I lost my patience this weekend

[Ava's Mama]

Hi there,

I have a 2 year old who was sick this weekend.  We had had plans to do a bunch of fun things, but I cancelled or postponed most of them so that she could have a nice laid back weekend.  The first two days were fine and then yesterday I just lost it.  The whining and tantrums were driving me bonkers!!  I finally just yelled at her and went into the garage and slammed the door.  Dramatic moment.  I went to try to get back inside and the door knob wouldn't turn!  Luckily I had a set of keys in my car so I was able to open the garage door and go unlock the front door of the house.  Anyways, I try to use gentle discipline and positive parenting styles but this weekend I failed.  It was the combination of her being sick, not doing much outside the house, it being cold out so we couldn't do much outside, and me taking care of a sick toddler byself for three days in a row.  After my dramatic garage exit, my impatience wasn't relieved.  It just seemed like every 15 minutes there was a tantrum or whining.  It is so hard to calm down sometimes even when I know that she feeds off my energy.  She slept like poop again last night and I am exhausted and was impatient again this morning and couldn't wait to get her to daycare.  But now I am feeling guilty and like I am a bad mom.  99% of the time I feel so proud of my abilities to stay calm and distract her or manage the tantrums gracefully.  But today I just feel like a failure and don't want to scar her for life.  I basically just need a hug!  The hubby is coming home tomorrow.  So at least I will have a little help and a chance for some me time.  Thanks for listening!

[pranava]

  Oh mama, I was in Exactly the same spot as you this weekend.  DP gone from Wed to Sun and toddler puking and whining and not sleeping since Friday night.  I did pretty well keeping it together until today.  I took it out on my animals.  Screamed, yelled, kicked them down the stairs, and slammed the door.  Sometimes it is just too much for one person to handle.  It will be OK though.  Everybody has emotions - toddlers and mamas too.  Your toddler won't be scarred.  She knows you love her and she will learn that sometimes people who love each other get overwhelmed and yell, but they can apologize, forgive, and continue loving.  I hope things get better for you soon.

[Purple*Lotus]

You are not a bad Mom.    If your DH is gone for a few days again, do you all have family or friends who might stop by and entertain your DD while you nap or take a bath?  Take care of yourself, you are a good Mom!

[Ava's Mama]

Thanks Ladies,

I felt so much better after having DD at daycare a few hours yesterday and picking her up.  I told her I loved her and I apologized for losing my temper the previous day and that I was frustrated and tired and the way I handled it was inappropriate.  She is fine, and loving as always. 

I had plans to be busy with playdates and family all weekend, but most plans were cancelled because DD was sick and then plans with family were cancelled because they were sick.  Most of the time I would plan on having an out of the house acitivity each day, but since she was sick I wanted to take it easy and let her heal.  She healed and I went crazy!!  We are better now, thank you for the support!