How do you stay patient with kids all day?

I guess I got lucky... I only had one child I had to worry about most of the time unless I felt like inviting more of my daughter's friends over for parties or the weekend. (I did end up taking care of a couple of her friends for two years when their parents left for an extended vacation.) When I felt the need for a break, my daughter's grandmother stepped in and watched Pretty while I visited with friends or had time for myself. (If you can't tell, I was a single father and my ex was a deadbeat mother... After I got full custody, we almost never saw her and, when we did see her, it was for supervised visitation only here in my house.) Of course, Pretty and her friends are all adults now so I don't have that type of problem anymore. It did get hectic at times. I just did my best not to take anything out on the kids. I knew it wasn't their fault and I'd feel guilty if I said or did anything they didn't deserve. Just remember, they're kids, so treat them like kids and you'll be fine.

Try not to be so hard on yourself. Even with just one child a mom is going to lose patience, and especially if they have more than one. I think you need a designated kid free time. If it’s a couple, they need a date night, if it’s a single mother, maybe the grandparents can step in while the mom gets a pedicure. Make sure there is something you can see coming where you know you won’t have to hold it together. There is a rest coming, and you can make it until then. Most of all though, I advocate praying. God can give us more patience than we ever dreamed. And He can help us forgive ourselves when we eventually fail.