Monica G. Rheinberger says it’s not unusual for her to witness numerous tantrums a day.
The co-owner of the San Antonio Gymboree Play & Music franchise, a gym for kids, says that screaming, kicking or stomping comes with the territory.
And some of those tantrums come from her three young children, who are 2, 4 and 6.
She concedes that, while she sees more than her fair share of kid explosions, tempering the tantrums of her own children can still be a challenge.
Recently, the family had to leave her godson’s birthday party early because her 2-year-old son Brodee was acting up.
And during her 4-year-old daughter Lyndee’s birthday party, she had to stage an intervention for the guest of honor.
“We wouldn’t let her open her gifts for two hours. We were trying to teach her a lesson and be consistent in teaching her what’s right,” says Rheinberger.
Indeed, she says she’s learned that consistency is the key to prevent tantrums. Still, and especially with her youngest, even that doesn’t always work because he’s too young to be reasoned with, something she’s often able to do with his older siblings.
Giving the older kids choices often helps defuse the situation, she says.
This is especially helpful when they’re in public. For instance, she’ll tell them that if they won’t, or can’t, stop screaming, they will have to leave the playground. Her oldest is also learning from school that there are consequences for misbehaving.
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