My kids are driving me INSANE!!!

Gayle - posted on 09/05/2009

Be greatful for your children. In addition to the 2 children in college now, I lost my oldest son almost 10 years ago (he would be 31 now). He was killed in a car acident by a drunk driver. I wish to God I still had those days where he drove me crazy with not wanting to do his homework, getting his license, girls and challenging me at every turn. You never know what you have until you don't have it anymore.

Denene - posted on 09/05/2009

Hey kids are at the age were they are finding out what is Right * Wrong. So don't get upset that they are challenging you. That's there job. Anit that how we learn the differents is we tried our parent to see what we could get away with...

Denene - posted on 09/05/2009

If you feel that way right now, beleive me it don't get any better... So If i was you I wouldn't have any more kids. Plus you have a child that has been adopted so you got off free with that one. Even thought your can say your her mom cause you birth her...Ur not intitled to do anything for her but visit when u can . So just enjoy the one kid you do have and make the best out of it...

Gayle - posted on 09/05/2009

It's an odd, but pleasurable feeling of how we look back. I have 2 children in college now. I look back and say ... "Where did the time go?"

We have to let go at some point, (we think we do, but we never really do). My daughter took a road trip for the weekend to see her significant other. I wasn't too crazy about it, but what was I to do? She is a young woman now. I look at her at see me at 19. Strong, independent and very mature. I told myself ... "This is what they do. Grow up and have lives of their own. You did it. You left home and started a family." I smiled, remembering the words from my Mother, "You will grow up one day and leave me. That is what you are supposed to do. I raised you the best way I knew how, the rest will be up to you."

Funny, how much like our Mothers we become. I sometimes look in the mirror and say ... "Mirror, Mirror on the wall, I have become my Mother after all."

Trish - posted on 09/02/2009

Sometimes I feel sad about my girls growing up so fast, but each stage has been a fun journey. They're teenagers now. The oldest is a senior in high school, and we're trying to figure out where she wants to go to college next year. Make no mistake, at times they'll drive you crazy from here on out. The shape and size of the crazy times just changes a bit. I try to stay in the moment and enjoy the ride as much as possible. I have to admit, though, when I see mommies rolling a small child in a stroller, I get flashbacks of my own children as little ones and feel wistful. :-)

Crystal - posted on 08/30/2009

I have an almost 5 year old and a 1 year old. The baby stage is over way too quick and I wish I could keep them that way a little longer. I love to see them grow and learn new things but I miss the baby times. I'll definetly have another if I can. And my almost 5 year old ALWAYS talks back and is too rough with his little brother, I find myself yelling a lot! Sometimes I say I'd go crazy if I had another one but I know I love it even when they drive me nuts.

Sandra - posted on 08/30/2009

I am a Mother of four girls; sixteen (going on 30), 12, 5 (on the spectrum for Autism), and eleven months (going on 10)!! My lovely tubes have also been tied but I'm not sad because I can't have anymore, I'm sad because yes, they do grow up so quickly. When I am in that moment of insanity I try to remind myself to be in the moment and not think about the future or the past and have gratitude for every experience weather it be "positive" or "negative". They are our teachers too!! ; )

Eileen - posted on 08/28/2009

Yes that was me 32 years ago. My last one was a blue baby, they couldn't find her heart beat and anything else that went along with the blue baby. So we decided that because the more children we had it was worse for me and harder. All my babies were early. So here I am sitting on our couch trying to nurse her and she wasn't cooperating very well. I am sitting there with tears in my eyes, for I knew she was my last one. Yes it is hard and there are so many others that feel like you do. You have a great time now. Love & Prayers, Eileen

Elaine - posted on 08/27/2009

that is awesome! there are so many parents who think about spending time with their little ones like this and always ends up a grownup party with kids shoved to the background, the kids grow up without this one on one i love you experience!

Ann-Marie - posted on 08/27/2009

Thanks Miriam xoxo & I do understand how difficult these days are - raising children in these times is very hard - I always try to go back to my own upbringing - I take the parts of it that I agree with & thought were good & moral & I have also added a few of my own beliefs taking into consideration my experiences past & present. I also very much believe in looking for a higher guidance & strength - I call him "God" - thanks again & God bless you - take care xoxo

Midge - posted on 08/27/2009

I'm so sorry for what you're going through, really. These are not the days of our parents. Our parents were strict and we were disciplined, but today's kids are out of control. Take good care of your granddaughter, do the best you can for her, when she goes up you're going to hear "my grandmother raised me, my grandmother did this and that for me, my grandmother, my grandmother, if it weren't for my grandmother.....those words will bring tears to your eyes. As for your daughter, leave her in God's hands. We can only do so much. God bless you

Melissa - posted on 08/27/2009

I have a son at 6 and a son at 4 and I love them to death but i look forward to bed time and when i leave for the day cause they drive me crazy and the 4 yr old loves to smart mouth me and often tells us things like you have feet you do it when we tell him to do something. I too closed my baby factory down 5 years ago november 5th

Lisa - posted on 08/27/2009

My youngest is only 2 mos. and I feel that way!!!!! I have always said I wanted 4 kids, we are only at 3 and my husband is DONE...so I am already sad that this one is the last....at least I know now and I can really cherish my moments. My other 2 are 10 and 4 and the bonds with them are totally different. ENJOY them now!!!

Ann-Marie - posted on 08/27/2009

Miriam... I totally understand where you are coming from - these days there are so many young ones having babies while still babies themselves & whilst raising my own grand daughter have come to realise there are a lot of grand mothers/parents out there doing the same. Unfortunately in my case, I do not blame my daughter - I blame the doctor who could not be bothered doing a 5 min blood test when she was 10 which lead to a mis diagnoisis & brain damage of the frontal lobe. I blame the silly laws that are in place that give her parents & family no rights & I blame the disabilities services for not doing more. My daughter is 23 - she has type one diabetes & acquired brain injury because a doctor was too stubborn & stupid to do a 5 min blood test. He did not want to listen to me - her mother - because I was apparently beein paranoid. 3 days later she is in a coma not expected to live & if survived brain damage was a certainty. Because of the nature of her injury she can appear as if appropriate age but she has behavioural problems which lead to very aggressive & violent outbursts. She has hygiene issues, has lost the ability to reason, planning & organisational skills are non-existent - have problems with right & wrong etc - all the things frontal lobe controls. But in the eyes of the law she is over 18 & can make her own decisions - even though these decisions are very poorly judged decisions. Our family knew one day she would get pregnant - it was never a case of if - it was a case of when. And before you all say what about birth control - we tried & tried - but the law states she can refuse - we CAN NOT force her to take birth control. We looked at the needle one & also the more longer term ones as well as the pill all of which my daughter refused. Because of the nature of her disability she has massive social skill problems - as a child she was quiet & reserved & after the injury she was an extravert - we tried having her live with us but she does not cope in a family enviroment & if there was only one violent outburst a day that was a good day. She would invite anyone & everyone into her home & people have stolen from her, damaged her property & have physically attacked her but still she invites strangers into her home. So as you see - she was bound to get pregnant - she craved love & attention so much - that she viewed sex as a way for the guy to love her - not knowing that or being able to determine whether or not the guy was just using her. I love my daughter so much & my heart aches for what has happen to her - it was not fair or just & really should never have happened had the doctor done a 5 min blood test - but it has happened & we have to live with it as hard as that is. I ask God for strength everyday. The biggest decision of my life was deciding whether I would raise my grand daughter knowing full well child safety would never let my daughter raise her. I know in my heart that raising my grand daughter the best I can - loving her & protecting her is the best possible thing I will ever be able to do for my daughter - I am being the mother "my daughter would have been had a doctor not stuffed up when she was 10 yrs old".

Midge - posted on 08/27/2009

I feel sorry for us grandmothers who don't want to be grandmothers at an early stage, like 30's & 40's, but why are these young children having children so early in life? Why can't they wait? Yes, granted the hormones are flying like popcorn, but they should think not only of themselves, but their parents who will have to sacrifice a lot for these kids, food, clothing, shelter, some of these things they probably didn't do for their own kids. I'm 57 raising my 4 year old, I'm disabled, many operations and along comes my daughter and says "I'm having another one" well, what am I suppose to do? Raise another one? Where's the father of this one? Oh, well, he's living with his mama, having restful sleep while my daughter is up all night, not to mention me, trying to put this child to sleep. She's got her own clock. Now she curses the day this baby was born, I ask God to forgive her, she knew what she was doing when she got pregnant, now deal with it. I raised my kids to be good respectful kids, not to be running around after no man. I did my time, it's their now.

Ann-Marie - posted on 08/27/2009

Erinn.... I think at some stage we all feel this way - let's face it, raising children is unbelieveably difficult at times & also the most rewarding, funny, loving, exciting, exhausting, crazy, joyous, feel good, proud, tingles, heartfelt, wonderful, tiring, beautiful experience of our lives. The time we have with our children goes by in the blink of an eye. My mother-in-law once told me that our children, especially our sons are on loan to us - we love them, comfort them, teach them, guide them, feed them, scare away the monsters while checking under the bed just to make sure - lol, we are dish washers, taxi drivers, counsellors, dressmakers, artists, cooks, cleaners - you name it we are it for our children & no matter how crazy our day gets & how tired we feel - we would do it all over again because they are our children - they are our life & for most mothers we love them more than life itself. My biological children are 25, 23 & 21. The time I had with them feels like it went by so fast - I blinked & they were grown - they are adults. Where did that time go I ask myself. I am 44 yrs old this year & some times I still feel 20 - so I think - how can this be. I am still raising children - I have a step-son who is 13 & I have been raising him since age 6 & I have a grand daughter who is almost 2 & I have been raising her since birth & one thing I have learned is that time does go by too too fast. When raising my 3 older children, I tried to be that perfect wife & mother - making sure all the housework was done, washing, cooking etc was perfect but knowing now what I did not know then is - my children will not remember the perfectly clean house - they will remember that mummy spent lots of time with me. What they will remember is that mummy was stressed over my behaviours because I made a mess etc... do you understand? I am not by any means saying do not clean, cook or wash - they are basic things that must be done - but don't stress yourself about it - we are not perfect - we are mothers who love our children & do the best that we can - if that means a dirty dish on the sink - so be it... play with them - if you do not want mess inside - find a spot outside & let them run riot - it is just mess - put yours & their oldest clothes on & if the mess is too much to clean - throw it away - no harm - but think of the fun your kids will have & think of the joy & tears of laughter you will have watching & playing with them. Erinn sounds to me like you need just a lil time for yourself - speaking from experience as alot of people told me this exact same thing & while I know alot more & am way more patient this time round - energy is lacking for me - so my suggestion is if it can not be everyday - try to find just 1 hour a week where that is completely your time - soak in the bubble bath - put on relaxing music - light some fragranced candles & totally forget the world - it does help - good luck sweetheart - just as our children go through phases, so do we mothers - I think alot of people forget that - you are only human & it is ok to have bad & sad days! xoxo

Sandra - posted on 08/26/2009

Hi Erin
I have two children and 29 month old and a 8 year old boy. I also had my tubes tied. I too get sad thinking one more child.
But due to health reason I can't have more children.
Time moves way to fast for me. Before I had children never really paid attention to time just wanted to have fun with friends and family. Now it goes way to fast. I enjoy every moment and I never take life for granted. Thanks for sharing. Sandra

Cheryl - posted on 08/26/2009

I have one child, a girl who is graduating from college next month. I got a late start in life and had her in my 30's. I wanted more children but could not have anymore because of fibroid tumors plus my financial situation was always rocky. The point is, I knew early on this was IT! I would not have any more chances at a 'do over". I made a conscious effort to enjoy every stage of her life. Now that she is grown and out of the teens,(which was the hardest stage to cope with) I now know everything happens for a reason. I am now handicapped with crippling arthritis and COPD. I am glad I did all the things with her that I could. She is educated in medicine and that is a gift from her to me which is why God gave her to me when he did! All things happen for a reason. Not ours, but his.

Nicole - posted on 08/26/2009

Document, record, save the memories... you get a new set of memories with every stage and you can find the good in all of them! Scrapbooking helps to not dwell on how fast they are growing - you can always go back and revisit... I used to wish my little one wasn't growing so fast - but then I thought about all the new things I get to look forward to! And with technology being the way it is - I heard you can still have babies even after your tubes are tied. There's hope all the way around ;)

Nakeisha - posted on 08/26/2009

Yes i thought i was the only one,my daughter is 14 and its depressing ,they grow up so fast

Shannon - posted on 08/26/2009

That's what grandchildren are for! ;D

Fatsyclien - posted on 08/26/2009

U WILL ALWAYS BE THUR MUM NO MATTER WAT THUR AGE

Jerilyn - posted on 08/26/2009

I have 4 kids. All girls!!! Ages 9, 10 17, 18! The oldest has a 7 month old daughter & my 17 yr. old is due anytime now(the first boy in the family!) My 18 yr. old & I clash everytime we turn around! Of course we have our own ways of parenting (I say my way is the RIGHT WAY!! LOL!!) Seriously though I have finally learned that each situation isn't a crisis & parents need to pick their battles carefully!! Respect is a learned process. And I for one am still learning!!

Cristina - posted on 08/26/2009

I have 5 kids my baby is 3 so this is the last one I have to enjoy till I lose him to school! I am just learning how to develop a personality that doesn't en vole kids. How to communicate with adults again after being a stay at home mom for the past 10 yrs. I love having been blessed with the opportunity to develop a relationship with each of them but to be honest I don't long for the past I am enjoying the present to much! I am in awe of their growth and how they are maturing .

Julie - posted on 08/26/2009

Noah is showing his independance... that's all - when they start learning that they can do things without you (like get dressed, etc.,) they get independant in other areas too. They are not being rebellious - just being their 'self'.



Don't allow him to tell you "no" or talk back. Watch who his role models are as he is learning to be rude from someone; just make sure it is not mom or dad. Kids are mirrors and mimics, so screen who his peers are -



Spend time with your kids and let the dusting and cleaning go. Kids need their love cup filled daily. Start out your day iwth a good breakfast (not sugared cereals) and then read to them while sitting close on the couch - go for a walk with them - play something on the floor with them and you will be amazed at how different they are the rest of the day.



Afternoon naps are important for you and for them.



Yes, they do grow up fast - and yes, we do mourn the fact we're not having any more...we were made to have babies.

Vickie - posted on 08/26/2009

Kids do grow up too fast. My son is now 12 & I can't believe that he turns 13 this year! But I'm lucky, as we're very close.



Once a little one turns 2, they begin to say No to what seems like everything & sometimes this lasts for a couple of years. And 3 year olds are very active. As kids get older, it does get better in many ways.



As far as no more babies, if you've suddenly changed your mind, think long & hard. As your little ones get older, things do get easier & more challenging but more fun too. If you still think you'd like another baby after both are out of diapers & potty trained, why not consider adoption?

Stacey - posted on 08/25/2009

I dont no what to do anymore with any of my kids. I hope I dont sound mean but I cant wait till we move my oldest back to college. When I try to talk to her about her attitude it turns into a fight. When Im talking to either her sister or brother about whatever it is they did wrong, my oldest has to jump in and put her 2 cents in. I have explained to her over and over to stay out of it and that im the mother and let me take care of it. But if the other 2 r giving me problems at that time she tells me that I need to do a better job then. I cant stand her smart a__ remarks to me. Last month it was so bad that i said to her maybe it was a good idea that she went to a friends for a few days, just to get away (when i said this it was 6pm in the evening om a monday) she said well im 18 and she could do what she wanted and she was going to leave. The next day i told her she wasnt able to come home till thursday morning. So she told her friends that i kicked her out. Also my husband and i are not able to help her with college but we help her other ways like when she comes home (even during the summer) we dont ask her to pay money for rent or food or for her cell phone. The thing is she says thank u but then throws it in our face that we dont help her. I dont understand. I no she has friends that there parents arent helping them for college either and they have to pay rent and give money towards food and there cell phones. Please if anyone has any advise please help me. She isnt a bad kid.

Sharon - posted on 08/25/2009

The thing that makes me crazy is the squabbling between my kids. Just little nit-picky things and not being tolerant of each other. They're pretty close in age (6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 18) and we live in a small space so we always seem to be on top of each other. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. SOON we'll be moving into a bigger home... with more than ONE bathroom!! :) Anyhow, it breaks my heart sometimes to see how fast they're growing up. I no longer have babies or toddlers... I miss those sweet baby days (although they were exhausting!) Enjoy every moment and every stage. They won't live with you forever.

Denise - posted on 08/25/2009

I think it is normal to have moments of distress as a mom of little ones. I still have those moments and my two are now 11 and 13. It is important to make some time for you. It helps to bring you back to sanity. This is not only good for you, but great for the kids. As far as having your tubes tied, and having regrets or not.. Can't help you. I can tell you that I never thought I would get married or have kids. I did both. I also had bangs of regret when my husband was "snipped". I just could not see me going through another pregnancy where I was working. The owner did not like the fact I would take 6 weeks off for each birth, and made my life hell. I am thankful everyday for the two that I have. As your children get older things do get easier, but the problems change.

Kelly - posted on 08/24/2009

It is so hard to see them grow up, but rest assured that every age can be wonderful. There are so many fun things ahead of you, try thinking about how much fun you will have when your daughter is old enough to really play with you. My daughters and I play "spa", where we have a little table set up with flowers and dishes and plastic food, and we put on all the play jewelry, and lip gloss, and fix each others hair and do massages and paint each others nails, and you get the picture. My boys are teenagers, and we have had so much fun with them over the years, camping and riding bikes, and ballgames, and now we see them doing things in high school that make us so proud, and we know we raised them right. It is so hard every year when school starts, and you see them head out into the world a little bigger, and wiser, than this time last year. But it is all part of the wonderful life of a parent, and I am so thankful that I get to experience it all! I hope this helps you feel better. Just think, someday you will hopefully have grandbabies to snuggle, when yours are all grown up. Its all good.

Samantha - posted on 08/24/2009

I have 2 boys, ages 4 and 22 months. I have to say that I love, I mean I absolutely love babies, but I can never see myself doing the newborn thing again! I have found that taking lots and Lots and Lots of pictures of them has helped me so much in preserving them as babies in my heart and mind. I love that my 4 year old is learning independance and that my 22 month old is exploring and begining his terrible 2 stages and I also love how they are growing up and making my life easier. I want independant children, not kids I have to constantly cater to, and Im so happy that they are growing healthy and happy. Like I said, take lots of pics (i take pictures atleast every 2-3 days, of them just doing random things) and enjoy them, I like to play with other peoples infants when I get the baby urge, and trust me, its much more fun to hand them back to their parents once your done.

Candice - posted on 08/24/2009

my daughter is 16 months...you know..the cute stage..learning to talk but not talking too much, learning to help and so eager to please, happy and independent but loves to cuddle and laugh...



i got my tubes tied too because she had reflux, rarely slept, and screamed alot...and i can't do the newborn phase again...but yes, i sometimes wish she would stay just as she is forever. i will miss this stage.

Michelle - posted on 08/24/2009

I actually have yet to feel this way! My daughter is only 8 months old though and she's been an excellent baby so far!! She's very busy and I love every minute of it:0) The time is going by way to fast though!

Stevie - posted on 08/24/2009

my son is 9 months also and he drives me nuts and i have a daughter who will be 2 next month and i cant believe it my son is pretty much my beginning since my daughter doesn live with me she got adopted due to untimely situations and some other reasons but i still see her and have contact with her and im still her mom (just not by law) well anyways i can still have more kids but im not sure i want anymore right now and it breaks my heart to think that all cuz my son is so crazy and is getting into everything and not listening he was doing great for awhile with listening to me when i say no and to come here but not anymore he just wont listen and i cant seem to break him of it again im not a picky mom i dont mind him doing alot of things most moms might not let their kids do and i know he doesnt know that but man he drives me crazy he is my pride and joy and the love of my life just like his sister is and his daddy but somedays i just wish i could leave for a day and work my husbands job or something and have him understand what i go threw cuz i know he doesn get it i feel like some days i just loose my mind.... i would love more kids but at this point im afraid to have to go threw this again but maybe worse cuz it will be two kids

Naomia - posted on 08/24/2009

there are still ways to get pregnant and yes i wish my baby was still 9 mo. she is now 5 . i have 7children total, i cant believe how fast it all happened

Nancy - posted on 08/24/2009

I have 4 kids. 27,26,20,and 18. The years go by extremely quick. You blink and they're gone. It's very depressing but thats becuase as they get older, yes you have less to do and they're more independent so you feel useless, but you also get alot closer as they become adults and you see them doing things you've raised to to do. Enjoy as much as you can always wether they're young babies or older. One day you'll be wishing Noah was still all over the place.LOL