[billy s]

I have two small children aged 3yr old and 1yr old and i'm finding the stress of raising small children and running the house is really starting to get to me. I used to be quite patent with the kids and now i find everything is just two much. Can walking every day or yoga or something help.

[bbaddestbrittanei]

Yes. Also reading, babysitter, movies, dinner will help!

[proud mommy :)]

Try getting a babysitter and going out a couple nights a week. Mommy's need time for themselves too.

[onecharliecat]

My plan when I had my son, was that I would be a stay at home mom for 2 years, but after 6 months, I was going bonkers. I needed to be away from him and be around some adult company more than I realized, so I sent him to a group home daycare part time and got a part time job. This allowed him to be introduced to other people and me to keep some of the hair on my head. It was positive and we all turned out fine. Even when I had a day off, to do house work or something, I would have him go to the sitter so I could have"my"time.Walking with the kids in the stroller alot helped me-get fresh air and have time to think, and if the weather is good, I'll bet your kids will enjoy the time, fresh air, scenery, and togetherness together. It would be a chance for them to broaden their knowledge about the outdoors. They are at an age where their minds will absorb so much info like a sponge, so give them the knowledge they need, and hang in there!!You'll thank yourself later and being a mom is hard, but it is so rewarding in the long run. Good luck.

[schneeballe]

I know what you mean. I have a 5,3,2 and 10 month old and it can definitely seem overwhelming at times. I think the most important thing is to try to get as much rest as possible. I think it is infinitely easier to have patience and cope with everyday stresses when you are well-rested. Definitely do the yoga, workouts, walks, sip a coffee at Starbucks (on your own!) or whatever relaxes you as much as you can. If you can carve out a little time out for yourself each day...even if it's 15 minutes in the bath without interruption while you sip tea and flip through a magazine...it will do wonders. Enlist the help of family and friends too if you can. Maybe they can come and watch the kids for an hour or two while your do some errands or take them to the park while you do some spring cleaning.Being as organzied as possible helps too (I am still working on this one!) such as meal planning and having a schedule. Having a schedule is calming to a child because it gives them a sense of security in that they know what to expect. Meal planning not only saves money but it takes the stress off of dinnertime because you are not wondering what to make and then realizing you don't have what you need. If you can afford someone to come in and help with your housework even once a month, can help take the pressure off too. It is money well-spent if it helps you not to feel overwhelmed and gives you more time to spend with your kids. Good luck!

[monicanena]

Try relaxing with a good book. It'll help your spelling too.

[Mum to SuperToddlers!]

Organisation is everything. Time for yourself is important, and I can understand if you don't want to use babysitters while they're so young, but having your children in a routine, with regular bedtimes and nap times makes a big difference to getting some time to yourself, to get your head straight and catch up on things that keep getting away from you.Obviously don't stress about the housework too much, but if you can do a little bit each day to keep the house basically clean and tidy, I find it actually makes you feel better because you don't feel like you're living in chaos, lol.Exercise definitely helps you, and it's good for the kids too. Just a walk around the streets or to a park is good, some fresh air will clear your head and is great fun for the kids.Basically just working out your priorities and getting things into a workable routine makes life so much easier. Try to run your days with a good balance of the children's needs and the things you need to get done, and try to allow at least a couple of hours each day for'downtime'for you and the kids, where you can just play together and relax.I get where you're coming from, my children are 13 months and 2 years old, and it gets full on at times. But try to have as much fun as you can, and keep a good sense of humour, it won't last forever and then we'll want it back!Good luck :-)

[Constance C]

I have a 1 of my own and 1 niece that currently lives with me since i stay at home im expected to care for her. now to your question i have learned to pick my battles. and take a few minutes to play with my children. this computer is the only adult interaction that i get since my fiance works nights. but please do not forget to thank god for what you have, my son was born with a cleft lip and palate, and has required extra attention. and if you get a minute just breath.. i cant do this myself because i feel if i dont have my son by my side every second something will happen .but i hear a sitter a couple hours a week is good lol.

Yes all of those can help. do you have a mothers day out program at a church near you?? realitive or a mothers helper you can have help once a week??I esp when mine was that little felt the same way. You need a break from the kids and routine. It does get to be too much and will wear you down. I started giving myself permission to get a break here and there and it really can make all the difference from exploding.what i have found helpful is:nap or read (yes i know there is cleaning and laundry to do but..that has to wait sometimes hehe) when they are nappingput them both in a stroller and talk a walkjoin a mothers day out or bible study where you can get a few hour break from motheringWhen my hubby gets home, i go into my bedroom shut the door and take 20 mins to myself (laying, bath etc).Do something for yourself though, I found the more impatient I was with my kiddo the more he acted up...so we were both on a very neg. note day in and out

[Truth]

My 2 children are that age apart. I remember what you are going through well. Honestly this may sound horrible but I am going to be honest with you. Sometimes I just took them outside, sometimes put them both in the stroller and just walked or I went to the mall or super walmart just to walk and look. they liked it and I knew that I wouldn't lose it in public. I knew if I was in public I would try and pull myself together, and I did. My husband was wonderful even though he was a restaurant manager and worked long days, when he did come home he would hug the kids and tell me, go, go outside, or take a bath, whatever you want to do, I have a little money in my pocket if you want just don't worry I got it. i cannot count how many times I drove around the neighborhood smelling like spit up and sweat and crying, maybe run through a drive through and get a coke, I didn't dare get out of the car looking like that, come home, the kids would be playing with daddy and I'd finally get that bath. Then I wanted to join the family again. I just needed a little break. You have to have a relief person. Even 30 min or an hour will help. If money is tight trade with another mom., I had a friend that had 2 college classes, I'd watch hers during that and she would watch mine 2 hours on Monday. A mothers day out program at a church is good, 1 or 2 days a week for mom and the price is usually real reasonable. And a lot of prayer, that calmed me. And cut yourself some slack, your house will not look like a page from Southern Living, sorry, most moms put so much pressure on themselves because of what other people would think, Don't! I can remember driving my kids around in a cart in a store to just get out and stay sane and I saw a sign that said"PLEASE CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN'I remember thinking to myself, If I could control my children I would be sitting at home on my butt watching soap operas! lol It gets easier. Remember when your youngest wanted to see peek a boo 167 times and your oldest wanted to do peek a boo 167 times! YES! There will be those moments when it will be to your advantage. Hang in there! Enjoy your kids.