They're Out to Get Me

No, I'm not talking about CSIS, the FBI, the boogeymen or other sinister characters... I'm talking about my kids.

Slowly, through a campaign of annoyance, not listening, fighting with each other, breaking things, interrupting, and all-talking-at-the-same-time, they are going to drive me insane. I think... I know ... my husband shares my thoughts. If you may recall, THE top item on by 2011 list of resolutions was to have more patience as a parent. Hardly two weeks into the new year and I'm feeling less patient than ever.

It's a familiar pattern of behaviour that I can well-document:
1. I'm doing something with Child A
2. Child B interrupts
3. I remind Child B to wait until I have finished talking with Child A
4. Child B keeps on talking, despite the reminder
5. Child C comes into the situation and talks over Child B
6. Child A loses interest in what I was doing with them
7. I try to refocus Child A
8. Children B & C start fighting with each other because I am not paying attention to them.
... and finally, like a well-scripted play, I lose my patience and yell at the whole lot of them.

If someone can help me break the cycle, I welcome all advice. Maybe I should start watching SuperNanny to get some tips? Or self-medicating? A friend of mine, who is also a mother of three, thinks we should tell our family we are going out for groceries and never come back. Hmm... tempting.

All I know is that parenting is the hardest job out there. It's something I have to work at everyday, and I don't know if I'm getting any better at it. But still, I will try to make 2011 the year I take a deep breath and remember that I love my children.