Any words of encouragement for a frustrated mom?

Question

I'm at my wits end with my 1 1/2 year old..not to mention other things

Answer 1

Things do get better

Sometime's worse before better but it does happen.

Just remember other people have it worse.

Take some time to yourself. You deserve It. Just remember patience is a virtue

=] Good Luck!

Answer 2

Is this the same child who is sick and crying herself to sleep?

Answer 3

Take time for yourself! Even if you have to put your little one somewhere safe where he can't get hurt, go into your room and close the door for a few minutes! Read a book or magazine, take a nice shower, even just listen to some good music. They will all help you relax. Little ones can be extremely demanding and some ages are more difficult. Some personalities are just more difficult too. But remember they aren't little forever and one day, you will look back and laugh! Try to keep your little one on a schedule. It doesn't have to be really strict- just some sort of daily routine that keeps the day flowing. I actually have it posted on our fridge so I can look up there and remind myself! Another good thing is when my 3 get really grumpy or just are tired of being all cooped up together, I put them in the car and we just go for a ride! Its amazing, the silence!

Answer 4

ahh...I have one as well. She will be 2 yrs old in September. I also have a 7 month old to deal with also. Some days you just have to take a deep breath and tell yourself tomorrow will be a better day, hopefully. Every mother of a 1-2 yr old goes through frustrating days with their little one. Some nights after my hubby gets home I go for a walk around the neighborhood just to get out of the house, you will be amazed how nice the silence is. Try to get away at some point just to have a little silence for a while!

Answer 5

Lock yourself in the bathroom, crank a radio, stand in the shower until the hot water is gone :-)

Answer 6

You are good.  The journey from personhood to parenthood is often a difficult one - certainly it was difficult for me.  We do the best we can, that is all we can do.  With a 1 1/2 yr old, the only constant is change, so this too will pass.  Hang in there and get someone to come in and watch the kids for an afternoon and take a walk or better yet get a massage and be kind to yourself.  If you are depressed or run down, you have nothing to give to others.

Peace!

Answer 7

first of all why are you at your wits end?? what makes you so fustrated with a 1 1/2 year old??? dont get me wrong I also get fustrated with my children. Its just that if you know why you get fustrated maybe it will help with ways to cope with your fustration.

Answer 8

I know how hard it can be when so many things are going on in your life. Sometimes it feels as though you just want the world to stop. Things in our lives can be overwhelming at times, to say the least, ecspecially for a mother. You're probably feeling a little neglected or forgotten and wishing that you could have a little "me" time. Money might be a little tight and you're looking in your pantry trying to figure out what you're going to eat. Planning the next day is nearly impossible since you're just trying to get through this one. And on top of all that you have a baby screaming for your attention. I know because I have been there. Sometimes in our lives we have to just forget the small things and focus on the bigger task at hand which in this case is you. You are not super woman no matter what you think and youcan't be of any good to your child if you arent good for yourself. I hope you have an understanding husband or boyfriend, maybe you're going through this alone but whichever the case, put your baby to bed and relax in the tub. Light some candles if you wish and just relax. Think of all the good in your life, the happy times in your past. Places that you have been that were comfortable, people you have enjoyed being around. Maybe read a book if you like that sort of thing or listen to some soft music. It doesnt take much to let go of stress if you just let it go. You could set aside time every week, maybe 2-3 times a week, just for yourself. Then time spent with your baby wont seem so stressful.

I try to make light of every situation in my life. Don't take everything so seriously. You know, when my 2 oldest were very young, I didnt have much in the way of anything. My ex-husband was a drug addict and spent his entire pay on his habit which left me and my children with unpaid bills and empty cabinets. We ate a lot of odd meals but I always made it seem to my kids that it was normal. Needless to say, it wasnt easy but I'm here and my children are grown. I made it through and you will too. Dont sweaty the small things in life and always take time for yourself. Good luck and give your baby a hug!!!

Answer 9

Laugh when you get frusterated. Sounds easy, but if you simply tell yourself, "this is the only thing I can do" then you'll find it's so much easier to lighten up in those moments of overwhelmed frusteration...

We have a 4 year old, 2 1/2 year old and a 13 month old. Plus, we're in a TINY house so we're very close quarters all day... lots of fighting between the toddlers, and yeah, I am more loud naturally, so I've been known to yell or raise my voice, but I've found that I also will just start laughing, and it's at the worst times when it seems like they are completely going to drive me nuts. :) I don't know, maybe it is the onset of toddler induced psychosis, but whatever it is, it works to relieve my stress big time.

I will also put our 13 month old in her play pen and put up a baby gate across the toddlers' bedroom and just let them occupy themselves for a while while I mellow out for a while-read a book, catch up on the news, watch I Love Lucy.... just anything that is NOT housework, that is NOT childcare related that I can do for myself. OR, I will pack them up and drive for a few minutes (which is more rare nowadays, but when I feel like I'm at my wits end, sometimes it's worth wasting a tiny bit of gas to maintain my sanity)...

It's about finding things for YOU and you alone to enjoy by yourself. You definately need "you time" when you are with a little one all day... it's worth it, but it's still a tremendously stressful life being a stay at home mom. Also, when your husband is home, ask if he won't stay with your little one for an hour so you can just go out. I've found just looking around at Borders or getting an inexpensive CD at like, Best Buy can be great therapy. It's all about having alone time!

Also, see if you can't get your hair and nails done each month. That will give you a few hours of pampering time just for you, plus, getting your hair/nails done will help with how you view yourself-you'll feel better and more confident and that will help your mindset as well...

And ultimately, remember, it's about perspective. DO NOT focus on the stress of right now, focus on the joy your child brings you, WHY you're staying at home and taking care of her, and ALWAYS remember, everything your child goes through is a very very short lived, temporary phase. By all means, it does NOT feel like it in the moment, but when I look back, the months of every night our son having night terrors actually went by quickly, but it did NOT feel like it at the time...

Good luck, and don't neglect you! :)

Answer 10

Pray and you shall be heard and He will send you Angels to help you along, and you have to have faith so your prayer will be answered.

one and a half year olds are very active and loud and that is normal, imagine if your child was motionless and quiet.  Thank God your child is normal, I mean if that is your problem.

and I will say a little prayer for you to hold on and this too shall pass.

Answer 11

That is a tough age and sometimes it can be frustrated.  Especially if you have other stresses going on in your life.  Just take a step back, maybe ask someone to watch your child for an afternoon so you can go get some "me" time in.  If you are stressed out over other things in your life as well, children can definately sense that and sometimes they feed off the frustration.  Like the old saying goes "If Momma isn't happy, nobody's happy" ....

It's going to get better.  But just try to take a step back and get some alone time to gain some perspective.  I hope things start to get better for you.

Answer 12

Take a deep breath.  Let him/her get involved in something for awhile, like a cookie (or even a show) and step back.  It's a crazy age and they can get very frustrating.  If possible see if you can take a day or evening to yourself, like go shopping or get a pedicure.  It will get better.  Focus on all the amazing things your baby is doing everyday.

Answer 13

I hope it will get better.  I love being a mom but my daughter is so demanding it does get hard sometimes.  Just think in a few years you guys will probably be really close and hopefully he/she will be a better listener for ya.

Answer 14

I can sympathize with you.  I can remember having this sweet angelic baby and now I have this stubborn and independent toddler.  What I can tell you is that this too shall pass.  This is the age that they are testing out everything from the limits they can take from you to how the sound of the plate makes when they drop it on the floor, (Yep it breaks every time I do that wow.)  They are learning about themselves and absorbing everything.  You just have to setup routines and limits and stick to them.  Eventually it will all fall into place.  Try setting up an area where he can do anything that he wants, like a fence off area in the yard or a empty room that is kid friendly ie the walls can get wipe down.  Then allow him to play BY HIMSELF.  Let them learn how to entertain himself without your constance input.  You can also try to setup some play dates with other kids in your neighborhood and each mother takes turns having 2-3 kids over.  Last but not least, push bedtime,  I know that is one of my favorite times of day.  Second of course to nap time.  Don't worry my son test my nerves everyday.