School Age Twins

T & M are 3 years, 5 months now. Their behavior has become so bad the last few months. I've tried everything...yelling, no toys, no tv, time-outs, spanking, talking, nothing seems to work. They are constantly into everything. Right now there are cheerios stuck to the kitchen wall. I just removed 2 pairs of shoes, a flashlight and various other toys from the a/c vent. Last week they pushed the tv off and cracked the screen. Earlier today the put stamps everywhere. And you would not believe the things I have gotten out of the toilet!(Ex. tshirt, barbie, bottle of lotion)

It seems like they are constantly going, constantly getting into stuff. One day while I was in the bathroom--for less that a minute--they poured out and entire gallon of milk.

I feel like I am losing my mind. They climb on the dressers. They climb into the washer. They climb on the entertainment center. No amount of discipline seems to work. Where I use to hate sending them to their father's on weekends, I now look forward to it. That makes me sad. Their father has never been much of a disciplner. BUT their stepfather is the opposite. Right now things are just horrible.

Ive been thinking about putting them into daycare--even though I can not afford it--just to get them out of the house for a while. I know something needs to be done now before they get any older. I have always been kinda strict with all my kids.

If anyone has any advice or a book suggestion, please let me know. I am so stressed that my hair has started falling out, my face is broken out and my migraines have returned.

Please help!!

TIA,
~*~April~*~

My twin boys are almost 9. At 3 1/2 they did not have access to as many things as your DDs seem to. It seems that you need to do some serious childproofing or do it again for things they can now get into that they couldn't before.

Our washer/dryer are in the basement and the basement door was always locked--a hook and eye lock so high I could just reach it. I duct taped our fridge door and oven door shut for the period where they were so curious about it. It was a slight inconvenience but it worked. I also explained why they were not to get into things. example: They might be smothered in the dryer (a little fib maybe), the food would spoil if they kept opening the door often, they would get burned on the hot oven if they opened it (and let them feel a very warm but not hot area of it).

I put anything that was tempting WAY up out of their reach, hid it, etc. Granted, I think my boys were unusually well behaved, especially for boys, at this age but, mostly, kids are just curious. Are your DDs getting enough attention from you and their stepdad?

Heidi, mom to Patrick & Connor, 8 1/2, who are still not allowed to use the permanent markers w/o supervision.

Kim, mom to Tanner and Skyler 8 (affectionately known as my heathens)