Some days are just too much...

[celadon]

Sure I am doing self-led weaning, and still nursing at almost 2.  I don't let my kids "cry-it-out".  LUke slept with me until he was 3, Sara is still sleeping with me.  I wore Sara for most of the 1st year and still do sometimes.  I try to feed them a complete, balanced diet with very little processed food.  I use cloth.  Yet, every single day I struggle with yelling.  I lose my temper.  I can't stand the whining.  Then, that of course makes me feel so guilty.  Then I feel even worse, and it exacerbates the whole screaming, whining combo. 

My son is very loud and vocal and bouncy.  He is very smart but can't get himself dressed and refuses to try to do anything for himself besides feed himself.  He is luckily potty learned but still has an accident every now and then because he won't get up to go.  My daughter wants to nurse about 5-6 times during the day which is about 2 more than I would like. 

It isn't them... it is me.  I just get so stressed about our financial state and get overwhelmed.  I really need to start going to counseling.  I think it would help alot to learn how to deal with my anger and stress.   

[klkoepfler]

Aug. 8, 2007 at 3:33 PM

It is you and your children.  You do everything for them (letting them sleep with you, carrying them around on your breast).  They still feel like babies cause they are not maturing.  Its going to take a while but if you want any sanity you are going to have to do some major weaning.  Good Luck!

[Cecropia]

Aug. 8, 2007 at 4:49 PM

Your first paragraph is pretty much my life, except I have a 3 yo and a 2 mo old.  I also find myself yelling too much at my toddler.  We've gone through lots of transition since last November (living arrangements, potty training, baby) and it's been sooo hot lately, it's really no wonder that he is acting up more than he used to.  It's been a lot of transition for me as well.  Especially when both kids want me NOW is when I lose it.  I find that it's so much worse when I'm tired, hungry, or needing a shower, etc. so taking care of my own basic needs is a priority for all our sakes.  In the same way your financial situation/stress is probably making things worse and you might want to make it a "family priority" to resolve it.

My toddler does a lot for himself but he gets frustrated easily.  He will scream loudly when frustrated.  We are working a lot on "calm down and try again" until he gets it right and it is helping.  As an example, he has to dress himself before eating a meal or going outside, or he at least has to give it several honest tries.  With the potty accidents, we found that reminding our son to go every hour or so really helped.

My mother was a yeller and I know that's where it comes from.  It's so hard to parent differently.