I Spent $950 Trying to Fix My Son’s Behavior.
Written by Susan Pelan · August 7, 2026 · 9:42 AM
I was looking in the wrong place.
Books. Online parenting courses. Reward charts. Gentle parenting. Sleep routines.
I kept trying to become a "better parent" because my 4-year-old could turn the smallest disappointment into a 40-minute meltdown.
Then someone asked me one question none of those parenting courses had ever asked:
"Have you looked at his gut?"
That changed everything about how I approached the problem.
- 11-herb liquid formula
- Tasteless in water
- Takes seconds each morning
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I THOUGHT I WAS THE PROBLEM
My name is Susan Pelan. I’m 34 and I have two children.
For over a year, I genuinely believed my son’s behavior meant I was failing him.
The wrong cup? Meltdown.
His toast cut differently? Meltdown.
Time to leave the playground? Screaming all the way back to the car.
His pasta touched the sauce? Dinner was over.
Sometimes these episodes lasted 30, 40, even 45 minutes. Eventually, our entire family started adapting around them.
I kept backup cups. I avoided restaurants. I planned errands around his mood. I knew which situations were most likely to trigger him and did everything possible to avoid them.
And every time another meltdown happened, I heard another piece of advice:
"Validate his feelings."
"Give him choices."
"Hold the boundary."
"Stay calm so he can stay calm."
So I became obsessed with getting it right.
I SPENT ALMOST $1,000 TRYING TO BECOME A BETTER PARENT
I bought the books. Then more books. Online courses. Behavior guides. Sleep programs. Reward charts.
I watched parenting videos late at night after both children were finally asleep. I highlighted pages. Made notes.
Changed routines. Reduced sugar. Tried earlier bedtimes. Tried later bedtimes. Tried being softer. Tried being firmer.
Altogether, I calculated that I had spent roughly $950.
But the money wasn’t the worst part.
The worst part was what every failed solution did to my confidence. Because when another expert method failed, the conclusion in my head was always:
"Then it must be me."
THEN SOMEONE ASKED ABOUT THE OTHER SIGNS
One afternoon, I was describing another terrible week to a practitioner friend.
I mentioned the tantrums. Then almost casually mentioned some other things.
He woke during the night.
His food preferences had become extremely narrow.
He mostly wanted plain pasta, bread and crackers.
Some mornings he had dark circles under his eyes.
He often seemed restless even when he was exhausted.
She stopped me. "Susan, why are you treating all of this as separate problems?"
I didn’t understand.
Then she asked: "Have you looked at his gut?"
Honestly, I thought she was changing the subject. He wasn’t constantly complaining about his stomach. His behavior was what was destroying our days. But that conversation introduced me to something I had barely considered:
THE GUT AND NERVOUS SYSTEM ARE CONSTANTLY COMMUNICATING
Young children also come into contact with an unbelievable amount of stuff every day. Daycare toys. Playgrounds. Sandboxes. Pets. Shared bathrooms. Dirty hands that somehow end up directly in their mouths five seconds later.
And there are many reasons a child’s gut can become irritated or imbalanced. In some situations, parasites such as pinworms can also affect children, which is why persistent symptoms should always be discussed with a pediatric healthcare professional.
What finally clicked for me was simpler:
Maybe I had spent a year focusing entirely on the behavior while ignoring the rest of his body.
I had become really good at asking: "How should I respond when he explodes?"
I had never asked: "Why does his system seem so easy to overwhelm?"
That was the missing piece for me.
THAT WAS WHEN I STOPPED BUYING ANOTHER PARENTING HACK
I still cared about parenting. Of course I did. But I stopped expecting another script, reward chart or bedtime trick to explain everything.
Instead, I started looking for a simple way to support his gut as part of his normal routine. And that was how I found: ZELO DETOX DROPS.
An easy 11-herb liquid formula that fit into the routine we already had.
ZELO combines botanicals including:
- Black Walnut: Traditionally used in herbal gut-focused formulas.
- Clove: A botanical commonly found in traditional digestive and herbal preparations.
- Wormwood: Traditionally used as a bitter botanical for digestive support.
- Dandelion & Fennel: Commonly used to support normal digestion and comfort.
Plus additional complementary herbs in one liquid formula.
THE PART THAT SOLD ME? HE DIDN’T HAVE TO KNOW I WAS GIVING IT TO HIM.
ZELO is tasteless. That meant:
- No pills.
- No gummies he refused.
- No powder changing the taste of his food.
- No chasing a four-year-old around the kitchen.
- No turning something that was supposed to help into yet another argument.
I simply added the drops to his water. Seconds later, the routine was done. That simplicity was exactly why ZELO stood out to me.
Why the liquid drops made sense for our family:
- No new battle: My son was already incredibly selective. The last thing I needed was another supplement he refused to take.
- It took seconds: I could add it to his water and move on with our morning.
- 11 botanicals in one formula: I didn’t have to create some complicated routine with a shelf full of different products.
- It was tasteless: That mattered enormously with a selective four-year-old.
- I could actually stay consistent: There was no daily negotiation. It simply became part of our routine.
THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUSLY SMALL
One morning, I accidentally handed him the wrong cup.
I noticed immediately. And my entire body tensed. Because I knew what normally happened next.
He looked at the cup. Looked at me. And asked for the other one.
That was it.
No entire morning destroyed. No huge battle. Just a normal little moment between me and my four-year-old.
I remember standing there thinking: Why does this tiny moment feel so enormous?
Because when every little disappointment has been capable of destroying your morning, ordinary moments start feeling extraordinary.
I had spent nearly $1,000 learning how to manage explosions. What I had really wanted all along was a calmer household.
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOUR HOUSE...
Maybe you recognize some of this.
- Your child seems to explode over tiny frustrations.
- Bedtime is exhausting.
- Sleep is broken.
- Food choices are becoming narrower and narrower.
- Your child seems permanently restless or irritable.
You have already tried every parenting trick you can find. And you’re starting to wonder whether you’re simply doing something wrong.
You’re not looking for another parenting lecture. You want something simple you can actually add to the routine you already have.
That’s exactly why ZELO stood out to me.
It was simple. Liquid. Tasteless. And I could add it to his water in seconds without creating another fight.
What Other Exhausted Parents Are Saying
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Finally, a calmer house.
My 5 year old was having meltdowns over literally everything. I read the story on this page and cried because it was exactly my life. Started putting Zelo in his apple juice every morning and she has no idea. mornings are actually peaceful now.
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So easy to give!
I was terrified to buy this because my son refuses ALL gummies and vitamins. But it truly is tasteless in his water. We are on week 3 and his sleep has completely turned around. I don't feel like a failing mom anymore.
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Wish I knew this sooner.
I spent a fortune on behavioral therapy books. The shift after supporting his gut health with these drops was unbelievable. No more screaming when it's time to leave the playground.
I WISH I HAD LOOKED AT THE BIGGER PICTURE BEFORE BUYING ANOTHER $100 PARENTING COURSE
I’m not throwing parenting advice away completely. Some of it made me more patient. Some of it helped me understand my son better.
But I stopped expecting another parenting technique to explain every single thing happening with him. For our family, looking beyond the tantrum itself was the shift I needed.
And ZELO gave me something completely different from another parenting course: A simple gut-support routine that took seconds each morning. No complicated system. No new battle. Just the recommended amount in his water, then we got on with our day.
If you’re where I was, exhausted, blaming yourself, and wondering what else you could possibly try, ZELO is what I would look at next.
Zelo Detox Drops™ - Natural Herbs Drops
Zelo Detox Drops™ - Natural Herbs Drops
✔ 11-Herb Gut Support for Calmer Behavior
✔ Digestive Support for More Peaceful Sleep
✔ Gut Support for Easier, Less Stressful Mealtimes
✔ Tasteless Drops for an Easy Daily Routine
✔ 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
LOW STOCK | SELL-OUT RISK: HIGH
Ingredients
Ingredients
Serving Size: 1 dropper (1 mL)
Servings Per Bottle: 30 (Approx)
Amount Per Serving:
Proprietary Blend: 1 mL †
Licorice Root Extract, Anise Seed Extract, Fennel Seed Extract, Thyme Leaf Extract, Whole Clove Extract, Aloe Vera, Oregano Leaf Extract, Black Walnut Hull Extract, Wormwood Herb Extract, Pau D’Arco Bark Extract, Pumpkin Seed Extract.
† Daily Value Not Established.
Other Ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water, Natural Raspberry Flavor, Bitter Blocker
Allergens: May contain Tree Nuts (Walnuts)
How to use
How to use
Add one full dropper (1 ml) once daily to a drink such as water or juice. Take daily for 30+ days for best results.
Shipping
Shipping
Ships Out: Within 1-2 Days
International Shipping: 6-10 Days
Shipping includes a tracking number and email updates for every delivery step.
60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
If after 60 days of use you aren't satisfied, contact us and we will refund your order!
TRY ZELO FOR 60 DAYS
You shouldn’t have to take another expensive gamble.
After spending almost $1,000 trying different approaches, the last thing I wanted was another product I could regret buying. Seeing that ZELO came with a 60-day money-back guarantee made the decision much easier for me.
You can try it according to the directions and decide whether it belongs in your family’s routine. If it isn’t right for you, contact ZELO’s support team within the guarantee period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ZELO taste like?
What does ZELO taste like?
ZELO is designed to be easy to mix into water without adding a strong taste.
How do I give it?
How do I give it?
Follow the serving directions shown on your ZELO bottle. It can be incorporated into a simple daily routine, such as mixing the recommended amount into water.
What age is ZELO intended for?
What age is ZELO intended for?
Use ZELO only according to the age guidance and directions on the current product label. If you’re unsure whether an herbal supplement is appropriate for your child, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Is ZELO medicine?
Is ZELO medicine?
No. ZELO is a botanical wellness supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Do tantrums mean my child has parasites?
Do tantrums mean my child has parasites?
No. Tantrums alone are not evidence of parasites. Behavioral, digestive and sleep symptoms can have many different causes. If you suspect a parasitic infection or another medical issue, consult a qualified pediatric healthcare professional.
Why liquid instead of pills or gummies?
Why liquid instead of pills or gummies?
For our family, the biggest advantage was simplicity. I didn’t have to convince my selective four-year-old to swallow another pill or chew another supplement.
What if ZELO isn’t right for us?
What if ZELO isn’t right for us?
Orders are backed by ZELO’s 60-day money-back guarantee.
I SPENT $950 LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER IN PARENTING BOOKS.
I wish I had looked at the bigger picture sooner.
If your days revolve around avoiding the next meltdown... If another parenting course sounds exhausting... If you keep wondering why every tiny frustration seems enormous to your child... This is what I would look at next.
ZELO takes seconds to incorporate into a daily routine, it’s tasteless in water, and every order is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
START YOUR ZELO ROUTINE TODAY
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