My sons aged 3 and 6 are due to have flu jabs next week ( They do need them as they are both asthmatic and prone to chest infections). Should I warn them in advance or just take them to the nurse without telling them ? Thanks in advance for your opinion.
2006-10-24 01:48:19 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Tell them. If you don't tell them, or lie then they will learn to fear the Dr. because they never know if they'll get a shot....so EVERY trip to the Dr. will be a struggle. Tell them just before you go and try stopping to get a special sucker (a big one). Let them know the shot will hurt, like a pinch, but not super bad and as soon as they have their shot they can have their sucker (I took the suckers into the Dr. office). Give them an example..."it will hurt less than when you fell and skinned your knee" Also, explain WHY they need the shot. Your kids will learn to trust you and the Dr.
2006-10-24 03:18:26 · answer #1 · answered by Kirsten I 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
New studies have proven that anticipation of pain is far worse than the pain itself for many people.
I wouldn't say anything, I'd just bring them in with a business as usual, it has to be done so get over it type of attitude.
Also, if you say anything at all now, they'll just be all worried and anxious for a week, which is usually followed by a load of whinning and moaning. Is that what you want to put up with for the next week or so?
2006-10-24 03:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by Manny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... My son is 4.5 and just had part one of his two part flu shot last week. Usually I just take him to the doctor and let them do the dirty work and tell him he is getting shots and afterwards he would say I "tricked him"... but I felt horrible.. so we started talking about it a week before it was time to go.. we explained to him why it was so important to get the shot, what the flu is, how people get it.... He was still nervous when we got to the doctor.. but he was aware of what was going to happen.. so he tried his hardest to be a "big boy".. and he didn't feel like his dad and I tricked him by just talking him to the doctor and not knowing what was going to happen.
Good luck with your little ones.
2006-10-24 01:56:15 · answer #3 · answered by Legs 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well my son is 5 and he just got a hep b shot last week. i wasn't gonna tell him but it slipped on the phone to someone and he heard. he has had shots before so he knew what it was. he was alil upset when we got to the docs but he was ready for it and he did very well. i also think i would of felt like i tricked him if id idn't tell him and i didnt' want him to be mad at me lol he was fine with it cried a very lil but was perfect afterwards so yes i would tell the 6 yr old the 3 yr old will probably cry either way. maybe you should wait to get in the office to tell him you may have a hard time gettin him into the office if you tell him before hand.
2006-10-24 01:53:15 · answer #4 · answered by B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 3 and 6 yr old. And yes I tell them they are going to have shots. I also tell them it is going to hurt and it will OK if they cry. then I tell them I will get them a milkshake after wards. I want them to know what is going to happen but the promise of reward makes them more willing to go through with it. Children should have a chance to prepare themselves for this of this nature. Early the morning your going to go would be a good time to tell them. That way they have time to prepare but not enough time to worry!
2006-10-24 04:07:00 · answer #5 · answered by Bekka 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As to Hazeleyes response I'm sorry but what a total Bit!@ I never would tell my son that. I'm 23 yrs. old and I'm still the biggest baby when it comes to shots they hurt and I do cry sometimes still I just cant' stand them. But as to your question yes I would tell them but like others were saying I'd wait untill you get in the car to go to the doctors office and once the shots are over and done with I'd take them to mcdonald's or to get ice cream whatever is something they love to do which isn't going to break your wallet. Good luck
2006-10-24 03:43:59 · answer #6 · answered by rochelle s 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, you need to be honest with them or they will dred going and they will loose trust in you. Tell them that they are going to the doc tto get a flu shot. Let them know that they will feel a small poke, and thats it. Let them know if they do well, you will take them to get a treat if they do well. Also let them know that it is okay to cry, but encourage them about doing well, and Idon't think you will have any problems!
Good luck! :o)
2006-10-24 02:58:06 · answer #7 · answered by Jenna 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is such a hard but necessary thing to do. I'd tell the six year old and I would explain that he needs to take it like a big boy because little brother is watching. Tell him that if he does good you will take him shopping for a toy afterward or to a movie or something. No screaming and carrying on (especially from a boy), I'd make that perfectly clear to the six yr old because he really is too old for that junk. I've worked in a doctor's office for several years and I can tell you their is no need for a six year old to act a fool when he gets his shot. I've seen younger girls take it with little to no fuss. So he needs to suck it up and take it like a big boy, then reward him when he does. No reward for screaming and yelling (it's uncalled for from a 6 yr old).
2006-10-24 02:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by HazelEyes 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would warn them but not to far in advance you don't want them to worry about it to much. Tell them in the car on the way too the clinic.
2006-10-24 01:54:25 · answer #9 · answered by aintgivinup79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is almost 3, here's what I did at his 2.5 year immunization (and I'll do this again at his 3 year). I bought him a new toy, a moment before she gave him the shot, I gave him the toy. He was so excited, he didn't even notice.
2006-10-24 03:37:34 · answer #10 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋