I hate going to the doctor. As a child I remember asking my Mom "if I had to get a shot" each time I had an appointment. Anxiety can start so young, and I am a worrier by nature... Anyway, Katie has a shot appointment tomorrow. I am DREADING this. I feel like I am dragging her into the lion's den. Just call me Brutus. I know shots are a good thing, but they don't feel like it when you are a child. So, my question is- "Do I tell my sweetie what she is in for??" What do you do when shots are involved? **UPDATE** Thank you, thank you, thank you my dear friends, for your advice, stories and encouragement! Katie was amazing! I chose not to tell her and she was such a trooper. A few silent tears fell, but she got through it and the nurse said she was one of the best patients she had ever had.:) They wanted to do a finger stick (after 4 shots!) for anemia and a flu shot, too, but I told them no way! Well do the finger stick another time... When we checked out, the lady at the front desk gave Katie a goody bag full of candy, jewels and a book. So sweet. Then we went to the toy store and Starbucks.
21 comments:
oooh, I hear you..... I had bad asthma when I was a kid.... so had to get allergy shots ONCE a week... after awhile it didn't bother me.... but I can remember being fearful the first few times..... whatever you decide... give her lots of hugs after :)
The last time we went in, The Bear got 4 shots O_o I think you probably could tell her, but I'd definitely give her some advil, too and promises of a treat afterwards :)
I can't tell mine or she would have a ridiculous crying fit even trying to get her in the door to the Dr. It is payback to me.....my mom said I acted the same way.
We've done it both ways, and both are dreadful at our house! I agree, though, that the promise of a special treat does help. Or at least it did with one of ours. My solution is: my husband goes for the shots, and I stay home. Classic avoidance.
Better to tell, just maybe distract her right before it happens.
I have a funny story about shots to tell you.....Jackson went in for his Flu shot and baby girl went too. He was so worked up that he started shaking and getting a little upset (he's 6 1/2 and full of drama. overprotective me caused it!) Anyway right as it was about to happen and he is howling quite loudly, it's over and done with. Well Jillian was up next and he thought she'd be hollering louder than him and wanted to hold her. She didn't flinch, but let out a little hmmmfff and Jackson's was floored! He then immediately came to the conclusion that it hurt him more due to his "bony arm" and she didn't feel a thing because she has "meaty thighs"!! The nurse and I could barely contain the laughs!
Anyway, she's getting 4 shots tomorrow for her well baby checkup.
Have a great night :)
Denise
My husband was supposed to come with us, but now he has a meeting!:( I will be the bad guy all by myself. I better think of a fun treat for afterward... Thanks so much for sharing your stories and advice everyone! Denise- I will be thinking of you and your little sweetie going through the same thing tomorrow... Lori
That's a hard one..I remember being like 9 and having to go to the dr. and get a shot..my mom didn't tell me...I cried so much at the appt. before the shot..that when it actually came..I had no tears left.
Ice cream makes it all better!
My son Ty hated shots so we did not tell him or he would have started crying (Yelling) before we left the house and not stopped till it was over. Most the time he was so busy crying he didn't even feel the shot!
Ronnie on the other hand never had a problem getting shots at all.
Timothy would giggle while getting his shots...
Every kid is so different.
How did Katie act the last time she got her shots?
I think you both deserve a treat afterwards! :) Or maybe go Christmas shopping for a special ornament-Something to get her mind set to looking forward to getting the shot over with and having some fun. Later on in life you can show/give her the ornament and tell her the "shot story"
:)
David has an appoinment in Jan. that's going to involve lots of shots....I'm so dreading it. I try not to tell them before hand, if I can. I do get them a candy bar or ice cream to help them feel better
Oh ....that is hard! I do not tell..I act as surprised as she does when the nurse says it's time for shots!
-sandy toes
Hi Lori
I expect Katie has already had her shot by the time you read this. I hope it went ok and she wasn't too upset. As soon as Jessica was old enough to understand I told her the truth about where we were going. I said it would not hurt too much and then promised her a special treat afterwards. It's really hard especially as your husband can't support you in this.
I am thinking of you today.
Lindsay
I always tell them what to expect... my daughter usually does her crying BEFORE the shot in anticipation and my son puts on his tough face and doesn't make a peep.
Happy birthday Mandy! Hang in there Katie!
I would tell them and bribe them with something....they would act all confiednt making sure that they were going to get what I told them I would give them...and we would get to the office and I would hear "Never mind, I don't want it..lets leave now..I don't want a treat ever again, lets go."
Be Honest! And make it a positive experience too! Maybe go out for an Ice Cream or Starbucks hot cocoa. Or if she likes to craft... give her a coupon good for a good kit or supplies redeemable after the shots. *winks*
I did that with my daughter when we did shots. I took her out for Ice Cream. (She didn't craft at the time) and it helped! By the time she finished her Ice Cream- she forgot all about the shots.
That way she will remember and pass on the 'tradition'. Good Luck!
If you have anxiety- she will sense that and associate that as negative. I know shots aren't fun, but necessary for good health! Be strong- be bold- for the Lord your God is with you *winks*
~A~
So glad things went well for both of you. Blessings, Karen
I'm so glad you posted an update...I've been thinking about her all day long!!!!!!!!
So glad to hear it went well-She is such a trooper!
You are a great mommy~♥
I came back by to ask you how Katie did and I'm so glad you gave us an update! YAY for you Katie....you go girl!!!!!
I'm sorry I missed your post yesterday. Here they have a little pad with plastic prickley things that poke out. When they give the shot, they press it in at the same time and the kids don't feel the shots...at least that is what the kids say. I'm glad it went well. Curly Girl is due in 2 weeks for her tetanus booster...yuck.
OMGoodness...Lexi has to get her shots and it suppose to be 5 from what I was told. I hate they have to get so many...but that's life...I have no intentions of telling her...I don't even want to take her cause I hate shots to.
Glad Katie did good!
Checking in to see how everything went! Yayyy!
Way to go Katie! I'm glad you both are okay and everything went well! Woohoo!!! And you went to Starbucks! Woohoo!
Hugs! See it's not that bad. I think it's more nerve wracking for us Mom's. But in the LONG run- it's best! You both did great! *pats you both on the back*
~A~
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