re: slap
hmm ya agree with hoho, dun slap them. Maybe lightly beat their hands or bum. Other than potentially inflicting injury like hearing thingy, its a little demeaning and detached to do that I feel. I know easier said than done but... we really must remind ourselves to control our temper. When we punish our kids especially physically, it must always be done at the moment when our heads are clear and we know its for a specific purpose. Not at the moment when our hearts are filled with anger.
Sc, when J was borned, my S also suddenly became more difficult. I went through a lot of emotional upheavals too.... wondering what happened to my boy... keep struggling with guilt of neglecting either him or J. Behavioral problems... eg. there was a time when J was borned, he rejected us and only want my mum. Whenever its time to go home from ah ma's house, he cried and fuss and kick like mad. I was in such depression. I guess I made a decision at that time... cos he was only 14months old.... I decided that other than the time where I need to bath, feed, clean J plus her daily stimulation time, I will spend all other times with Samuel...sacrificing my own time to rest etc. I really spend a lot of time with Samuel during my ML... I guess things took a total turn. Though of course I did sacrifice the bonding between me and J.... she is closer to her daddy and my mum
Well I am working at more bonding with her now...
And there was a period of time the 2 of them keep falling sick one after another... really a stressful time for all of us in the first 7 months of J's life. Anyway slowly things will take a better turn... but important is ... whatever you do, try to keep your cool especially towards the kids. In those 7 months that J was borned, and S was difficult, I had never once beaten him. Even the number of time I scolded him also can count with my 5 fingers. Try to be more patient or let your hb or mum handle him. Always explain to him and reaffirm your love afterwards if you are unable to keep your cool at that moment. I guess this is the so called "price" of our decision to have a pair of closely aged children...
I think hormones play an important part also... so try to resolve to let your head rule your heart.
One thing though... hiring a maid or sending to cc is going to affect everyone including the child... so gotta think properly and then decide on it... both have their advantages
btw, me too, right now still at times toying with the idea of having a maid... its really v tough to have 2 such young kids.... even right now J is turning 1, life is still a big hassle of work for us... constantly running after one or the other or both... and most of the times, cant even eat a meal in peace... etc And I still struggle with the guilt of having not given J more of my attention... but really learn to kan kai more... else I think I am the first person to go crazy and that defeats my initial aim of wanting to bond with 2 of them etc...