If your kid doesn't nap...

LoriZ

How do you make it through the day?  DD and I get more and more frustrated with each other as the day goes on.  I feel like by dinnertime every other sentence out of my mouth is, "If you do that, you're going to timeout."

Making her stay in her room for an hour or so isn't an option.  She causes physical damage to the room when I try--scratches the walls with hard objects, etc.

I'm at a loss here.  I need to find a solution.  I feel like I don't get a break all day, and she's clearly in need of a break, also.

warriormomerin

My only saving grace is when DD comes home and they play together, usually outside. Otherwise, DS is the same way. He's a monster from dinner time til bedtime.

Hopefully someone will have some words of wisdom for us because I'm pulling my hair out here.

kel716

We've found an earlier bedtime helps (he still gets up at about the same time...  we just knocked it back in 15 minute intervals over the course of about 10 days or so).

I try to do 'independent play' sorts of things earlier in the day so he can be completely dependent on me in the evening (when he still needs a nap but won't take one).  Then I play with him... eg, baseball, puzzles, read books, play cars, etc...  If I'm giving him my attention, he's less likely to act out. 

The only other thing that helps is the hour of quiet time with a dvd in his room.  I hate the dvd part, but it's our sanity.  And he's not destroying anything.. or I'd be in the same position as you are.