What is your hardest time(s) of the day? - Page 2

[featherstory]

When I'm making dinner and bedtime.  Not both everyday.

[penstamon]

I have a hard time first thing in the morning because I am exhausted and not ready to move yet but DS1 is jumping on me, needing to go potty and/or get changed and DS2 co-sleeps so DS1 wakes him up.

Getting lunch in my toddler is usually stressful because I have to do it early enough so he doesn't get overtired or the nap will suffer.  DS2 is usually fussy then too and I have to juggle the two until one or both fall asleep.

Late afternoon/before dinner is by far the WORST because DS1 gets so obnoxious- he wants to crawl around under my legs while I am cooking or ram his toys into me or pull on my legs or throw tantrums.  He is impossible to keep occupied while I cook.  Meanwhile DS2 gets fussy and wants to be held while I cook, which isn't safe or easy to do.  I need a cook!

[IrishWristwatch]

That time right before dinner. They're usually antsy (bored of our typical afternoon activities of crafting, gardening, gaming and indoorish stuff) and hungry by that time, and I'm often busy cooking dinner so I can't go do stuff with them as easily. In the summer it's easy, I can just send them outside, but in the winters I don't like them being out by themselves at dusk or in the dark, so unless there are other people around, they're confined to the indoors or a small, boring outside area. That hour before dinner is when 90% of our squabbles and whining happens, so I know it's our problem time of the day and I probably need to make an effort to consciously but subtly shift our rhythm. We don't have a schedule, but there's a definite rhythm to our day and it's obviously leading us to this problem hour, so I need to work on it.

[IrishWristwatch]

Originally Posted by penstamon 

I have a hard time first thing in the morning because I am exhausted and not ready to move yet but DS1 is jumping on me, needing to go potty and/or get changed and DS2 co-sleeps so DS1 wakes him up.

Getting lunch in my toddler is usually stressful because I have to do it early enough so he doesn't get overtired or the nap will suffer.  DS2 is usually fussy then too and I have to juggle the two until one or both fall asleep.

Late afternoon/before dinner is by far the WORST because DS1 gets so obnoxious- he wants to crawl around under my legs while I am cooking or ram his toys into me or pull on my legs or throw tantrums.  He is impossible to keep occupied while I cook.  Meanwhile DS2 gets fussy and wants to be held while I cook, which isn't safe or easy to do.  I need a cook!

Oh boy, I remember those years mama! Hang in there, it does get a lot better ;) I had mine at almost the same age gap, and those were all huge problem times for me too.
 

[AnnaBees Mama]

Our two hardest times are

1) the hour or so just before dinner and our bedtime routine and, if he's working the day shift, when daddy gets home. It just seems to drag on forever. Once we get in the groove of dinner, the relief of DH being home, and working toward her bedtime, it goes much faster. 

2) If DD is still awake, 9-11pm. She's a sleep fighter, and I get so drained trying to help her fall asleep it feels like it will never happen. It's always a relief when she's goes down without a struggle.

[autumnfairy76]

Mine is 7-8:30 or until DH comes home (usually between 8 and 8:30) we eat dinner late here and I find it nearly impossible to cook at that time. I try to do a little prep for dinner during naptime but then I feel like I am cooking all day.

I usually am OK until about 6pm but then I feel like DH should be home soon and I know he won't be so I get discouraged. So time drags till 7 and then it gets tough.  I suppose if he were getting paid for all that extra work he puts in it would be a little better. But at least DH is a huge help with the kids when he is home!

[mommyabroad]

3-5 .. it always has been.  Even before kids!