Temper Tantrum

Of late, the girl has been very prone to temper tantrums whenever she felt that her ideas have been thwarted. Today was one such example.

Brought the Duo out to Downtown East Explorer Kids for an hour of fun then we had lunch before going home. Everything went on well and they had LOTS of fun at the X'plorer playing. The lunch also went on uneventfully. They had their macaroni, then ice-cream for Meryl and greentea for Kyle. On the way back, we passed by the kiddy rides and I told them no. Then they wanted to go for the bouncing castle and I also told them no as it was already 210pm. When we passed by the Ferris Wheel, Meryl insisted on having a ride. Again I said no. She was very, very unhappy and she let me know it by pulling a long face. She was not satisfied with my answer that it was late and that when I said NO, it means No.

In the taxi, she continued to show me her black face and after I had strapped her up, she started kicking her legs (lifting it up and putting them down very hard). Her fists were clenched and she will grunt every few minutes. After explaining to her that I had already spent a lot of money for them to play at X'plorer Kids and that we had taken the Ferris Wheel with Nerise and Raine before, she continued to dwell in her anger. So I ignored her totally and spoke to Kyle. We talked about our plans for the holidays, about going Sentosa. That was when she growled a fierce, 'I want!' I turned to her and asked her what is it she wanted but she continued with her leg kicking and grunting. I told her that I do not understand what she was trying to say. She grabbed my arm wordlessly and squeezed them very tightly ( to her, she was using all her strength but of course I didn't feel anything!) Then I asked her if she wanted to hurt me. Again, she grunted and growled and squeezed me some more. That was when I told her that she will be grounded if this continues. Kyle asked me what the word means and I told him,( for Meryl's benefit) that there will be no going out.

I turned to Kyle and we started talking again when she took my arms and squeezed it again. That was the last straw and I told her that she would be banned from Downtown East for a month. She was visibly upset and growled, 'No!'. Then she continued with her leg kicks and all and again, hit my arms. That was when I increased it to 2 months. By this time, we had reached our home. It was then that I told her that I was upset and that she had hurt me and didn't even apologise. The floodgate burst and she cried, saying that she was sorry. Kyle, ever so 'helpful' told her that it was 'too late'. Meryl cried and cried and cried all the way back but I told that the punishment still holds. She will not get to go Downtown East for 2 months. Then I went to write it down on their punishment board. Only with good behaviour in the ensuing days will we decide to reduce their punishment even though my maid pleaded for her that she was tired as she slept very late late night.