Despite a bit of residual grumpiness, the children seem much better today and have eaten loads On the negative side I now have the mega snots and feel really flu-ey I can see why the kids have been so grumpy as I feel awful I’ve been a terrible mommy today! So grumpy, irritable and shouty The poor kids looked terrrified lol! Alfie at least understood when I apologised and explained to him how rough I felt, and gave me a big kiss. I even threatened the poor boy with nursery so I could get some peace which really upset him! He said he loved me too much – don’t know why today lol!

Being positive though, after a couple of horrid, shouty hours, I managed to pull the situation together by stopping trying to carry on as normal! I’d been cleaning the kitchen, trying to make up our Xmas gift boxes, put washing away etc whilst feeling awful and shouting at the kids for every little thing. Well, some of the things were far from little (Alfie deliberately stamping on the cakes I’d bought, Holly tearing one of the new gift boxes…) but shouting was still not the right response. Still, I guess I once again proved how ineffectual and upsetting to family harmony shouting is I am so not a shouty mommy usually. Thank goodness!!!!

So, positive stuff

- Looking at all the Xmas stuff in Asda

- Lunch in Asda cafe

- The children seeming so much better

- Making a start on our gift boxes

- Making chocolate crispie cakes

- Playing lots of fun and very educational games on the computer – learning about the world, maths skills and practicing Alfie’s ever improving mouse and keyboard skills. Plus co-operation – Alfie helping Holly with games and turn taking.

- Singing Xmas songs

- Recognising that this is a temporary grump and that my kids still love me despite it. Some people are always like this lol!!!