Can you people appreciate how difficult this makes laundry days???

I was waiting for blogging inspiration to strike this morning, when…

WHAM.

I got hit in the face with a block.

An actual block. Thrown by Count Waffles, not because he wanted to hurt anyone. And not because he was finding some new, avantgarde way to build a tower. But simply because he did not want his sister to touch the block.

The sibling issue around here is getting worse. And I’m really out of ways to handle it with any sort of tact or dignity. I’ve sunk to, “be NICE to your SISTER or you’re in BIG trouble,” tirades…laced with a little “you’re her brother, she wants to be near you, she loves you, you are supposed to teach her,” guilt trips.

Count Waffles the Terrible has gotten so bad, Princess Peanut is not even allowed to look at him. From 40 feet away. One glance and he’s shrieking like she spit lava all over his favorite toy.

I have friends who tell me I should be thankful all the Count does is scream. Their nearly three year old tries to smother his little sister. And kicks her. And punches her. And knocks her over on purpose. And displays overall serial killer characteristics with his sibling. The Count jus screams about his. Mainly because the few time he has gotten physical, he’s been in sooo much trouble he dare not go there again.

But mix one crazed, post partum Mom, with one constantly shrieking toddler, add in a dash of crying baby…and whammo, dinnertime around here becomes an exercise in me not becoming an alcoholic or pill-popper while the children meltdown because one is, heaven forbid, crawling in the same direction as the other.

I don’t know what to do.

We’re trying the “I don’t want to hear you scream unless she’s actually touching you” route. That’s not really working.

I’ve tried the “but she just loves you so much” route.
But the Count could really care less.

I’ve tried the “but look how much FUN you can have together” thing…but that lasts for the 3 minutes they were having fun, then someone touches someone else and shrieking ensues.

Please don’t tell me to go get Dr. Someone or another’s book on sibling whatever. I’m trying to read a book right now, and it’s taken me 3 days to get 30 pages.

I need real world parenting advice.

How do I discipline a boy who is allowed to not want to be near his sister? Who has every right to get a little uppity when she comes near, because, let’s face it…she normally slobbers on him and pulls his hair.

But I really can NOT stand this constant shrieking. I’m going even more insane than I already am.

Help me internet. You’re my only hope.