what to do with kids :/

[Martha27]

I'm worried about my kids (almost 3yo son and 4 yo daughter). My husband left about 1.5 weeks ago and it has seemed like their behavior is completly off the wall! I feel like I can barely control them! A lot of the problem is we are in NH in winter and are stuck inside A LOT!!! I have very little money right now so i cant afford to bring them anywhere fun except the library but they get so wild anyway and the youngest one will start hitting and yelling at me or his siter to "SHUT UP" so i really dont want to bring them out much anyway!

I am thinking about asking for some counseling type help but dont know where to go? is there some free kind of help you can get from a goverment agency like CAP or something? we have an appointment to get signed up for WIC today (probably wont get there though b/c of the storm:/) im wondering if they might have some suggestions?

I have been trying to keep up with time outs and regular routines and what not but they are in timeout almost all day and even that is starting to loose effect, they just laugh at me!! help

[doubledutch]

that is hard!  i don't think there's any way around it, but you can make it better, like you said, by sticking to routines and being consistent with discipline.  what about the more proactive side of discipline, in terms of setting expectations and giving them things to do so that they have less opportunity to get into it with each other?  i know that's hard when they're climbing the walls and you're also going through a tough time yourself, but it helps my boys a lot (they are just a bit older than your little ones).

for free/cheap places to go in the winter, what about the mall before it opens?  ours is open for walkers before the stores open.  it might be a nice way to get in some exercise and help them burn up some energy.  a lot of museums have a free or discounted day and can be kid-friendly.  there are probably play groups that meet on a weekly or monthly basis in your area, and if not, start one!  a school or college may have open gym, or free/cheap swimming.  and . . . sometimes i take my kids to mcdonald's to play.   of course, if it's not terribly cold, wet and windy, you can go outside.  even a short walk eats up a good chunk of time with all the bundling and unbundling.

the wic office may be able to put you in touch with a social worker and will probably have lots of other ideas for you.  you could also get free counseling through a church or through your stbx's employee assistance program, if his employer offers that.