Better Parents Better Kids Monthly Newsletter Issue #6

Hi it’s Melody Chase.

For our March Newsletter Issue we have an update from Tanis about how Cameron is doing for you to check-out after our Lesson #5 on Bodytypes as part of our 7 part “Understanding Your Child’s Differences” Series.

Lesson #5 Bodytypes

Welcome to Lesson #5 of our 7 Part Series on “Understanding Your Child's Differences.”
Today’s Lesson is about differences in regards to Bodytypes.

The following is an excerpt (that has been shortened a bit for easier reading) from our Better Parents, Better Kids Parenting Program E-book (http://www.betterparentsbetterkids.com/info.com )

Bodytypes - Pittas and Vatas and Kalphas

Another area of difference that has an effect on understanding differences is what we call bodytypes. Different bodytypes have an effect on what people want to do and even what occupations and how they live their life.

When parents don’t understand that different bodytypes have different needs and likes, they may force their children to do things that are physically uncomfortable for them and if their children resist or complain parents may just think their children are trying to be difficult, are being weak or they are just tired or cranky.

If children, as they grow up are continuously convinced that they should ignore how they are feeling, just buck up and do what everyone else is doing, they begin to doubt their feelings, make decisions and take career paths that are not in their highest and best interest. The stress on their bodies can also lead to future health problems.

So the following is an overview of three main bodytypes that we will be discussing and we will explain how they relate to children.

The following is an excerpt from the Book “Who am I?” Edited by Robert Frager, PhD (published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1994) is about the history and overview of the Ayurverdic Temperaments.

“The Ayurverdic Temperaments is the belief that all things in nature are composed of basic elements which is common in many civilizations. Before the development of modern chemistry and physics, early scientists and philosophers tried to order the universe according to basic, universal principles. In addition to the four elements of the Greeks (Fire, water, earth and Air), Indian philosophers postulated the fifth element of ether, an element even more insubstantial than the element of air.”

Indian Ayurverdic physicians developed three constitutional or body-mind types based on combinations of these elements. Vata is composed of air and ether, Pitta is fire and earth, and Kalpha is earth and water. The Vata type is active, enthusiastic and quick. The Pitta type is sharp, enterprising, and articulate. The Kalpha type is strong, steady, and tolerant.

Ayurverdic comes from two root words ayus or “life” and Veda or “Knowledge” or “science”. Ayurverdic, often translated as the “science of life” is over five thousand years old. For each type, there is an ideal diet, lifestyle and also herbal remedies designed to bring the system into harmony and balance”.

For more information read the book “Who AM I? Personality Types for Self-Discovery” Edited by Robert Frager, PhD. Chapter Six is Deepak Chopra’s full and fascinating explanation of the different body types.

The following is my own brief explanation of each of the three main bodytypes.

Pittas – The Tiger

People with the Pitta Bodytype, whose animal representative is a tiger, in appearance is similar to a Driver type personality and body type. Typically they are blocky and have little to none hip to chest ratio. Pittas love cool and dry environments; they just love to live in desert type locations like the mountains for example places like Calgary or Denver or even anywhere in the State of Alaska. Pittas are also the people who can handle cold the best, so a lot of Pittas are involved in winter sports or outdoor winter jobs or activities. They get hot very quickly, which makes them uncomfortable and many don’t like getting wet, just like a cat or tiger. Some Pittas also prefer cold over heat for injuries or if they are not feeling well. Personality wise, Pittas are bold, direct and more quick tempered that the other personality types.

Vatas – The Squirrels

People with the Vata Bodytype are just like the animal they represent - which is a squirrel. They are “Squirrelly”, are concerned about preparing for events and the future and are quick on their feet. Vatas are “stick shaped or similar to an ectomorph body type. They love warm and dry temperatures. Vata people are the people who if they are not in a warm and dry place will constantly be cold. This is that little female working at the McDonald’s drive-thru that looks like she’s going to turn into a human Popsicle at any moment. Vatas can handle warmer temperatures far easier than Pittas.

Kalphas – The Elephants

People with the Kalpha are similar to their animal representatives, the elephant. Kalphas are people who are larger boned and have larger hips. They have a watery and doughy feel and look to them. Even their eyes are watery and doughy. They are more laid-back and gentler than the other bodytypes. Kalpha Bodytype people absolutely love warm and wet environments, like baths or saunas or even tropical environments.

So you can see where potential problems can occur if parents are unaware of their children’s bodytype. If both parents have Pitta body types and their idea of the perfect vacation is a Winter Ski trip, and one of their kids happened to be a Vata, the Vata child is not going to be physically comfortable for the majority of trip. Then if their brother or sister is a Pitta like the parents, chances are the Vata child is going to get teased or picked on by them because the Vata is always cold and complaining.

Bodytypes can effect everyday life such as Tanis’s example of one of her children, Joey who has a Pitta bodytype. Joey used to constantly having trouble with feeling overheated and not liking the feel of his socks and clothes especially if the clothes were wool which traps in heat.

Tanis, (being a Vata bodytype) didn’t understand that her son would get hot a lot more quickly than her. Tanis used to think Joey was just being difficult so not only would she say she wasn’t happy with his behavior she would force him to wear the clothes and be uncomfortable.

Today, Tanis totally understands about differences, personalities and bodytypes, now she understands and supports her son’s need to be comfortable in his clothes and will allow him to keep changing until he is comfortable. She will create a supportive environment for him too, in order him to have the time to find what he needs.

Another example was when Dr. Robby (who is part Pitta Bodytype and part Vata Bodytype) was a child he couldn’t stand getting wet (outside of taking a bath or shower of course) and he would have to change immediately if he got his clothes wet (Even today we keep extra pairs of clean, dry socks in the car for Dr. Robby in preparation for any type of Winnipeg weather).

One winter day, when Dr. Robby was just a little guy at school, he got wet playing out at recess and he ran home to change instead of attempting to dry off at school. The school and his teacher thought that there maybe something wrong with him and trying to label him as having some sort of behavioral problem but his Mom knew him and started packing extra clothes and towels for him to keep at school.

Bodytypes again, of course can have future effects too, such as if a teen with a Kalpha Bodytype, who lives in Juno, Alaska with parents who are Pitta Bodytypes and the Kalpha teen wants to become a missionary in the warm and steamy Congo - the parents may think that she wouldn’t enjoy that kind of environment because they wouldn’t and try to discourage her from taking that kind of career path.

When your child is small, it may be hard to physically tell what your child’s bodytype is, so the important thing is to listen and be aware when your child is telling you he or she uncomfortable, too hot or too cold and then be supportive of what it is that he or she needs in order to be comfortable.

You can also explain to your child how everyone’s bodytypes are different, have different needs and ways on how everyone’s bodies are comfortable and it is o.k. for everyone to take care of themselves in order to be comfortable.

For Tanis’s children Joey and Cameron - they both know that their Mom Tanis is a Vata Bodytype who gets cold easily and that their Dad Jason is a Pitta Bodytype and he gets hot and perspires very quickly.

Joey and Cameron also observe how Tanis and Jason take care of their own comfort while respecting and supporting the comfort of each other as well.

If you have any questions about Bodytypes you can email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In our next newsletter we will be talking about children and different “Workstyles” or ways on how we all carry out our day on a regular basis.

What’s On Joey’s Mind?

It’s Melody again.

Joey was busy this month with school, so he will have his answer to our February Question “If there was on question he would like to ask a parent in regards to being a parent what would that be?” for our April Newsletter instead.

Ask Tanis

Hi It’s Melody once more…

We have an update about Cameron since last month when he came down with coup and what happened with his situation at school.

The following is an email Tanis sent to me after we had gone back and forth discussing the reasons behind Cameron’s coup and how the situation with his teacher may have caused him to feel smothered and rundown.

Tanis’s Email Response:

Thanks!

That would make perfect sense. He just has to put up with her (his teacher ) until the end of the year, but when he goes to school it seems to suck the life and motivation out of him... except if he has a substitute teacher.

That's great that your nephew found his “A” group, it makes such a huge difference.

I'm sure Cameron does feel under attack as he has pushed the teacher’s buttons a few times and now she is all over him. She even suggested he not go to Texas (on a family trip) because he is "academically behind". That really upset him.

Anyway, Jason and I scheduled a meeting with the teacher and the resource teacher and went thru everything.

It turns out he is not behind and the resource teacher said he feels Cameron is a very intelligent little boy.

I'm sure the teacher is not happy after I confronted her and the situation, but if I hadn't Cameron would be labeled by her.

Well, thanks again for the info I appreciate it.

Tanis

Since the email, Cameron has recovered from the coup and as we discussed in our last newsletter, sometimes certain personalities are just not going to get along such as in the case of Cameron and his teacher

Tanis took an assertive approach to the situation that worked to prevent Cameron from becoming labeled and prevented his self-esteem from getting battered any further.

Otherwise, Cameron with the help of Tanis is continuing to learn about what he can and cannot change at this point and time in his life and how to go along with the flow in regards to things he can’t change while maintaining his authenticity as best he can.

If you have any parenting questions for our “Ask Tanis” Column, feel free to contact Tanis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Don’t Forget to Visit the Forum!

Don’t forget to check-out our Better Parents Better Kids Parenting Forum at http://www.betterparentsbetterkids.com/forum/

We need YOU to get the Forum Rolling!

As well, don’t forget to check back for Lesson #6 of our “Understanding Your Child’s Differences” Series on Workstyles.

Until Next Time,

Melody Chase
Better Parents Better Kids Team
Website: http://www.betterparentsbetterkids.com
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