Tips on Parenting Young Children

Wednesday, April 26th 2006

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Tantrums

Tantrums aren't caused by bad parents or naughty children - they are part of growing up and learning how to manage the world. They are more likely when children are tired, hungry, bored or over-stimulated.

It's almost impossible to stop a tantrum once it gets underway. Just make sure your child is safe, stay nearby and carry on with other things. Don't try and talk to them, reason with them or discipline them. It's hard, but try not to pay attention to them.

When they calm down, comfort them, but don't give in to the demands they were making before the tantrum. Praise them for calming down.

Both parents need to be consistent. Talk about how you will both manage your children's behaviour.

Managing behaviour

Guidance, or discipline, works best in a warm loving relationship where your child feels secure. Children climb, taste, poke, jump, touch and ask a million questions to help them make sense of the world and to learn where their boundaries are.

Tell your child when they're doing well and they'll develop the self confidence to try new things. Praise them and they'll repeat the behaviour you like.

If something goes wrong, talk to them about what happened. They might need help to work things out. If they are very young and you can't have a chat, think about what happened - they may have been tired, hungry or frustrated and not be able to tell you.

If you ask them not to do something and they do it, follow through. This might mean saying sorry if they hit someone, not being able to play with a toy, or helping you to clean up if they make a mess.

Try to keep your sense of humour. Sometimes you have a split second to decide whether you're going to get really angry, or if you'll see the funny side. If they smear lipstick all over their face and you laugh, you can still ask them not to do it again and explain why.

If you're getting really angry, take a deep breath and walk away for a minute.

Source, North Shore Times, Thursday 23 March 2006

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following products are all useful for Children:

Colostrum Chewable
Coromega - Omega 3 fish oil
Efalex
Efalex Liquid
Hi Strength Liquid Fish Oil
Floradix Formula 250ml
Kids Calm
Kindervital For Children
Liquid Calcium
Max - Out Chocolate
Mega Magnesium Powder
Vitamin B1
Vitamin & Mineral Boost Powder

Related health information can be found here:

Alfamax, a rich source of Vitamins and Minerals
Calcium Deficiency
Colostrum, a universal healer with immune boosting properties
Fish oils, garlic and antioxidants for the prevention & treatment of cardiovascular disease
Gluten Free Foods
Hyperactivity
Magnesium
Problems with memory or learning? Are you deficient in fatty acids vital for brain & eye function?
Protein - a macronutrient so often overlooked
Water, the elixir of life

Related articles can be found here:

Age at First Exposure to Cereal Linked to Risk of Diabetes

Fish oils for Dyslexia & ADHD

Iron Supplementation May Help Children With ADHD

Looking To The 50s For The Good Oil

Top Marks to Water-only School

Vitamin Lacking in 1 of 10 Toddlers

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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