I'm up for the day now, Kalisha, and I'm looking for your posts. I hope this morning things look more manageable. Echoes is absolutely right. How old are the kids? Depending on the age, all they need is an adult on premises for emergencies. Easy ways to make your presence felt...just to make sure they keep in line and out of trouble: Rice Krispies treats--easy, cheap and kids love them. Cold cider in the fridge, maybe spice some earlier in the day (put it on the stove, throw in some cinnamon sticks and allspice, let it simmer for 20-30 mins), store-bought cookies in those little tubes--Pillsbury? (I never buy those suckers except for Halloween--the little owls and witches--or Christmas--the snowmen) POPCORN and lots of it--and if you're up to it, have the kids string the popcorn and put it out for the birds--remind them not to string it too tightly, and keep the threads no longer than an arm's lenbgth or everyone will just get pissed at getting all tangled up, then let them decorate a tree outside--or a railing, whatever. ............There is really no way to control the noise, but one thing I've done is try to get them to sit down to a movie-fest--each kid brings a movie, they either choose which to start with, or they draw straws. If there are girls have them bring make-up to play around with make-overs--that keeps them very quiet, very intent! (Freaked me out when my kids got serious about make-up...I had to learn it along with them....not a big make-up wearer). Also, the merchants have a kids movie day--three of them. If it's a parents-rotate-the-burden thing and it would make you feel better to do that, try to manage to be the one who takes kids places and drops them off--then the noise is out of your house, at some supervised event, and other parents are grateful that they get to stay home in their slippers, and the don't have a clue that you are desperate for the peace.

Any other practical suggestions from the forum? Maybe it's own thread?

Kalisha, I have been exactly where you are. I hope I never am again, but, you know what?, I'm not counting on it. Now, I know more, though, and my kids are older.......I've been working on writing down blessings everyday.....I suck at this....can't seem to get it together to actually write them down...but I think about what I would write. As we go into the holidays, one of the blessings I've been grateful for is that my kids are older and more independent. I can't wait until they can drive! Now, at their age, the trick for me is to not drift away, but to stay Mom. Parenting is sure to be a struggle for everyone, but I am absolutely positive that we have it bad. But, also, my children are the best thing I've ever done....even by just being here, being their mom.

Post soon, okay? We're here, and we get it.