[Article] Kids & Multivitamins

by Tracy Lew, Corporate Nutrition Advisor, Nestlé

"While a properly balanced diet should be enough for your child’s daily needs, providing additional nutrients can help make a difference in case of a deficiency."

We all know that growing children need the right vitamins and minerals to support their proper growth and development. Certain nutrient-specific foods like milk and some vegetables are highly recommended for kids, and parents are constantly looking for ways to include these in their child’s meals.

Although already aware of what your child needs, as a caring and responsible parent you may have noticed the many advertisements for multivitamins for kids and have asked yourself: “Does my child really need multivitamins?”

The role of multivitamins

Ideally, the normal food your child eats would always be healthy and nutritious, providing all the necessary vitamins and minerals he needs to grow up healthy and strong.

But the reality is that so many factors – from physiological to environmental - may affect your child’s growth that it is understandable for parents to worry if the nutrition regular food provides is enough. While a properly balanced diet should be enough for your child’s daily needs, providing additional nutrients can help make a difference in case of a deficiency.

When considering giving your child additional nutrients, here are a few things to remember:

- Giving your child a balanced diet is the best way to ensure he gets the vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed for proper growth
- Multivitamins are only meant to supplement a balanced diet, and should never replace healthy food
- Consider giving your child enriched foods, which provide additional nutrients in a more natural manner
- Formulated milk is a good way to help ensure your toddler gets the right nutrition during the weaning years when his dietary needs change
- Always consult your doctor, nutritionist or dietician before giving multivitamins to your child

[Article] 8 Ways to Prevent Temper Tantrums

Article taken from About.com

Wouldn’t it be great if you were a mind-reader, able to predict your preschooler’s every thought word and action before it occurred? Not only would you be the most intuitive person on the planet, but you’d be able to prevent one of the least-loved aspects of parenting a preschooler: the temper tantrum. The key to preventing a temper tantrum is in the advance planning. Mind-reading isn’t necessary, but a thorough working knowledge of your child is. Choose a solution based on what you have on hand and the situation. What works at home might not be appropriate for the doctor's office and vice versa. Good luck!

1. Play Mind Games

Many temper tantrums start because your preschooler is bored. A child's least-favorite activity? Waiting quietly. So whether you are waiting for the doctor, on line at the post office or to have the car serviced, it's a good idea to have some fun games in mind that you can play together. "I Spy" is a classic that never gets old, or try "Find It First" -- look around the room and see who can find a designated item (like a clock or a blue chair) first. Guessing games are always fun and provide endless opportunities. Have your child close her eyes and take something out of your diaper bag or purse. See if she can guess what it is.

2. Super Snacks to the Rescue

Tantrums often occur because your child is hungry, or they are bored so they think they are hungry. Keep a small selection of healthy, non-perishable snacks in the car -- think popcorn, pretzels (for these two, make sure your child is old enough so they won't choke), all-natural fruit snacks and granola bars. Dry cereal in a bag is usually a hit, as are sugar-free lollipops if you want to give a special treat. Juice boxes generally last a long time, so you can keep a supply of those handy, or try to remember to grab some out of your refrigerator before you head out the door.

3. Share Tall Tales

No books handy? Use your imagination, or even better, have your child use hers. Tell a favorite story from your own childhood or work together to summarize a favorite book you read together often. Make up stories. Is there an interesting painting hanging in the waiting room? What is it about? Take turns adding to the tale for a creative twist. If you happen to have crayons and paper on hand (or even a pen or a pencil) draw pictures to match your words.

4. Always Bring a Bag of Tricks

You wouldn't leave your house without your car keys, so why not make crayons, books and other small items on-the-go essentials? Without them, you chance your little one having a breakdown. With them, your child is an angel. The goodies don't have to be anything fancy. Best bets include a small package of crayons and coloring book, board books, die-cast cars and the toys given out with children's meals at most fast-food restaurants. Have a few selections and consider switching them after every few outings to eliminate boredom. Other no-fail choices: a mirror, a tape measure, stickers and a small flashlight. It's amazing how endlessly entertaining common household items can be. Use your imagination!

5. Ask Questions

Use this opportunity to learn about your child and let him learn about you. They can be simple for younger preschoolers -- "What do you want for your birthday?" to more complex for older kids -- "What would happen if toys were real?" Chances are they'll lead to an interesting, meaningful conversation. Make sure you answer the questions too!

6. Make Waiting = Learning

Still have that paper and pen? It's amazing how much good use you can put them to. Even a 3-year-old will enjoy practicing writing his name, letters and numbers. Write all the names you know -- Grandma, Grandpa, your child's friends, siblings, etc. Show your child what his name looks like in script or big block letters. Let him color them in. If that gets tedious, move to numbers. With older preschoolers, practice writing simple three-letter words. See if they can guess what certain words where you are waiting start with -- light, floor, rug.

7. Become Soothsayers

Who will be called next? What's the receptionist's name? There are all sorts of questions just begging to be answered while you sit and wait. Will there be a phone message waiting for you at home? What color car will be parked next to you when you get to the parking lot? Put your preschooler's natural inclination to ask questions to good use.

8. Trick Temper Tantrums Away

Take four items out of the diaper bag or your purse. Have your child study them. Have her close her eyes or turn her head. Take one away. See if she can guess which one is missing. Ask your child if he can guess when a minute has passed. 30 seconds? See how close they come -- and learn how time is a very difficult concept for a child to comprehend! Take a small item like a coin or button and hide it in your hand. Can your child guess where it is? Can you guess when your child hides it? Ask your child to close her eyes. Can she remember what color shirt you are wearing? Can you remember what color socks she has on?

[Article] How to Stop Temper Tantrums

Article taken from About.com

Keeping Your Cool When Your Preschooler Loses Control
By Amanda Rock

It happens to even the best parents, usually at the worst times. In the doctor’s office. On line at the grocery store. In the middle of a play date. The dreaded temper tantrum can occur at any time and often without warning.

Upsetting to a child and embarrassing for a parent, temper tantrums are a normal part of a young child’s development. A preschooler’s temper tantrum often stems from frustration -- not being able to properly express themselves, unhappiness with the current situation or even just being too tired, hungry or bored. The key to handling temper tantrums is to not feed into it -- if you can keep your cool, it’s likely your child will calm down faster. If you are past the point of not allowing a tantrum to start, here’s how to stop temper tantrums:

Why Do Kids Have Temper Tantrums?

Although slightly more common in the toddler years, many preschoolers still have tantrums, much to the dismay of the adults around them. The most common ages for a tantrum are one through four, although anyone can have one (even grown-ups!). And though some may stem from outright rebellion, many tantrums occur due to a frustration of some kind. Embarrassing and upsetting for everyone involved, (especially if it occurs in public) a tantrum is the way a child may react when they are trying to assert their independence, but something is hindering it.

There are lots of scenarios for tantrums to arise:

* Preschoolers have yet to develop skills that will allow them to express themselves the way they might like to and when they are unable to get their message across, a breakdown may often occur.

* Sometimes a child may not know what he wants -- he could be tired or hungry or just plain bored.

* If the child is trying something for the first time -- tying shoes for example, and just can't figure it out.

* He could just be having a bad day.

Some children will rarely have tantrums while others could have them a few times a day. There's no clear-cut reason why this happens, but childhood development experts suspect a number of different factors, including the child's age, stress levels, his general disposition and health issues both diagnosed and undiagnosed.

You should also consider your own behavior. Do you give in to your child’s demands easily or are you very stern? Some studies have found that often a child has a tantrum in reaction to how a parent responds to a situation, whether it's saying yes or no to buying a piece of candy at the grocery store or when a child asks for a few more minutes at the playground.

Tantrum Time -- What to Do When Your Child Has Had Enough

There are a couple of schools of thought on handling the tantrum and which you choose will depend on where you are and what type of kid you have.

* Ignore it: If you can, try walking away, making sure that your child is safe first. Stay nearby, but make sure it’s clear by your actions that her display has no effect on you. Don’t make eye contact and don’t talk to her. When she sees that she’s not getting a reaction, she’ll probably stop.

* Diffuse it: If you don’t have the stomach to be passive, there are some techniques you can try. Soothe your child by rubbing her back and talk to her in low, quiet tones. Some parents find repeating the same phrase over and over again like, “You’re OK,” or “It’s alright”or singing a quiet song or nursery rhyme seems to work. You can also try injecting a little humor into the situation by telling a silly joke or making a funny face.

What you shouldn't do: yell back at your child or try to reason with him. While your child in the middle of an emotional outburst, there is no way to get through to him. You just have to wait until it is over.

If the tantrum is in a public place, pick her up and bring her to a more private location like your car or a public bathroom. If you can’t get the tantrum under control, put her into her car seat and go home. Unfortunately, there are some instances where you just can’t leave, such as an airplane or a train. Just do your best and grin and bear it. Others might be annoyed but your child is your concern, not anyone else.

If you child starts to bite, kick, hit or show some other aggressive behaviors, you must take action immediately. Remove the child from the situation until she can calm down.

When the tantrum is over, don’t dwell on what happened as upset or as angry as you may be. Going over what happened again and again will most likely upset your child and could cause them to begin to tantrum again. Instead, give her a hug and a kiss and move on. If you feel like you need to talk about it, wait a few hours when you are both more calm.

The good news is, this stage won’t last forever. As your child matures and learns how to better express himself, she’ll learn how to handle her emotions.

[Quiz] Is your child a spoiled brat?

A few days ago, I took a screening quiz to see if I was raising a spoiled brat! :p

This test applies to especially parents with kids of at least 2-3 years of age. For me, I just imagine how Sarah would react in certain situation when she's at that age, doing what she's doing now. But of course, some situation cannot be determined yet and only time will tell. Well, this is the result I got... (oh! oh...)

Your child does have one or more signs of being a spoiled brat. Do remember that many of these behaviors are normal for younger children, but should become much less frequent once your child is 2 or 3 years old, at which time temper tantrums, etc., should be more the exception than the rule of the day. You said that your child has one or more of the following signs of being a spoiled brat, including that he does:

* have frequent temper tantrums

* act very demanding and always want to get his own way

* fight, protest, or say "no" to everything

* rarely follow your rules

* rarely listen when you say "no" or "stop"

* frequently try to control other children and adults

* frequently complain that he is bored and will not play on his own

* not understand that there is a difference between what he needs and what he wants

* have little respect for what other people want

* not follow a schedule and just does things when he wants to, including choosing nap time, when to go to bed, and what to eat

* not understand that there are consequences for not following the rules

* frequently hit, bite, and yell when he doesn't get his way

* play with new toys for about 5 minutes and then wants something new


You said that your child does not have one or more of the following signs of being a spoiled brat, including that he does not:

* get frustrated easily

* demand to have every new toy that he sees on TV

* frequently interrupt you (and not in the polite way by saying "excuse me") when you are on the phone, etc.

* keep you from going out to dinner or doing other things in public because you are afraid of how he will act

* need bribes to get him to do anything

* usually have trouble playing with other kids because he is always bossy and never shares

* scare away every babysitter within 20 miles of your home

It can't be fun having a child who is a spoiled brat. The frequent crying and whining must quickly wear you down. Unfortunately, giving in may work in the short term, stopping a tantrum, but it just teaches your child that his misbehavior works to get him what he wants.

If you don't want your child to become spoiled, learn to set limits, have daily routines, and be consistent.

If you need extra help, review our discipline guide, read a discipline book, talk to your Pediatrician, or even get help from a child psychologist.

And remember that a spoiled child is not a happy child. You may think that you are doing the right thing by giving your child everything he wants and not having any limits, but he is going to be in for a rude awakening when he finally discovers that the rest of the world isn't going to bend over backwards to keep him happy.

You can start the quiz here: Spoiled Brat Screening Quiz.

This quiz gave me an idea of how it's like to be a parent of a toddler... and a spoilt one? (oh boy...) Well, it's definitely not too late to learn and be of help to our children. Our kids need our guidance as parents and let's be there for them - teaching them what's right and what's not. There are many things (not-so-nice-things) that weren't taught to them (I'd like to say to blame it on Adam & Eve! :p) Surely, it would be challenging but also, praying that God will grant us the wisdom and the know-how to raise our children in His image, in this ever so challenging times we're living in.

[Knowledge: Toddler] Temper Tantrums

Temper tantrums are another universal part of the life a toddler, since they can get frustrated easily and can't express what they need or want very well. But while they are something that is to be expected, that doesn't mean that you can't take steps to try and make them happen less often. Most importantly:

• try to anticipate tantrums, distract your child before one erupts, and keep in mind that most toddlers can't be easily calmed down once a tantrum starts, although you should pick up your child is you think they will hurt themself.
• don't give in to tantrums

Get more information about discipline.

[Knowledge: Toddler] Potty Training

Some toddlers are ready to begin potty training as early as eighteen months, while others don't begin until they are two years old or older. And while there are many different potty training methods, one thing is clear - starting too early or pushing your child to become potty trained when they aren't ready doesn't work. So develop a plan on how you want to potty train your child and then wait for signs of readiness.

Get more information about Potty Training.

[Knowledge: Toddler] Safety

Although your home should be childproofed by now, you have to be even more careful now as your toddler gets more mobile.

To keep your toddler safe, you should:

• keep her in her car seat in the back seat facing backwards until she is 12 months old AND 20 pounds. After that, she can face forward in the backseat, or continue to face backwards until she reaches the seat's weight limit.
• in addition to having covers on electrical outlets, latches on cabinets, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, etc., you should also be sure to remove climbing hazards from your home. It is also a good idea to use wall anchors to keep large appliances and furniture from tipping over if your child climbs on them. And place childproof covers on door knobs to make sure that your toddler can't get out of the house on his own or into rooms that aren't childproofed.

Get more information about Child Safety.

[Knowledge: Toddler] Picky Eaters

Many parents would characterize the typical toddler as being a picky eater. Keep in mind that even if your toddler is a picky eater, if he is growing normally and is physically active, with a lot of energy, then his diet is probably okay.

Parents of picky eaters should remember that:

• the typical serving size for a toddler is about 1/4 of what an adult size serving would be, so you would only expect a toddler to eat 1/4 of a slice of bread, 1-2 tablespoons of vegetables, or 1 ounce of meat.
• if your toddler is drinking too much milk and/or juice, she may be too full to eat, so follow the typical recommendations of 16-24 ounces of milk and 4-6 ounces of juice.
• most toddlers like to feed themselves, so give them lots of chances.
• toddlers will often want to try what their parents are eating and that is a good opportunity to get them to try some new foods, although you may have to offer it several times before they even think of trying it.

Get more information about Picky Eaters.

[Knowledge: Toddler] Nutrition Basics

As your toddler gets off baby food and starts eating more and more regular 'table' food, you can expect his diet to look just like the rest of the family's diet. That means three meals a day and a couple of healthy snacks.

The typical toddler will likely get:

• 16-24 ounces of whole cow's milk each day, although this isn't necessary if your toddler is still nursing 2-3 times a day. Avoid low fat milk until your toddler is at least two years old.
• no more than 4-6 ounces of 100% fruit juice each day.
• on average, 6 servings of grains, 2-3 servings of vegetables, 2-3 servings of fruits, and 2 servings of 'protein' foods, like meat, fish, chicken, or legumes (beans, peas, lentils).

Get more information about Child Nutrition.

[Article] Outsmart Your Toddler

Here's a sharing from a friend of mine... She's got a little girl, Nicole, age 2+... and i believe you will benefit from this reading as much as i have! Will use some of these tips when Sarah grows into a toddler... Enjoy reading... :)

Outsmart Your Toddler

Nicole really has "her ways" nowadays. She always wants something which is opposite from what we wanted and her demands are always "now, now, now". Sometimes we would give in if it's a small request and if she were to say "please". If we don't, she could really throw a fit. It's quite a sad sight. Sigh! Most of the time, she'll really get it from the "rod". But after all the "sorries" and "hugs", she'll be back to her "old ways" again in a few minutes. Kids forget so fast.

Every night before sleep, I will pray with her and talk to her about the things she does that made us sad. Really need wisdom in dealing with kids her age. Found this on the net. Will try instead of on the "battle" mode with her all the time.

Act like an idiot

"Even the most defiant toddler will take pity on us if we seem like total incompetents," says Harvey Karp, M.D., author of the DVD and book The Happiest Toddler on the Block. The trick is to convince your child that you should be helped, not resisted:

Be forgetful. If she's refusing to put away her toys, pick up a few and put them not in the toy box but in some other unexpected place, like the bathtub or a kitchen cabinet. When your child balks (she knows where things belong, even as young as 2), say innocently, "What? I'm putting your toys in your toy box!" She'll likely take pity on you and help you put her stuff where it really belongs.

Be wrong. Next time you foresee a battle getting your toddler in the stroller, try squeezing into it yourself. Chances are good she'll announce, "That's mine!" Finally her possessive streak is good for something.

Be incompetent. Put your coat on backward and place your shoes on your hands. Say, "I'm ready to go, are you?" She'll laugh, straighten you out, and get her own shoes on for once.

Don't worry: Your child won't really think you're a boob, says Dr. Karp. This is just a fun tactic, like playing hide-and-seek and pretending you can't find her.

Become a silver-lining expert

Want to avoid disaster? Pretend everything's great. Your attitude, and the way you handle disappointments (big and small), can greatly affect how your child learns to do the same.

Use positive language. The right words can lessen the blow of letdowns and make mundane tasks seem interesting and fun. For instance, the day 3-year-old Josh Boswell had been looking forward to going to the playground, it rained. Rather than let him sulk and stomp angrily around the house, his mom, Sue, of Pepperell, Massachusetts, said, "This rain is wonderful! Now we get a chance to have that indoor picnic I've been planning for you." Josh was intrigued — an indoor picnic sounded at least as much fun as going to the playground. "Turning disappointment into delight is part of the magic of being a parent," says his mom. "The silver lining is almost always there. You just have to learn to point it out."

Teach your child to look on the bright side himself. If things don't go right (the cupcakes fell on the floor or his best friend isn't at preschool that day), ask him to think up something good about the bad situation. He might say he's looking forward to using a different icing color or that now he can draw a "get well soon" picture for his pal (you might need to coach him at first). Play this game often and your child will automatically learn to look for the silver lining.

Try reverse psychology

You say "yes," she says "no!" You say "no," she says "yes!" This verbal tug-of-war is frustrating, but actually it's a healthy declaration of her growing independence.

There's even an official name for this stage. "When your child doesn't want to wear certain clothes or taste new foods, it's called 'the oppositionalism of toddlerhood,'" says Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., author of The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting.

The solution? If you want your child to do something, like put on her socks, pretend you don't want her to do it.

One strategy I used to get my daughter, Kaylin, then 2, to try new foods was to deny her first few requests for them. At dinner I'd put two foods on her plate and four foods on the grown-up plates. She'd stare longingly at our full plates and say, "Me want that!" I'd reply, "Sorry, pumpkin. These foods are for grown-ups." She'd keep asking, and as she started to get frustrated, I'd ask, "Do you really think you're old enough?" She'd shout, "Yes!" and scoot over, holding out her plate. She couldn't eat her broccoli fast enough.

And when I want Kevin, now 3, to get ready quickly, I pretend I'm in a big rush. "Me come, too?" he'll ask. "No, honey, Mommy's in a hurry today. Why don't you stay here with Daddy instead?" My son, who always prefers an adventure to staying home, will dash off to the closet to get his shoes and jacket. When he returns, I say, "I'm not sure you can get ready in time to come with me." That gets him to start hurriedly shoving his little arms into his jacket sleeves — and then I say, "Wow, you really can get ready quickly!" He beams with pride and allows me to finish zipping him up in record time. Say goodbye to the old capture-Kevin-and-yank-his-clothes-on-while-pinning-him-to-the-floor maneuver.

Reverse psychology works by using your toddler's natural desire for independence (also known as defiance) to get what you both want. Just be sure to use it in a playful way — and not so often that he gets wise to you!

Say, "Yes, but..."

Amanda Paolucci of Newington, Connecticut, loved playing outside when she was a toddler. She'd press her nose against the screen door and plead to go out. "She'd throw a colossal fit if I refused to let her," says her mom, Julie. But once Paolucci learned the "Yes, but…" trick, Amanda's tantrums subsided. Instead of saying no all the time, Paolucci now says, "Yes, Amanda, you may go outside, but after dinner." Or "Yes, you may ride your big wheel, but we need to wait for the rain to stop." Toddlers are a lot more cooperative if they just know when they can do whatever it is they want.

The younger your child, the less patience she'll have to wait. So sidetrack her opposition by offering up another activity with your "Yes, but." You could say, "Yes, you may have a cookie, but first we're going to make dinner together," or "Yes, we can watch Dora, as soon as we've picked up your toys." She'll fight a "no" — a "yes, but" is harder to resist.

Stay a step ahead

Although most toddler battles are caused by hunger, fatigue, or frustration, it's easier to recognize those things after a tantrum starts — and after a few slices of apple would have saved the day. So staying a step ahead of your child is not a quick solution so much as a smart way of thinking. It comes down to consistent routines and reasonable expectations, so you don't have to be a toddler mind reader. Keeping your child on an even keel can be relatively simple: Try to make his basic needs — food, sleep — a priority, and not something you squeeze into a busy day.

• Put him down for a nap before he seems super tired.

• Feed him several small meals to keep his blood sugar (and mood) level.

• Give him plenty of encouragement — he'll be less inclined to flip out when something goes wrong or he doesn't get his way.

But also think twice before you make life unnecessarily hard on him. If you're thinking of braving the mall with a tired child — don't. The notion "maybe I can just squeeze in one more errand" has been the downfall of many otherwise rational moms. Some of my finest parenting moments (and by finest I mean horrifying and humiliating) have had me half-dragging, half-wrestling my thrashing, wailing, screeching toddler out of Wal-Mart. After public tantrum #36, I finally caught on to the idea of setting limits — for me. I now limit toddler-accompanied outings to less than two hours.

Of course, if you have a toddler, you've already learned that life rarely goes as planned. So, here's one last trick to try on yourself: Act like you know what to do — and soon enough, you will!