Mum shares controversial reason 3yo twins have 'never' had a tantrum

Despite revealing her game-changing 'secret', some parents claimed that 'no tantrums' shouldn't be the goal. 

Image: TikTok

A mum has shared her controversial approach that seems to have prevented her three-year-old twins from ever having a tantrum. 

And while it sounds simple enough, parents in the comments say she’s missing one very crucial detail.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

Image: TikTok

RELATED: Mum of quadruplets gets body-shamed at kids’ swimming class

"Never had a tantrum"

April Jackson, 34, said she first discovered that her parenting style differed from others after a recent conversation with a friend.

The mum shared a video about her realisation on her TikTok, @apriljacksonofficial, and it's since gone viral with over 1.3 million views and over 7,400 comments.

“If you’re pregnant and your baby is still in the 'alien phase,' I have some advice for you,” she begins.

“But if you already have toddlers throwing tantrums, I’m really sorry; I’m no expert.”

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

The twin mum then revealed that her friend told her their kids get upset when she takes away their iPads or switches off the TV.

But April responded, “but my kids have never seen an iPad, they’ve never watched television.” This meant they never fought over screen time because they’ve never been exposed to screens. 

She also mentioned another example: food. It's not an issue for her but is for her friend, who constantly has to say 'no' to sugary treats or else her kids will “go crazy.”

April, who often makes her kids unprocessed, sugar-free meals, replied, “But my kids have never had sugar.”

“When they ask for beetroot hummus with boiled eggs and avocado for breakfast, I'm happy to make it for them. They only know the food I want them to eat, so I’m excited to say yes,” she boasts. 

Yet another way she stops her kids from fighting is by dressing them in the same outfits because “it’s peaceful” and “they don’t argue over anything.”

“There are times where they actually choose different clothes themselves, but the point is that I always have the same thing available, so if they want to choose, it’s easy to give it to them,” she notes.

RELATED: Mum’s toddler boundary-setting sparks debate among parents

Parents had their doubts...

Mums in the comments saw one glaring issue with her theory—that most tantrums are over trivial things and are, therefore, unavoidable.

“Girl, your kids are built differently. Lol, my kid once threw a tantrum because I buttered toast that she asked for incorrectly,” said one mum.

“My son had a tantrum today because I wanted to sit down,” another equally baffled parent chimed in.

“My son had a tantrum because his banana broke off, and I couldn’t put it back together again,” shared a third.

April replied to many of these comments, clarifying that her definition of a tantrum might differ from that of other parents and that it’s “all on a spectrum.”

“I feel like they are still in touch with their emotions, I’m not saying they’ve never been sad, upset or frustrated, they’ve just never flung themselves on the ground screaming,” she said.

"Love this"

Meanwhile, other parents supported the mum’s approach and said they’d implemented similar strategies.

“My twins are eight and never had a tantrum either, and they’ve never had a dispute because I did the same things,” shared another mum.

“I love this way of life, the Montessori, no-sugar life. Regulated kids!” another replied.

Tantrums are essential, according to some

But criticism kept coming for the mum, as others argued that “tantrums are actually good for kids.”

“They are great for them to learn how to cope with their feelings (with our help).The way we cope as adults is the learned behaviour from our childhood,” explained one commenter.

And someone else claimed, “The goal shouldn't be to avoid ANYTHING that could cause a tantrum just because it's easier for us.”

What do you think? Tell us in the Facebook comments. 

Originally published as Mum shares controversial reason 3yo twins have 'never' had a tantrum