When we were young, our parents never fail to give us our vitamins. Although some kids take them willingly, many others would require endless negotiations and a long game of tag before you can get them to take it. Some kids have it in a syrup form, but I remember mine as a chewable that comes in different shapes. My mom tricked me that it’s candy so I would take it. I could say that I am one of those kids who would test a mom’s patience when it comes to taking vitamins. Now that I have a kid of my own, I realized how hard it is to be on the other side of the fence and so I seek my pedia’s advice regarding this matter. Here are the best strategies to get your little devil to take his daily multivitamins.’

Tip #1 Communicate

As with any type of dilemma, it’s always best to compromise. Listen to what your child say and acknowledge how s/he feels about it. Then, you tell your side and explain why she needs to take her daily multivitamins. If she refused to understand, start bribing her with simple stuff that she really likes.

My terrible two loves Barney, so I tell her that she can watch Barney after she drinks her multivitamins. Other good bribes include but are not limited to: cookies, play, toys, TV, etc.

Tip #2 Offer choices

According to Erik Erickson’s theory, kids, particularly toddlers, are struggling between autonomy vs. shame and doubt. This means, young kids would greatly appreciate if they can feel a sense of control. Forcing them to drink their daily vitamins would just end up to more struggle and trauma. Because of this, one of the best ways to make your child take his vitamins is by offering her choices. For example, ask your child “do you want to take your multivitamins through a spoon or through a small cup?” This way, you are acknowledging that s/he is an individual who has options but you are firm about giving his vitamins.

Tip #3 Set as an example

Kids love to imitate adults. In fact, whatever your child see you do or hear you say is right, thus if s/he sees you taking your daily multivitamins, s/he will do the same. Try to make it a daily habit that your whole family drinks each of your vitamins at the same time every day and make sure that your child sees that. I personally believe that breakfast is the best time to do so because aside from the fact that it’s the start of the day, it’s also a time when your whole family eats together.

Tip #4 Make the vitamin taste good

Some multivitamins just doesn’t taste good, thus your child doesn’t like it. If this is the case, you can incorporate the vitamins with a glass of juice or with his/her milk. However, you must carefully read the label first before doing so because some vitamins decreases or loses its efficacy when mixed with other substances.

Tip #5 Incorporate it with play

Kids love to play, no question on that. And the best time for them to learn and understand is when they are playing because their minds are absorbing everything that’s happening around them. And so, grab this opportunity to explain that taking multivitamins will allow him/her to grow strong and healthy. You can also engage him in a pretend play where your child plays as the mom/dad and his/her toy as the child. This will help him/her grasp the concept that multivitamins are good for you.

Giving your child his daily multivitamins is definitely a task that is easier said than done. However, you do not have much of a choice so might as well try out these strategies. Remember to always avoid physical struggles as this could cause trauma, never tell your child that vitamins are candies to avoid incidences of overdose, and always read the label before administering anything.

Author Bio: Cynthia Wang-Tan is one of the editors of Best-Multivitamins-Guide.com; a health expert who has written hundreds of articles that help people understand the importance of good health. She recommends healthy eating, regular exercise and a dose of high quality multivitamin to achieve optimum health.

Category: Parenting
Keywords: multivitamin reviews,multivitamin comparison,tips,children vitamins,children food supplements