Two great kids who are great at taking their vitamins!
The Problem: Getting Kids to Take Vitamins
Many of you are on a mission to get healthier and that includes your family’s health, but alas, you are having trouble getting your kids to take vitamins that you know will improve their health. Your problem could be the result of the kid never having been made to take vitamins before and they simply don’t want to. Or, it could be that they have been taking an inferior vitamin (possibly loaded with sugar and binders), and so they don’t like the flavor of the higher-quality, natural supplement you want them to switch to. (Beware of “gummy” vitamins.) Or, it could be that swallowing a pill (if they are old enough for that) isn’t their favorite thing to do, so it can even be challenging to get teens to take their vitamins. (Believe me, I know by experience.) Whatever your situation, I want to give you some tips on helping to accomplish your goal of getting kids to take vitamins and thus, improve their health during their youth.
Tips for Getting Kids to Take Vitamins:
#1: Use enthusiasm and positive persuasion to build up a happy anticipation of the new great vitamin. You can even try using a date in the future for further build up: “Next Sunday we are going to start your new, yummy vitamins! Aren’t you excited?” Or if there is a milestone soon, use that for leverage: “You’re going to start preschool next Wednesday. Oh boy! That is when you also get to start taking your big boy vitamins.”
#2: Prepare beforehand to give the new taste the best chance of being accepted (especially if he has been used to a sweet, gummy, poor-quality vitamin). Be sure he has nothing sweet to eat or drink before taking the vitamin. Clearing the tastebuds with milk is an option. Follow the new vitamin with a desirable “chaser” like a good tasting fruit juice, so that they associate the vitamin with the juice.
#3: Try giving a half portion to start with and build up to more. You can crush vitamins too and mix them into some food like applesauce. But don’t spread them out in a full portion as that might accomplish the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish with getting kids to take vitamins. They might end up hating vitamins AND applesauce. (Remember that nutritional supplements should always be taken with food, not on an empty stomach.)
#4: Talk to them at their age-level about how these vitamins are going to help them build up strong and healthy bodies so they don’t get sick as much. Appealing to their reasoning is something you should be doing about most everything that you are teaching them, not just about getting kids to take vitamins.
#5: If all else fails, try the reward system (okay, otherwise known as bribery). To be able to enjoy dessert or whatever, they need to take their vitamin.
My Favorite Tip for Getting Kids to Take Vitamins:
#6: Reinforce their success by telling someone else while in the child’s prescence, of their great ability to take their vitamins. For instance, while talking to Grandma on the phone, you can say, “Guess what? Tyler is doing such a great job taking his vitamins now. I think he is really maturing and I am so proud of him.” (This works for other behaviors you want to reinforce too, not just getting kids to take vitamins.)
Several health issues came up for my two kids who are still at home which put me on a quest to help boost their health naturally. I found out that ADHD can be helped by nutritional supplements and I discovered that it really worked! But I had to work at getting my kids to take vitamins willingly and consistently. Since they are both teenagers, appealing to their reasoning has worked the best. I would be so appreciative if you leave a comment and post on your favorite social networks if this was helpful in regards to getting kids to take vitamins.
Remember that this post is not meant to treat, cure, or diagnose any illness and is the opinion of the author (me!) Check with your health professional for more tips on getting kids to take vitamins.
Tips to get kids to take their vitamins (applicable to other desired behaviors too) http://bit.ly/cY6PrX
[Reply]
RT @amyhagerup Tips to get kids to take their vitamins (applicable to other desired behaviors too) http://bit.ly/cY6PrX
[Reply]
6 tips to help u get kids to take their vitamins http://bit.ly/cY6PrX
[Reply]
This is such a great article. I am the Director of Social Media for BABYssentials.com and I am going to link this to our fan page! My kids actually love their vitamins, I am lucky!
[Reply]
amyhagerup Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
HI Tina, Thanks for stopping by and also for syndicating my post! I really appreciate it so much. So glad your kids love their vitamins too. I can tell by your site that you are a great mom. Blessings, Amy
[Reply]
Great tips on getting kids to take vitamins: http://bit.ly/dCJANx
[Reply]
Great tips on getting kids to take vitamins: http://bit.ly/dCJANx
[Reply]
Hi Amy!
Great tips here! Been poking around your blog a bit and looks like you have some great info to offer. I’m looking forward to following you!
.-= Jess Webb´s last blog ..How Easy are You to Connect With =-.
[Reply]
amyhagerup Reply:
August 5th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Thanks, Jess. The feeling is mutual! I just read your 7 habits report and recommend it highly. I was glad it was printed instead of a video because I was able to print it out and read it while on the treadmill. Look forward to knowing you better too. Blessings, Amy
[Reply]
Great post and great approach. Thanks for these tips. I thought that many of them could be used to work with kids and get them to do other things that are good for them as well. I really appreciated your advice in tip #4. Sometime it really is all about reasoning with kids and explaining to them the rationale behind your recommendation. I think often times we assume that kids will not be able to reason and reach the right conclusion, but when we take our time and speak to them rationally, they really can surprise us. Thanks again for the great list.
[Reply]
amyhagerup Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Hi Sibyl, Thanks for commenting. Yes, you are so right about some of these tips applying to other behaviors we want to develop in our kids. I actually have used number 6 a lot to help build up a child’s self-esteem without overuse of telling them directly “you are good at that.” I think a compliment to a third party is much more effective too. How many kids do you have? Blessings, Amy
[Reply]
Pingback: amyhagerup.com » Blog Archive » Can ADHD Be Helped by Nutritional Supplements?
Thanks, thats quite useful to know! I must admit I’m a bit useless in the kitchen, but I’m trying my best to learn. Admitting iis the first step right!? I promised to cook a whole meal for my wife this weekend for the first time – very exciting! I found some really simple recipe at this website, seems to be designed exactly for people like me, which is great! Anyway, thanks, I’ll be sure to bookmark this site to read more.
[Reply]
amyhagerup Reply:
December 5th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Thanks for commenting, Jonah. I hope your meal this weekend is great.
[Reply]
6 tips to get kids to take their good vitamins:
http://ping.fm/9mmpB
[Reply]
Insights u will like: Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/RMT0WW #health
[Reply]
Insights u will like: Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Qg78UE #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
RT @amyhagerup: Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Hi Amy,
This was good as my 4 year old doesn’t always like to take his. I love the powder because I can mix it in his juice and he doesn’t even notice. I will be doing the same for the baby as soon as he hits 6 months.
[Reply]
amyhagerup Reply:
August 5th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Good for you, Amy, for sticking with the good ones. I’m glad the powder is working and I hope he will soon take the Incredivites with pride so he can be a “super-hero.” I love how proactive you are for your family’s health. Blessings, the other Amy
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://is.gd/Bfqm7t #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/aqas5YQ #health
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]
Getting Kids to Take Vitamins: Six Tips http://t.co/qXL3VTOg
[Reply]