Think Your Toddler Is a Terror? Check Out These Six ... They'll Make You Feel Better

on August 16, 2010 at 8:30 PM

Masche Sextuplets Beyond Kate Gosselin and her brood, I've kind of drowned out the steady hum of reality shows based on parents of multiples and those with many children ... like 20. So I wasn't all that surprised that the WE tv show Raising Sextuplets had never made much of a blip on my radar until I saw the Masche family last week on the Today show.

How could anyone not hear of them? I think they could be heard in China as they wreaked sheer havoc on that set. These six 3-year-olds were Naughty, with a capital "N" and out of control. They were running around, not listening to what their parents or anyone said; and one little boy continued to beat on poor Natalie Morales.

Some have criticized the parents for doing little to control the children; an article on Babble called it a "major parenting fail". But really what you do in the same situation on national television?

I hate few things worse than having to discipline my children in front of other people. I always second guess myself and wonder if they think I'm being too lenient or too harsh. I know I shouldn't, but I do. And to be doing it in front of the entire nation, well, I'd probably freeze too.

As the mom tried to explain, the kids were tired from travel and hadn't slept. I've been there. I know how a couple of missed naps can send the whole day into a downward spiral Mary Poppins herself would be powerless against.

And good lord, there are SIX of them. SIX 3-year-olds. I'm tired just typing that phrase.

My one 18-month-old and her tantrums and whining and food tossing are about to send me into tantrums of my own some days. So to think of managing six ... well, I can't.

But I'm going to try.

Every time my daughter screams, I'm going to think of how much worse it would be with five additional voices chiming in. When I look at the food she throws on the floor, I'm going to be thankful that it's not six times more I have to clean up; and when she has next public tantrum, I'm going to thank my lucky stars we're not on live, national television ... because there's no telling what I (or anyone) would do if they were faced with such a challenge.

Do you think the Masches should have handled the situation differently?

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: celeb kids, discipline, mrs manners, tantrums

Comments (10)

Miss-Baby-Baker

on Aug 16, 2010 at 9:27 PM

I really don't know if the parents could have done anything. My son will sometimes throw tantrums in public, but there really is nothing we can do. We can't spank him in front of everyone or yell at him with all those people around us. The only we can do is leave. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like these parents had the option of cutting the interview short. If anything, those responsible for filming the show and even the parents, could have had at least 2 people to keep the kids busy.

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fryshannon34

on Aug 16, 2010 at 9:34 PM

I don't see how they could possibly keep 6 little children in line

Nonmember comment from SKL

on Aug 17, 2010 at 12:06 AM

I didn't see it, but I have to agree and not judge the parents. The whole family was out of their routine. Even the parents couldn't really predict how the kids would behave on the set. Maybe they could have arranged for a couple of people to help or some props to keep them busy. But maybe they were asked not to do that, or it was impractical.

It's one thing to be working with a bunch of 3-year-olds. It's another to do so WHILE also trying to interact with adults. Dang near impossible, even in a familiar / friendly place.

I have two 3-year-olds, and it isn't difficult to manage them. There's always something I can do to keep things under control, but even so, they do make me really tired sometimes! I am not sorry that I have 2 instead of 6.

Craftikitti

on Aug 17, 2010 at 1:19 AM

I can honestly say I would have handled it differently in her situation. I have spent many years working with many different ages and need bases and have learned one HUGE important lessen. DISIPLINE! I am NOT saying beat the children, yell at teh children or any other ego shattering, body breaking abuse that the media tells horror stories of.

I DO mean the good old fashioned mean what you say attitude with children. Set boundries and enforce tehm EVERY time.. even if that mean on national TV. I have been embarassed a time or two, especially when I was assisting with sheet music in front of a church service when I turned around to find my child sitting (crawling under teh chair) in the dead center of the front row. I was quiet and excused myself... but i did NOT ignore her, I informed her that was NOT acceptable and she was expected to SIT on the seat as everyone else did. At song break I returned to my post with the music. I am sure I was beat red.... but consistency pays.That was one of many similar situations with my daughter in her young years... But now she has just turned 18 as of August 5th and is a Lance Coirpral in the US Marines. She did very well... and I helped by laying out guidelines and following them. Always.

hoticedcoffee

on Aug 17, 2010 at 10:13 AM

I haven't seen it, but I'm assuming from what was said that there weren't extra hands on deck to help wrangle the kids. Did everyone just think that 6 tired 3 YOs were going to sit quietly on a big, bright stage where everything was shiny and interesting? I would think the segment producer, at the very least, should have seen that train coming down the tracks and been prepared. And the parents should have spoken up prior to the segment, too - I mean, there's 6 kids - surely they're used to asking for help if they think they'll need it.

sstepph

on Aug 17, 2010 at 10:20 AM

I think they tried their best. Thats all you can do. Try your best. I don't know how in the world I could EVER handle 6 toddlers at once, I can't let alone, handle my 2 year old toddler somedays, and those days I can betcha I use his naptime to cry, or sit in peace and quiet staring at the wall. lol. Toddler tantrums are worse than labor somedays I believe!

tonyalynn

on Aug 19, 2010 at 4:59 PM

having six kids at once, i dont think she could do anything.

Facebook comment from Kymberly Virga

on Aug 27, 2010 at 9:47 AM

Oh jeez. SIX 3 year olds?! And people think they can, for two seconds, understand what kind of life they have and judge them!? Come ON. My one almost-two year old son is CRAZY and I can't even imagine six of him! Toddlers are emerging independent, creative, insane, boundary-pushing little people; and if they DIDN'T do all those things, then I would be worried... Kids this age push boundaries and test their parents' tempers, and it's normal. I give these people credit for allowing the whole world to view their craziness during a live interview. They are just doing their best! Unless their kids were biting or peeing or spitting on each other or the adults, then I don't see what the big deal is... As parents of toddlers, we each deal with unbelivably dramatic tantrums almost every day (you KNOW you do!) and we deal with it...It will pass. Just keep doing your thing, parenting the way you should according to your child, and STOP listening to judgmental fools.