phone call with dd around. Even when I tell/ask her in advance to not interrupt, she simply can't help herself and keeps pestering - even when I walk into another room, gesture "ssshhhh" with fingers to lips, hold my hand up in a "stop" gesture, or glare with a face like thunder. She has no ability to wait until I am available, and simply becomes more and more annoying until I am livid and cannot even concentrate on the phone conversation.

Whew! I feel better for having gotten that out of my system....can you tell it happened again only a short while ago??

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rosie79 · 25/10/2006 16:57

It really annoys me when DS climbs all over me and has to be right next to me or on top of me (usually when I am doing something really important or trying to eat or talk to a friend).

Also, when he still puts his hand down my top to 'grope' my breasts when he is really tired and I'm holding him. It is sooooo embarassing, he's 3.5!

I guess those are more things that make me annoyed rather than furious though.

NQC the not tollerating cruelty to animals is a really godd one. I think it is good to get furious about certain very important things! I came down like a ton of bricks on ds when he was younger and pulled the cat's tail. He's nothing but gentle to her now.

Ripping books made me furious, ds was about 2 i think, he hasn't done it since!

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NotQuiteCockney · 25/10/2006 17:00

Yeah, I'm not fond of being prodded.

DS1 has a charming habit of sorta stroking my breasts to try to calm me down when I'm annoyed. Doesn't work! I probably shouldn't let it bug me.

Those who've posted their flashpoints - are you happy with them? Or are you trying to not get annoyed by them?

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rosie79 · 25/10/2006 17:11

I try so hard not to get annoyed at them, but when I've had a long day or am stressed already with ds's behaviour it is hard. Read yoyur other post too and have similar problem when ds is crying because he can't get his own way.

One coping strategy I have is to just imagine getting really angry at him, that is enough of a release of tension to then deal with the problem more calmly.

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danceswiththedevil · 25/10/2006 17:21

Oh the whingeing thing for me, oh and also the phone thing. Ds and Dd can be playing beautifully and then as SOON as I start talking on the phone they start squabbling then one comes in shouting at me to fix it. If I move into the other room they follow me...and so it goes on... grrrrrr.

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CountessDracula · 25/10/2006 17:22

No I continue to get cross if my clothes are pulled and I think it is justified!

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foxinsocks · 25/10/2006 17:30

I can't be doing with clothes pulling but ds's fave is to hide under my clothes while I have them on (and he is well old enough to know better) - so we'll be standing in the playground and I'll feel a bit draughty and realise he has lifted the back of my skirt up and draipsed it over his head ggrrrrr. Thankfully, I'm more of a trousers gal.

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foxinsocks · 25/10/2006 17:31

also, feet dragging as a form of protest when we are out winds me up

(but I have got better at dealing with these all!)

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heifer · 25/10/2006 17:56

That face... you know the one, the one which makes me want to slap it (but obviously don't before anyone starts at me)......

That pouty face..

My worst flare up is when she jumps on my back when I am sat on the Settee on MN.... I always shout at her, can't seem to stop myself...

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NotQuiteCockney · 25/10/2006 18:33

Oh, I have a trick for the pouty face: I always try to grab the lower lip, claiming I want it as a snack. It's very hard for a child to snicker and pout at the same time (they do try, though!). This seems to stop the whole thing, or at least reduce it.

(I also claim to be unable to understand things said in whiny voices. )

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IamBlossom · 25/10/2006 19:04

when they go rigid when you want to put them in their car seat - or lean over the other side when you are trying to put the straps on, cos they are reaching for a toy to play with "JUST WAIT Harry and I'll GET IT for you, SIT DOOOOOOOWWWWN!!!" Or when I am asking him 70 times to do something and DS2 is screaming cos he needs feeding, my temper is very short at those moments.........flashpoint is a good word to describe the feeling cos it dies away as quickly as it arrives.....

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rosie79 · 25/10/2006 22:05

I too don't understand whiny voices, or crying voices either

Iamblossom the going rigid thing is sooo frustrating, especially as they get older/stronger!

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colditz · 25/10/2006 22:12

Running away. Makes me want to bellow in rage and fear. Both infuriates and terrifies me.

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ginmummy · 25/10/2006 22:12

DS deliberately talking loudly when I'm on the phone.

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expatinscotland · 25/10/2006 22:13

DD1, whingeing.

DD2, nipping. She nips rather hard and it can really hurt.

She can also emit very piercing shrieks.

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jampots · 25/10/2006 22:13

screaming/shouting gets my goat from any child

also, pulling my clothes also grates on my nerves

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EmmyLou · 25/10/2006 22:55

Clothes being pulled too. Having notes saying "Can we go on the computer? Pleeeeease" thrust under my nose when I'm on the phone. (They can sniff a vulnerable might-just-say-yes-by-mistake mother at 100 yards) Grrr.

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TinyGang · 25/10/2006 23:05

Interrupting conversations - especially if dh and I are trying to speak. Or anyone come to that. I absolutely won't have it.

Also remembering manners and not messing around with food.

(Victorian mummy aren't I?)

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FloatingHeadOnTheMed · 25/10/2006 23:15

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BernieBear · 26/10/2006 08:56

Whinging and the groping of the boobies - drives me bl**dy insane. We usually end up arguing about whose boobies they are. The way of coping??? Walk into another room and perform a number of exagerated "silent" screams whilst waving arms in air and stamping feet, then return with beautific smile on face with teeth quietly clenched. Whinging gets him no where and they are MY BOOBIES fgs.

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