Try this and see if it works.....

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/10062/An-effective-method-of-discipline-/

I have found this method works with children of all different temperaments and ages.  It means you don't get angry so they don't get the reaction they are sometimes looking for.  It also teaches them consequences for their actions are not always what they want.  And most importantly, it shows them god behaviour gets the things they want.  It will probably take a month or so to really ahve an impact.

Dealing with kids sometimes becomes a battle of wills, and we can lose sight of what message we should be giving them. 

I have the same problem and I keep yelling at my 2.5 yr old which is really not good.

I think time out for yourself would help and to think they they may not know it is wrong what they are doing? and just see it as fun and learning, but I need to practise what I preech and learn to control my temper.

Just letting you know you are not alone.

If your child is not in any danger, walk away for a moment collect your thoughts...
Walk away is all I can do, or call for back up... My favorite words are.... "HUBBY YOU DEAL WITH IT".
Of course if hubby is not there, then walking away for a moment to come back more calm and say hey you are upsetting your mum...

And I hate to say this but sometimes it has brought me to tears... And a little tear in the eye brings Francis straight to me no matter what he is doing wrong, he will always give me a hug if he sees I am upset...

I know it does not solve the problem but it gives you time out even if just for a moment...

Learning meditation has helped me

Hey, I know A is older than my boy, and also has other issues to deal with, but when I get mad, I sometimes put him in his room or the front room which are both safe, and I can hear what he is doing anyway then I sit down for a couple of mins some times have a cuppa if he is playing quietly, then when I go back in everything is fine. I tell him as I walk out I need time out and this seems to work. He is still a little young to explain the whys and so forth, But maybe you could apply it to your situation. If you ever want a chat minti mail me. ok. (((hugs)))

I cry sometimes and Go into my room, and i know that isnt Good, but it saves me saying something or doing something i regret later... After that 9-10 one of my children will say sorry, and we have a chat where they need to understand that it hurts my feelings when they dont listen, and we work on stragetys so we can have it better next time..

It wont work for little ones, but  we as parents can only do what is best for us...

xxx cazza

first of all, hang in there!!!!  we all deal with this as parents.  and it's as scary to be mad for us as it is for our kids to experience our anger.  two books helped me a lot with this:  growing up again by jean illsley-clark and the dance of anger.  it's hard work to deal with your own issues but totally worth it.  it's not about whether kids listen to us or not, it's about our need to avoid feeling helpless and out of control.

I know how you feel.  I like a fuse ready to blow at times.  It's so hard to sometimes take a step back are relax, especially when it's a situation that requires immediate action or someone could get hurt.  When I feel like I'm going to blow, I quickly take a deep breath and tell my daughter one more time what I asked.  If she does not listen, I try to do a quick assessment as to whether or not it pertains to something that could harm her.  If not, then I just let her be for a few mins and ask her again later.  Believe me, it's alot harder then you think, but with practice and time it becomes better.  I have writen advise about anger management from my own experince, check it out and see if it helps...Or you can minti-mail me if you have more specific questions...