When I was at the doctor with my 13 year-old a couple of weeks ago, he suggested I start her on a daily multi-vitamin. My daughter’s eyebrows went up. I forced a smile. “Okay” is what I heard myself say, but on the inside all I felt was “ugh.”
Vitamins and I go way back. And not in a good way. When I was six, my mother fed my brother and I these strange, round, white-coated vitamins that we had to swallow on a daily basis. I think I tried it once or twice…I was determined to never do it again. Upon my return from a weekend visitation with my dad, my mom told me a “funny” story. It seemed that she and my stepdad had a party while my brother and I were gone, and they had to pull the dining room table apart to insert the leaf. As they did, hundreds of those round white vitamins spilled onto the floor. My vitamins.
Fascinated by new research of what vitamins could do for our bodies (this was the 1970s), my mom wasn’t done with her experimenting. She tried giving us niacin tablets to take. I was seven. I’m gathering I didn’t really need niacin, as every time I was made to take it I felt a painful, prickly burning sensation from the inside out. It hurt so bad I cried. Eventually, she understood that maybe…probably…I shouldn’t take it.
In my teens, she gave me multi-vitamins and B-100 supplements to take. I gagged when I tried. (I’ve never done well trying to take horse pills.) I’m sorry to say I gradually resorted to lying when she asked if I’d taken them.
This may all seem like a form of torture (sure felt like it), but I know my mom meant well and just wanted us to be healthy.
I think having such bad experiences with vitamins myself is why I’ve never forced them on my kids. Nowadays, thankfully, vitamins come in various forms for young and old alike: liquid, chewable, lozenges, and yes, the good old-fashioned (why don’t they learn?) horse pills. If one kind doesn’t work for my kids, I can try another.
To finish my story, I bought a small bottle of multi-vitamins for my daughter. Small bottle=small vitamins, right? Not so. They were huge! She tried to take one and had trouble getting it down. I assured her she didn’t have to finish them and that they’d be going back to the store.
That same day, I bought multi-vitamins for my three year-old. They were gummy bears! When I tried one, I was pleased to learn they didn’t taste like vitamins, and she didn’t seem to mind them either. Why didn’t they have those when I was little?
For my 13 year-old, I will probably try liquid vitamins. They’re a little more expensive, but painless to take when mixed with a glass of juice.
If you’re looking for a good vitamin for your youngins, here are some of my recommendations. (And you can get them by mail-order — that’s a big stress-buster right there!)
Rhino Gummy Bear Vitamins, 190-Count Bottle
These are the exact gummy vitamins I bought for my three year-old. They’re definitely tasty…I have to use real self-discipline to not take them myself (be sure to store them up high and out of the reach of your young ones).
Nature’s Plus - Animal Parade - Cherry/Orange/Grape, 180 Chewable Tablets
Available in cherry, orange, or grape flavors (or all three together), these are ideal for the child who isn’t ready to swallow vitamins but also may not like the gummy bear kind. Highly recommended by many parents. Doesn’t contain yeast, soy, milk, wheat, corn, or artificial colors or preservatives. Score!
Childlife Multi Vitamin & Mineral Liquid 8 oz.
This liquid vitamin supplement is ideal for infants and young children. Liquid vitamins are absorbed faster and more completely than regular vitamins, and are ideal for sensitive tummies. Child Life Vitamin and Mineral Liquid is gluten and dairy free.
Next time: Supplements to help your body fight stress (no horse pills, I promise).
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Did you know that it’s not unusual for boys to begin reading at a later age than girls? It doesn’t happen 100% of the time, but can be a source of concern if you find your son struggling in reading. 
