Drama from your Mama?

You can rest assured that, when I tell you that I hate drama, I tell you the truth. So how is it, then, that I end up with the 2 of the most over-dramatic children I have ever met?

I speak of my 5 year old male and 4 year old female offspring. My oldest, and most, how should I say it......... dynamic of my 4 children. Thus far. :-/

These two fly off the handle when "hit" over the head with a foam knee mat by their 2 year old sister. They scream bloody murder at the slightest hint of foul weather. Their screams rival those of old school horror flicks when someone darest not to share the hot toy of the hour......I could go on, but I sense your annoyance already.

Understand that I know they are children and, being as such, can not be expected to behave as adults. I know this. This is not what I expect. What I do expect is that my near 6 year old son should be able to have a day pass where he hasn't lost his mind over the most ridiculous of sibling offenses. Or parental "offenses", for that matter. What I do expect is that my precious daughter should not be screaming in fictional agony every single time she comes in contact with an unforeseen obstacle.

Have I set my expectations too high? They are my eldest, and therefore, my first children and every experience with them is a first for me. For this reason I realize that perhaps I'm just naive in the ways of the small fry, but this can't really be normal, can it?

Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and all their strange idiosyncrasies. I do understand that they can only play with the hand they've been dealt (I've never claimed to be a perfectly level citizen). I've tried everything from ignoring offensive behavior to acting immediately to correct it with either outpourings of sympathy (for "wounds") or swift justice (for "wounds" inflicted), all to no avail. The drama just plays on......and on......and on.....

Am I alone out there? Are there any other parents in the great blue yonder reading this now and saying: "What in the blazes?!? This woman can see into my house!"? If you're out there, could you help a Mama out? Any suggestions/encouraging words from those in the trenches are appreciated, just leave them stage right. I'll pick them up during intermission.