When things have gone really out of control, you need to start from the beginning - don't discipline, yell or lecture. Instead, you have to make a plan of action. It might take you a month or two to get things into shape. Asking a professional counselor for help will make it easier for you. However, if you don't choose to do that, please read my book "Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice" from cover to cover. Let the kids be wild for another week while you do your homework. You can also download the 5 main tools you will need from the MP3 section of this site. Be sure to listen to the free download on the 80-20 Rule. It's essential that you don't accidentally reinforce the bad behavior with too much attention. Till you've finished your reading and listening, just be careful to increase the attention you're giving to everyday normal "good" behaviors. For now, try to minimize negative emotion - don't get too excited about anything they're doing wrong. If possible, use 5 words or less if you have to correct them - no speeches. But try not to correct them until you've finished your reading. It's more important to be effective than to do anything about this in the next few days. Again, professional assistance will make your job easier and I highly recommend it.   Sarah Chana

My kids were like that too and I was always screaming at them. I decided to stop screaming no matter what and their behavior got better right away.

I agree that counseling can help so much. I have 3 little boys and our house was crazy! They were so wild! A wonderful counselor helped me to create a parenting plan that included more positive attention and more effective discipline and it worked miracles. Now I like coming home!