How do you keep your sanity when your baby is going thru a "phase"?

My sweet-pea is going thru a phase where he's not so sweet right now. He's not sleeping at night all of a sudden....and not because anything is wrong, he just wants to be held and rocked, and during the day he is fine until I tell him no, or put him down if he wants to be held (all day!) or won't give him something. Then he cries and screams and kicks and just throws a fit!!! I know this is normal and it is a stage that I'm sure all kids go thru (he is 16 months by the way), but I'm just wondering how everyone else keeps their sanity when their kid is crabby and sleepless for days on end. I know that I shouldn't be "mad" at him (and I would never, ever hurt him) but it's hard not to be crabby with him when the crying and whining is constant. Kind of makes me feel trapped. How do you all deal with it? Just knowing I'm not alone will help!! Thanks!

How do you keep your sanity when your baby is going thru a "phase"?
If I get frustrated I gotta get it out somehow.


Like if I am at my wits end and I need a cry, well I go somewhere quiet and have a cry.


If I get angry or feel I am going to lose my temper I walk into my walk in robe, shut the door and scream out a bad word.


Either way I make sure my son can't see I have lost it and it gets the frustration out of my system and I carry on.


I never really get angry at my son, per se, but you get angry at situations and sometimes have to let fly. I always feel better and no one is any the wiser.
Reply:This is the part of motherhood that no one can explain. You love someone so much and want the best for them and then they drive you crazy. I want to let you know you are not alone. I think some times we think we are alone. We look around and we think every other mother has it together. If you start to talk to those mothers, the open up and tell you all the silly things their kids did today. I don't know how we keep our sanity. I think it is something God put in every mother. Good luck.
Reply:My son was born premature (he's 3-1/2 now), and since then it's been one event after another. Everything from colic to major surgery (waaay too much to detail here). So I feel yor pain, and in all honesty, and with great sincerity, I say pray.





I feel like I'm losing it on a consistent basis, and it's extremely difficult NOT to show these feelings/emotions to my son. He's the youngest ... the miracle baby ... the one they said we'd never have. So I find myself feeling guilty often because I just can't handle it, and I want to scream. You're not alone, but know that you can make it through. This is just one period in time, and it will get better. As bad as it seems you just have to think positively, try to get in a break whenever possible (I know that can be difficult), and talk to God. He'll give you the strength to make it through.





I hope it gets better soon.


God Bless!
Reply:You just have to breath deep and remind yourself that it''l end sometime. That is what I do, my daughter is almost 3 and has gotten into the whine 24/7 phase. Just remember he is more then likely not doing it on purpose, he can't really help it.
Reply:You have to let him cry it out. You probably both need a time out. Put him in a play pen and walk away for a little bit...when it comes to sleeping, I used the cry it out method and now he is a wonderful sleeper...you obviously already have patience because I would never be able to handle holding my heavy son all day! Put your foot down, and the most important thing is consistency.
Reply:all it takes is patience, the more they cry and have a moment, the more you should hug him and love him. He can't fight you when your loving him. But know the difference between discipline and tantrums. I have so much patience. And speaking calmly and always smile.
Reply:My son is at this stage (he's 15 months old). When it get's at it's worst during the day, I just act silly with him. We dance (chicken dance is the best), go for a walk, play peek a boo behind drapes, chase him by crawling, etc. Being silly puts me in a good mood (his laughter always does!), and it's a good change of pace.
Reply:how to keep your sanity when your child is driving you insane:


1)if they didnt sleep last night when they go down for a nap forget the housework and have a nap too


2)if they go to bed at night, run a bath, grab a book, and soak for 30-60mins with some nice bath oils/salts


3)get outside- take a ball or something similar and run him around to use up lots of energy


4)put him in a stroller/jogger and go for a walk, if you're lucky he'l fall asleep, if not at least you'v had a bit of exercise to relieve some stress


5)tell yourself its just a phase and you'l both get through it and it will eventually pass


6)cuddle him lots, remind yourself how much you love him, over emphasise with praise all his good points and anything nice that he does that day


7)SMILE and remind yourself you are doing a great job!!!
Reply:I was single Mom for over 2 years and I completely understand. sometimes you just need to put him down and let him cry. It's so hard to deal with at times, and if you have anyone at all that you trust who would be willing to give you a break, them ask them for help.


There is nothing wrong with asking for help, we all need it.


Have you brought him to a pediatrician, to make sure there isn't something wrong?


My son was terribly whinny and crabby when he was teething and when he was colicky.





Good Luck
Reply:trust me your not alone but something that might help is find someone to stay with him for a hour or so that way you get some space to take a breather or something just relax it will soon pass and you will laugh when he gets older and gets ready to have his own children

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