Raising Kids

I have been really overwhelmed with motherhood lately. I have been really impatient and easily irritated. I know that those facts are probably the reason that my kids have suddenly become more crazy. Yesterday I flew off the handle when Paige intentionally was dropping food on the floor and then told me she didn't do it when she knows that I saw her do it. I let her go play at the park yesterday afternoon and told her to not go anywhere but to the park (across the street) and home. Well I couldn't see her over there so I called the neighbor and she was there, then 15 minutes later another mom calls and said she was over there. AAHHH!!
Landon has been into everything. He wont leave my side. And he is crying all the time. I think he may be getting more teeth! When he doesn't get his way he gets really mad and either hits someone, throws something at someone, or pulls someones hair. What am I doing wrong? I'm so flustered by it all.
This is all coming at a time when I am hearing a lot of stories about kids at the middle school and the things they are doing that are things I didn't even really know about it middle school. I'm terrified to have my kids grow up and in a time that seems to just get worse and worse by the day. I want to do what's right for them but I don't know what that is.
Then I came across a talk by Elder Hales entitled "With all the feelings of a tender parent; a message of hope for families". It helped me a lot. I think my anxiety to make sure everything is perfect is having a bad impact on my kids. This talk helped a lot. He points out 5 important elements of parenting. They are hold family councils, leave the door to our hearts open, liken the scriptures, take advantage of everyday teaching moments, and trust the Good Shepherd.
The two that stood out to me most were leave the door to our hearts open and trust the Good Shepherd. Like the father of the prodigal son, we need to make sure our kids know that even if we don't approve of what they do all the time we will always be there with all the love they need when they are ready to come to us. As far as trusting the Good Shepherd, he will help us "teach our children to meet every challenge, trial, and tribulation in life by remembering who they are - Children of God." And always remember that they are within his reach. We need to not "fear the wrath of the prince of darkness. We need to trust in the light of the Lord"
This helped me a lot. I just need to go back and read it when I am feeling overwhelmed and it really helps me a lot. Sorry to go off, I just needed to vent a little! :-) Ahhh... I feel better already!