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I just need to whine about today a bit... Yesterday was so great, with all the children behaving and enjoying learning and spending time together. Well, today has been crazy. For starters, my 7 month old has been night-waking the last few nights (2-3 times a night, screaming) and the lack of sleep is catching up with me (before this she was sleeping 10-11 hours straight). I'm not sure if she's teething or her tummy is bothering her. Then there's the 2-year old boy, who has been my most difficult 2-year-old yet. If he doesn't get his way, he screams, bites, etc. My 4 and 5 year old boys are typical boys. My 7 year old dd is GREAT, so compliant and helpful. I've been trying to get school done all day, after an exhausting night, and the boys are just driving me crazy. And my precious little baby girl is driving me crazy too. I love nursing her, BUT, since I didn't introduce a bottle early enough in her life, she refuses to take one, so I never get a break. She wouldn't even let dh feed her babyfood today. She woke up from her afternoon nap after only an hour. I know she'll be fussy in a few hours (right around dinner time) and will want a 3rd nap but then that will be too close to bedtime.

I've never done well with schedules, but today I'm feeling like I've failed in that area and that all the behavior issues I'm having with my boys are my fault. And I'm wondering if it's time to stop so much feed-on-demand with the baby and actually try to put her on more of a schedule.

Here's an example of why I'm so stressed today. I spread the boys out in the living room almost an hour ago. One on each couch plus one on a blanket on the floor. The 2-year-old has been disciplined about 2 dozen times for getting off of his blanket and not being quiet. The 4-year-old has gotten up a couple of times. Even though the 4 and 5 year olds are mostly staying on their couches, they are still being loud and throwing things.

I was talking to dh about some of this and how it's hard to get school done on days like this, and he said something about taking a break from school once they finish up their current grade levels in mid-May. But taking a break from school will only make things worse in my opinion. We need to figure out a better routine, not take a break from one altogether.

Any advice? I know this probably has me sounding like a terrible mom... but for the most part they are good kids. Having 3 boys so close together in age is so hard though. My parents have made little comments here and there about their behavior, but since my parents only had 3 daughters, they really have no idea. My dad was an only child, so he really has no idea in that respect either.

ETA: Days like this make me wonder if I should get LHTH for the boys, but then I consider the fact that it only takes 30 minutes a day, so there's still plenty of time left in the day for them to need to find something to do. Today I let them paint with watercolors while dd was working on her phonics. It was only about 20 minutes before the 2-year-old starting painting himself, so I had to put a stop to that activity. If I had a fenced-in yard I'd let them out to play more (we live in the country). But lately there's been dogs wandering into our yard on occasion, so I don't want them out there without me.

I school year round, cause it gives us something to do instead of them just running around crazy, but it's light so there's still time to do other fun stuff. If you are not good a schedules, maybe a block schedule would help. Like dividing your day in to morning and afternoon or early and late morning and afternoon. So instead of having an exact time to do each thing, it may say something more like Early Mornning- breakfast, get dressed,brsh hair and teeth, bible, math, phonics, snack and then start on a late morning routine. I find I'm liking that more and I don't feel like I'm always behind. Just push snack and lunch farther, if we get up late and have a late breakfast.

My baby woke up from morning nap after half an hour too! I've also been concidering a more structured nursing routine. He spends A LOT of time, just suckling away. He hardley eats any food though. We co-sleep. I know I'm not getting the best sleep. But better than co-sleeping with #3. I know they'll come a time when I wont be able to sleep through it.

Hopfully you'll get more sleep tonight! And that the kids calm down. Can you go outside and let them run around a bit?

{{{Oh Sharon}}} You are not whining!!!!! Boys are tough and I can only imagine how you handle it. I honestly believe that this is why God only gave me 2 children!

But I babysit 2 boys. I can certainly relate! Although I don't have a baby in the mix. I can only do school in the afternoons when the littlest is down for a nap (and pray it's a good one) and I threaten the 3 and 4 yo to sit and watch a movie. Fortunately I can let them play outside, but boys are sneaky. I can't be too far from earshot or there is no telling what they will do.

Honestly I am hanging on for dear life for next fall when dd will be in Preparing and it will be more independent, and I can work more with the littles. All the advice in the world to "set up stations" for them or only have special toys for during school doesn't work for precocious, curious and active little boys!


Big hugs!!!!

We are going outside right now. Dd finished up her schoolwork so we're done for the day.

A few minutes ago I put the baby in her exersaucer in the kitchen so I could get supper in the oven for tonight. For about 15 minutes she cried (and screamed) but I had to let her cry so I could get supper ready. Then, I got her out once I was done and she was completely happy. She just wanted to be able to scoot around on the floor. So, she's apparently every bit as strong-willed as her 2-year-old brother...

Ok, I better get outside now. We are going to read from The Brave Little Toaster out there. I think dd will be the only one to listen, but that's fine!

Amy-
Yeah, I've tried the "special school-time toys" for my 2-year-old. The ONLY thing that has kept him occupied for more than about 3 minutes is a dry-erase board. If any of his siblings try to take it from him, watch out! I think I need to get some more of those boards!!!!! (They are the small ones)