In Ayurveda, stubbornness and tantrums are signs of increased Rajas (Hyperactivity/Passion) and aggravated Vata (Restlessness) in the mind. The fact that this happens during transitions (like bedtime) confirms that his nervous system is struggling to switch off or settle down.
Medicines (Safe for Children) 1 Brahmi Ghrita: ½ teaspoon followed by warm water/milk in the morning on an empty stomach. 2 Saraswatarishta: 1 teaspoon (5ml) mixed with equal water, twice daily (after food).
External Therapy Padabhyanga (Foot Massage)- Rub Warm Sesame Oil or Ksheerabala Oil on the soles of his feet for 5 minutes right before bedtime.
Dietary & Lifestyle Rules The No-Sugar Sunset Rule: Strictly no chocolates, biscuits or sugary juices after 6:00 PM. Stop all screens (TV, Phone) 2 hours before bed. Keep dinner and bedtime at the exact same time every day
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
Why children show tantrums & stubborn behavior Common reasons: Unable to express emotions (especially in small children) Seeking attention or control Over-tired, hungry, or overstimulated Inconsistent rules (sometimes allowed, sometimes scolded) Imitating adults’ behavior Developmental phase (especially age 2–6 years) 👉 Tantrums are the child’s way of saying: “I don’t know how to handle my feelings.” What NOT to do (very important) ❌ Shouting or hitting ❌ Giving in immediately to stop crying ❌ Comparing with other children ❌ Long lectures during tantrums These increase stubbornness over time. Effective solutions (step by step) 1. Stay calm first Speak slowly and softly If you lose control, the child feels unsafe Remember: calm parent = calm child 2. Set clear & consistent rules Same rule every day Both parents should follow one pattern Example: “Screen time only after homework—no exceptions” Consistency reduces tantrums. 3. Give limited choices (very powerful technique) Instead of: “Wear this dress!” Say: “Do you want the blue dress or the yellow one?” Child feels control without rebellion. 4. Ignore minor tantrums safely If child is safe and just crying for attention: Don’t react immediately Stay nearby but don’t negotiate Once calm → talk gently ⚠️ Never ignore if the child is hurting self or others. 5. Name their feelings Teach emotional language: “I see you are angry because you wanted that toy.” This helps the child feel understood, reducing intensity. 6. Praise good behavior immediately Even small things: “I’m proud of you for listening.” “Good job calming yourself.” Positive reinforcement works better than punishment. 7. Fixed daily routine Children feel secure with routine: Fixed sleep time Fixed meals Limited screen time Daily outdoor play 👉 Irregular routine = more tantrums 8. Quality time daily (15–20 minutes) No phone No teaching or scolding Just play or talk This reduces attention-seeking tantrums greatly.
Hello It’s super tough when your kid goes through that stubborn phase, not listening and throwing tantrums all the time – especially for months on end. But seriously, don’t sweat it. This happens to so many parents, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing a bad job or that your kid’s a problem. We can totally fix this with the right steps.
YOUR KID, RIGHT NOW
* Stubborn for the last 3-6 months. * Tantrums often happen when you’re trying to switch things up (bedtime, stopping play, changing activities). * You’re staying calm, which is awesome!
WHY THIS IS HAPPENING
From a kid’s development point of view: This usually kicks in when: * Kids start wanting to do things their way. * They want to be in charge but don’t know how to handle big feelings yet. * Their brains can’t quite deal with feeling frustrated. * Tantrums are often just a kid’s way of saying: I don’t know how to say what I’m feeling!
From an Ayurvedic point of view:
Kids like this often have: –A Vata imbalance (makes them restless, suddenly angry, a bit all over the place). –Sometimes a Pitta imbalance (makes them cranky, stubborn). –No regular schedule (which makes everything worse). –this also has to do with their mind channels being out of whack.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO (Step-by-Step)
1. GET A ROUTINE GOING (SERIOUSLY, THIS IS #1) Kids do best when they know what’s coming. Have set times for: * Waking up * Meals * Playtime * Sleep * Bedtime needs to be the same every day. * Once the routine’s solid, the tantrums will naturally go down.
2. BE SMART ABOUT SWITCHING ACTIVITIES (This is key for your situation)
Since tantrums happen during changes:
* Don't just suddenly pull the plug on an activity.
* Give them warnings: Five more minutes, then it's bedtime. After this song, we're done playing.
* You can also use: A timer, a little song, or a small routine (like a story before bed).
3. DO NOT FIGHT DURING A TANTRUM When a tantrum starts: * Stay calm (you’re already doing great here). * Don’t lecture them. * Don’t threaten them. * Don’t give in right away. * Instead: Sit close by and say, I know you’re upset. I’m right here. * Talk about it AFTER the tantrum ends. You can teach them once they’re calm, not when they’re melting down.
4. LET THEM HAVE SOME SAY (in safe ways) Help with the stubbornness by giving them choices: * Instead of: Wear this dress. * Try: Red dress or blue dress? * This lets them feel in control without making a mess.
AYURVEDIC TIPS (Super gentle and safe)
Oil Massage (Works like a charm!) * Daily head and foot massage. * Use warm Brahmi oil or coconut oil. * Especially good before bed. * It calms their nerves and helps with crankiness and tantrums.
Food Ideas * Warm, home-cooked food. * Stay away from: Too much sugar, packaged snacks, cold drinks. * Bring in more: Milk, ghee, fruits, simple meals.
WHAT TO AVOID * Yelling or calling them names (stubborn, bad). * Comparing them to other kids. * Having rules that keep changing. * Too much screen time (huge tantrum trigger!).
–Your child isn’t just stubborn. –This phase won’t last forever. –Being calm, consistent, and having a routine is the fix. –Ayurveda is all about calming the mind, not just stopping bad behavior.
You’re doing an amazing job as parents!
All the best, Dr. Snehal Vidhate
1.Brahmi ghrita 1/4 tsp with warm milk at bedtime 2.Saraswatrishta 5 ml with 5 ml water twice daily after meals 3.Manasmithra vatkam 1 tab once daily with water after meals
🧘 Supportive Non-Medicine Measures - Bedtime routine: Gentle oil massage (Bala Taila or sesame oil) before sleep calms vata and helps transitions. - Diet: Avoid excess sugar, fried foods, and packaged snacks. Favor warm, fresh meals with ghee. - Mind-calming practices: Storytelling, chanting simple mantras (like Om or Gayatri), or listening to soft music before bed. - Play therapy: Encourage outdoor play in the morning sun to balance energy.
What you are saying in your child is very common, and it does not mean the child is bad or disobedient. When tantrums start for a few months, it usually shows emotional overload, mental restlessness and lack of emotional grounding. Children face, most difficulty during transitions like bedtime because their mind remains active and they are unable to shift smoothly from one act to another even when parents speak calmly, repeated instructions can increase resistance because the child feels pressure instead of reassurance, this face needs calming of the mind and nervous system rather than strict control
Along with routine correction, Ayurvedic support will help, so you can start him on Saraswathi aristha 5ML with equal amount of water twice daily after lunch and dinner Brahmi syrup-5ML once daily at night Ashwagandhadi lehyam-1/4 th teaspoon at night
If sleep is disturbed, keep a fixed daily schedule for meals, play and sleep advance signals before transitions, reduce screen time, especially in the evening and spend 1 to 1 time daily when the child feels emotionally secure and supported with this combined approach, tantrums gradually reduced, and the child becomes more cooperative and balanced
Hello
This is a common problem seen in many children due to over pampering and also exposure to shows on the mobile and TV which appreciate this behaviour.
It is very important as parents that you need to be strict even if it hurts you down. One’s your child understands you are not accepting his tantrums he will surely slow down.
Along with being strict you also need to appreciate at times so that he doesn’t feel left out.
🧘♀️ Anulomvilom and Bhramari Pranayam will help.
❌ Donot drink tea or coffee or aerated drinks.
❌ Reduce screen time… No screen in darkness and 1 hour before you sleep. Consume audio form of data rather than visuals before you sleep. Filter the content of data consumed.
✔️ Drink a glass of buffalo milk daily before you sleep
✔️ 100 steps after both meals are must.
✔️ Eat only home cooked food… Avoid outside food, packed and processed food.
✔️ Prefer natural liquids like fruit juice, coconut water, lemon juice, kokum sharbat over packed ones.
💊 Medication: 💊
Panchendriya Vardhan Tailam 2 drops in each nostril early in the morning empty stomach.
Cap. Memorin(S.G.Phytopharma) 1 caps twice a day before food. If he cannot eat the capsule open it and mix the churna with a bit of honey.
Syp. Prasham 2 tsp at bed time with lukewarm water. Tab. Manasmitra Vatak 1 tab at bed time.
Bhrami oil head massage will help calming him down.
Parents need a lot of patience and calmness to be arround such children., Start with Mentat syrup 1tsp -1tsp -1tsp. After food with water, will help calm the child Brahmi churan 1/2tsp. With cow’s ghee, once daily will work as brain tonic Ashwagandha churan 0-0-1/2tsp with milk at bedtime with, will help give good sleep All these above medicine will reduce the child’s irritation and calm down. Apply Brahmi oil on scalp . Avoid nonveg food if non-vegetarian as nonveg food is very tamasic. The child should be told encouraging stories, courageous stories tha can improve self confidence and lift spirit.
HELLO,
In Ayurveda, mental and behavioural patterns are governed by vata, pitta and Kapha doshas, along with satva (mental strength)
MOST COMMON CAUSES -VATA IMBALANCE-> restlessness, mood swings, sudden crying, difficulty with transitions (sleep, change of routine)
-PITTA IMBALANCE->anger, stubbornness, frustration, shouting, resistance
-WEAK SATVA GUNA->low emotional regulation, poor tolerance too stress
Since tantrums occur durin traditions (like bedtime), this strongly indicates vata aggravation, sometimes mixed with pitta
DIET MANAGEMENT Diet plays a major role In calming the child’s mind
INCLUDE -warm, freshly cooked food -rice, wheat, oats -moong dal, massor dal -milk- warm boiled with a pinch of turmeric -ghee 1-2 tsp daily -steamed vegetables- carrot, pumpkin, bottle gourd -ripe banana, apple (stewed if possible)
AVOID -packaged snacks, chips, chocolates -cold fooods, ice cream, -very spicy, sour, fried food -sugary drinks -eating late at night
IMPORTANT= maintain fixed meal times. Irregular eating worsens vata and tantrums
DAILY ROUTINE- MOST IMPORTANT Children need predictability
IDEAL ROUTINE -wake up at the same time daily -fixed play, study, and sleep times -bedtime ideally before 9 pm
TRANSITION TIP (very useful for tantrums) before any transition (bedtime, stopping play) -give.a 5 min and 2 min warning -use calm voice, not commands -Example= After 5 minutes, we will go to bed. Let’s finish peacefully
This greatly reduce vata triggered resistance
OIL MASSAGE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Daily oil massage calms the nervous system
OIL -Sesame oil (best for vata) -If pitta signs (anger, heat)-> coconut oil
METHOD -warm the oil slightly -massage gently on= scalp , soles of feet, back and joints
-Duration= 10-15 min -follow with warm bath Even foot massage alone at night can reduce bedtime tantrums
AYUREDIC REMEDIES
-BRAHMI GHRITA= 1/2 tsp with warm milk at night = improves emotional control
-SHANKHAPUSHPI SYRUP= 1/2 tsp twice daily =calms mind, reduces irritability
BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH AS PER AYURVEDA
WHAT TO DO -stay calm and emotionally neutral -acknowedge feelings “I know you are upset” -Offer limited choices= “Do you want to sleep ow or after one stop?” -maintain consistency between parents
WHAT TO AVOID -shouting or threatening -giving in during tantrums excessive screen time (highly aggravates vata-pitta) -comparing with other children
MENTAL STRENGTH THERAPYY Ayurveda emphasises training the mind gently -dail stort telling with moral values -gentle breathing before sleep -listening to calm music or mantras -parents maintaining emotional balance (children absorb parents stress)
Your child is not “too stubborn”- his nervous system is asking for balance. With routine , warm food, oil massage, calm transitions, and gentle discipline, tantrums usually reduce within 2-4 weeks
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
