Ok I know that I am a good mom and that I can do this but I feel like I am in a sticky toffee river.

Problem 1) Endless questions, now this may sound like a good thing but it is leaving me very frustrated. Sinead will ask me a question, like Mommy where did you buy that ham from. I will give her the answer to this question and she will say Why did you get it from there, usually followed by Where did they get it from and why.

She is like this from morning till night and I am getting quite angry in my reponses due to being utterly frustrated. I have no idea how to respond or how to deal with this situation.

Problem 2) Not listening to me and asking people behind my back. I so hate this one, it seems to be one that comes back a few times and I am out of idea's on how to tackle this one. She will not listen to me when I ask her to do something, or she will stand there and make me laugh. It is very hard not to laugh when she is being so goofy in front of me. I do not like being a angry mommy. Sometimes she will ask me a question and when I say no she will ask grandad and get her own way. I think though this one would be better dealt with, with better communication. The ignoring part I think is just a kid thing I hope.

Problem 3) I do not know how to keep her stimulated any more. When she was younger I could keep her engaged in a craft activity or play. Now I can not keep her happy for more than 5 minutes and I have no idea why. I have totally run out of ideas on treats and such things like that. I do not know where to take her when she is not at school cause there is not much to see where we live.

I need to build a stronger wall on top of the foundations that are in place so any ideas would be welcomed. Any ideas on how to motivate a lazy mom would be gratefully rcvd as well.

Ok I know that I am a good mom and that I can do this but I feel like I am in a sticky toffee river.

Problem 1) Endless questions, now this may sound like a good thing but it is leaving me very frustrated. Sinead will ask me a question, like Mommy where did you buy that ham from. I will give her the answer to this question and she will say Why did you get it from there, usually followed by Where did they get it from and why.

She is like this from morning till night and I am getting quite angry in my reponses due to being utterly frustrated. I have no idea how to respond or how to deal with this situation.

I have to tell you, I have 3 kids, 7,5, and 3 and this is VERY typical. They are really curious and the only way they learn is to ask questions. Yes, it can be annoying, but if you don't teach them someone else will. This way you get to look really smart! If mine ask questions I try to take to time to answer them and if I don't know I tell them and we try to find out. Follow up questions are always there and if it gets to the ridiculous point, I tell them, "Mommy, is all done aswering questions now!" and we're done. Anymore questions on the subject are ignored. Don't get frustrated by it, it shows that Sinead is smart and thinking about what goes on around her.

Problem 2) Not listening to me and asking people behind my back. I so hate this one, it seems to be one that comes back a few times and I am out of idea's on how to tackle this one. She will not listen to me when I ask her to do something, or she will stand there and make me laugh. It is very hard not to laugh when she is being so goofy in front of me. I do not like being a angry mommy. Sometimes she will ask me a question and when I say no she will ask grandad and get her own way. I think though this one would be better dealt with, with better communication. The ignoring part I think is just a kid thing I hope.

This one gets nipped in the bud around here. If they on't listen or ignore, they get in trouble, sent to their room, stand in the corner or spanking if I know they are being defiant. Make sure you have eye contact when you tell her to o something. That way you KNOW she heard you and is ignoring you. My dd who's 5 will sometimes be off in her own little world and truly not hear what I said to her. Eye contact and a repat back of what I told her to do helps a lot. Also, you have to decide not to laugh if she starts being goofy. I know that can be really tricky at times, but otherwise she won't respect you as her parent. As far as going behind our back, we don't do that. You may need to talk to your dad and make sure you both have the same rules for Sinead. Otherwise, if she asks for something and you say no, then she asks Grandpa and gets it, take it away from her and tell her that MOMMY said no and if MOMMY says no she may not go to someone else to get it. You are the authority to her.

Problem 3) I do not know how to keep her stimulated any more. When she was younger I could keep her engaged in a craft activity or play. Now I can not keep her happy for more than 5 minutes and I have no idea why. I have totally run out of ideas on treats and such things like that. I do not know where to take her when she is not at school cause there is not much to see where we live.

One thing I've found is the more I try to keep my kids busy the less satisfied they are. The more we go places the less content they are until they become ungrateful for anything. I am trying to teach them to entertain themselves with less things or use the same things for different purposes, use their imaginations. Every child is different as far as that goes, but the more independent she can become the better it will be for her. She'll learn that she doesn't need to be catered to all the time and that she can entertain herself. Things like Play-Doh, beads, crayons and coloring books are great and cheap ways for them to start. If she needs some ideas to get started then by all means help, but then excuse yourself to do your own work and you'll be amazed how creative she'll get when she realizes you really aren't going to come back and do it for her.

I need to build a stronger wall on top of the foundations that are in place so any ideas would be welcomed. Any ideas on how to motivate a lazy mom would be gratefully rcvd as well.

I don't think you are a lazy mom. We all get burnt out and need some fresh ideas and perspectives. The foundations are the most important things and once they are in place the building goes much easier.:mrgreen:

Thanks Jen,

I like the idea of letting her been more independant I think she does need to learn this a lot more. She does not seem to understand that some days that mommy has a lot to do in the house. It has been a little easier that she goes to full time school as I can get most things done while she is there.

She has said to me that I do not spend enough time with her. Maybe I can get her involved in something that means I can still get my jobs done.

I will tighten things up a little so to speak and report back here in a week to let you know how things are going.

Yeah, if she can actually help you with your jobs, she gets to be with you and you get more done.:-D My kids always like the idea of doing "grown-up" work too. Hope things go smoothly for you.:mrgreen:

Ok I know that I am a good mom and that I can do this but I feel like I am in a sticky toffee river.

Problem 1) Endless questions, now this may sound like a good thing but it is leaving me very frustrated. Sinead will ask me a question, like Mommy where did you buy that ham from. I will give her the answer to this question and she will say Why did you get it from there, usually followed by Where did they get it from and why.

She is like this from morning till night and I am getting quite angry in my reponses due to being utterly frustrated. I have no idea how to respond or how to deal with this situation.

I respond to my girls by asking a question right back. Why/where do you.....? I found with A that as soon as I asked she would happily answer the question and that would be the end of it. They are curious at this age and trying to reason and using logic so asking questions right back encourages them to use their own mind to figure it out.

Of course if it becomes a repetitious thing I then tell her that we are done playing the why game and it is time to go play something else.

Problem 2) Not listening to me and asking people behind my back. I so hate this one, it seems to be one that comes back a few times and I am out of idea's on how to tackle this one. She will not listen to me when I ask her to do something, or she will stand there and make me laugh. It is very hard not to laugh when she is being so goofy in front of me. I do not like being a angry mommy. Sometimes she will ask me a question and when I say no she will ask grandad and get her own way. I think though this one would be better dealt with, with better communication. The ignoring part I think is just a kid thing I hope.

This in our house would be dealt with with a time out or spanking. We don't tolerate behavior like this. One thing to take into consideration though is that some children may not be deliberately not listening but rather they never heard you. Ask simple requests such as go find your pajamas instead of go find your pajamas put them on and brush your teeth before bed. One at a time and when you ask make sure she is looking at you and then have her repeat it to be sure. As for when she deliberately doesn't do what you ask then I would have a set consequence and follow through. When you do discipline make sure and explain why she is being disciplined.

Problem 3) I do not know how to keep her stimulated any more. When she was younger I could keep her engaged in a craft activity or play. Now I can not keep her happy for more than 5 minutes and I have no idea why. I have totally run out of ideas on treats and such things like that. I do not know where to take her when she is not at school cause there is not much to see where we live.

Go to the internet and look for ideas. There are lots of ideas floating around there. Maybe engage her in a craft that she can use as a game later like making sock bean bags. Ask her what her interests are. She should be able to entertain herself by now.

I need to build a stronger wall on top of the foundations that are in place so any ideas would be welcomed. Any ideas on how to motivate a lazy mom would be gratefully rcvd as well.




Keep your head up and stay strong. Do the best that you can. Being consistent is the best thing that you can do. Come up with a list of disciplines that you use and determine which offenses deserve what consequence. Praying for you.

Thanks hunny,

I am looking at things that could be improved at the moment and I am slowly working on the things to do thing.

The first thing I am going to get her to is on a morning to make her bad and put her dirty night ware/under wear in the correct place.

Thanks for the prayers, things are still slow now but I am sure that they will get better with time.