Does anyone want to talk

That's true about interacting online with people when you are in a bad mood. It doesn't go right sometimes. One thing that always cheers me up is seeing the kids. Can you say the same? Surely your baby can't answer back - yet. Or do you feel you need a break from them too?

I was talking to my sister and BIL tonight and I said this about the three kids:

- first one was sensible, quiet, mature but clumsy.

- second kid was a whinger, whiner and crier but organised and thorough

- third kid? well... she's a different story altogether. She's a screamer, nagger, yeller, fighter...and VERY VERY loud. I'm upstairs next door at the moment and I can hear the youngest yelling and screaming.

@ArraDreaming

We need to help you find something that helps you de-escalate from 1000 back down to 10 or so. @ArraDreaming @Zoe7

@Zoe7 , if you have heightened kids, what works for you?

Running away @tyme LOL

the first thing I do is get down to their level (which isn't that hard because I am quite short). Then letting them know it is okay to feel what they are feeling but we need them to be safe so moving them to a quiet area where they can calm themselves. Sometime that means using the punching back or jumping on the trampoline. One boy used to love throwing balls at a target or just to each other - the physical things are usually the best to get their energy out and also think of something else other than what is making them feel so angry. The once they have been able to regulate, we sit down and talk.

Hey, @ArraDreaming , do you have a trampoline you can jump on outside? @Zoe7 got some good ideas.

I know @ArraDreaming likes his garage as a retreat... maybe we need to pretty up your garage and put some plants in there, a skylight, a lounge... make it a real retreat without having to renovate?

But seriously @ArraDreaming , I'm hearing you. After those weeks on holidays with those 5 kids, I just wanted an out. I just retreated to my space before I lost it.

You are human @ArraDreaming . I get angry with my niece for not sleeping because she just talks and talks! Then I get upset with the little one, because she just yaps yaps yaps and then cries and yells at her father (mind you, she's three years old).

The feeling of being 'peopled' out I can totally relate to, esp because I've been living on my own for AGES now. I think this feeling helped me make the decision that having a family of my own was really not for me. I'd be too stressed out all the time.

I felt 'peopled out' after a few weeks with the kids.. I can only imagine how hard it is to have a kid with you 24/7 + an overstimulated brain...

Let's just say, you are doing extremely well and I'm sure @Zoe7 and others would agree too.