it sounds like my sisters family, she has 5 kids and the 3rd one who is 6 has a low form of autisum, he is still realy smart and all that its just realy hard to comunicate with him.  he has kinda set a example for her 2 younger girls where they scream a high pitch scream to get attention or get what they want. they live in a small 3 bedroom house where in the the loungeroom there is the dinning table, tv cabnit, 2seater lounge and 2 single seaters and the computer desk all within a 5mtr square area, the boys share a bedroom and the girls another where things all have there place but its usaly on top of something els or on a extra big shelf my brother inlaw has put around 3 walls in every bedroom lol. its very hectic, i dont know how my sister handles it, she still dows cooking cleaning ironing every day as well as stuff for the kids school and organises a couple of groups at her church (play group and craft). it has helped her husband has gottin a job where they are breathrens and family comes first and push this to there employes, now if 1 of the kids has a concert or something special on during the day he is abel to take paid time off to go, it has helped alot with the day to day things at home since it has put him in a better mood with how things are. anyway i thought i would let u know ur not the only one in a hi strung family, i know it helps to know ur not the only one sometimes. i realy think u guys (you and my sister) deserve a medeal or something for what u have to go threw. ((((((hugs))))))

hi . you dont say how many children you have or thier ages. my children are adults now whilst they ran around and played on the whole they were very well behaved. like anything though you have all different levels of behaviour with children. the key is to make sure you set boundaries for children. they need to be consistent and realistic. i did write in the questions and answers about boundries in november 2007.

also i know it depends on your level of energy time circumstances and the rest but do try to see the different personalities within your children and cater for each childs needs. if financially you cant afford it dont spend outside your budget but ask around (minti being ideal)  about free activities during holiday time or cheap activites.

the key to a lot of these things are that children need  to be occupied in something they love doing, not what we adults would love doing. (within reason of course) . if they are enjoying their activity and are kept busy they are usually so exhausted by the end of the day that they will also sleep better.

make sure that during these warmer days (if you are in australia) that you limit the cordial  and soft drinks, (water is better for them) as this will make them more hyperactive.

cheers annie

Have you explored what goes into the sensitvity?  Like what is being said or done and what the feelings are behind them?  Like are you tried and stressed from the day, then you hear someone bite someone and you just snap and go ARGHHH?  I find that with me its cause I'm very tired or I feel like I don't have the time I need to devote to that person and so I get snappy.  How about taking vacations from each other?  You and hubby from the kids, the kids from each other and so on.  Sometimes when you are around each other all the time, with no break it gets to you...Just like a puzzle that you can't solve, sometimes you just need to take a break and walk away for a short while.  Also, try to do things to gether at certain times to also reconnect and strengthen your bonds.  Like one night a week do something without the tv, music and such.  Like playing camping and telling stories, or playing a game together....Hope that helps...I know in my family taking breaks and then spending time focusing on the family really helps to release the stresses of life...