Escaping the children

I just go "punch the clown in the face."
Works....

Duct tape... and a wall.. tape them too the wall and then go for a nice long hot bubble bath with some wine.

also dog kennels. put them in a kennel and leave them there.

Benadryl.

WHAT!!? It's safe!

Vodka. Not technically a food, right?

Or uhm....a visit to my friend Gigi....by Lelo. Such an amazing stress reliever. Then follow-up with wine.

I totally sympathize! I have a 3.5 and a 1.5-year-old, and if we stay in the house too much, they can drive me and each other batty. I find having activities keeps the three of us happy and sane. If the weather is not too lousy, we are usually at the park. I also take them to indoor play areas or kids' museums, the zoo, playgroups, and playdates with other mum friends.

If it is feasible, I try to incorporate some exercise for me into the activity we do (e.g., going by bike with the kids in the trailer...they love riding in that thing). I'm not very good at thinking up stuff to do at home, but if you are into that, maybe you can find activities to keep them amused long enough for you to take a bit of a breather.

On days where I don't have much planned and I need to get stuff done, I try to physically tire them out anyway, even if it means that it takes 4x as long to do stuff (e.g., walking to the shops instead of using the buggy).

The other thing that has helped my sanity is to make time for myself. My husband works long hours, so this means I can only work out in the wee hours of the morning (he and I take turns doing it). But now that I am more used to waking up early, I love it, as it's just me and my (grown-up) music. If I had a gym with daycare, I'd be there every day!

Oh, and I no longer feel guilty plopping them in front of the telly to chill them out :embarassed:

I got six little ones I know how you feel, but you must say no

Take a hot bath.....

Turn on some fun music and you and the kids dance around. You will burn calories, they will burn energy. You will also get a nice seratonin release that will help make you feel better.

Whew! I only have one (although I also work outside the home), and that's enough to keep me frazzled, as much as I love her. I second the person who said join a gym with day care. Preferably day care and yoga! Drop the kids off at the nursery, and head into the yoga room for a nice chill-out session (or go pump weights if that's what relaxes you).

If you need a substitute for those end-of-the-day cravings when the kids start triggering your emotional eating, try tea? I'm not a big tea fan normally, but some of the super-spicy chai teas are flavorful enough that I don't miss the sweetness, and it keeps my hands occupied.

I'm a stay at home mom too. First tip i scheduling. Figure out the best time for them to wake up. When they get up, for 30 minutes have a show and breakfast. Then for an hour have center time. Have a few different centers of different toys and let them play with them for 20 minutes then pick up for 10 minutes before switching to the next one and repeat. Then crafting time for 30 minutes. Yes, it's possible to do that at every age. Then a small healthy snack time. Have them help you. Then a nap time.

This is your time to relax.

Then when they wake up, lunch time. Have them help or put them on a short show while they wake up.

Then go exercise together for an hour. This means walking together, dancing together, whatever they enjoy. This gets you some exercise and they burn some energy.

Then center time again!

You see what I'm driving at? Have them doing something constantly. Have them doing something so they're burning energy and do the same thing every day so they know what to expect on the most part. Put them to nap at the same time and to bed at the same time every night. And not at like 10 when you're ready for bed. Put them at bed at 7:30 or 8. Then you have an hour or two before to relax before it's time for you to go to bed.