For the days when the kids just don’t listen and things just are bad, how do you deal? I feel like I see them (3 kids under 7) so infrequently that all the bad days are a wasted opportunity. I don’t want to be a Disneyland dad so I enforce rules and chores and expect to be listened to when I ask. Some days all I feel I am doing is trying to get them to listen or talking about inappropriate behavior.

I try redirecting and distracting and they still just don’t listen or respect what I say. I try to set limits on unsafe behavior while still trying to give them more autonomy. I hate having days filled with time outs and losing toys but I know they need the structure and discipline. It just sucks sending them back and having them be gone for days again and we didn’t maximize the time together.