My son who is so incredibly stubborn (just like me) is sick and refuses to take his medicine without at least an hour of discussion / arguing over its importance, i really have no idea how i convinced him to take it before his bedtime this evening, but he did willingly. Does anyone have any ideas or techniques that works for your kids to get him or her to take their medicine without so much trouble???? (I have already done putting it in his milk, he still tastes it and wont drink anymore than one or two sips just to make sure it is actually contaminated with his medicine!)
2006-11-04 18:13:07 · 20 answers · asked by Jessy 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Something that has worked for me is kind of the "spoonful of sugar" method. With my son, we made a deal. I would have him take the medicine really fast in a little cup. . . then he would immediately get a scoop of ice cream. Be sure to have the spoon of ice cream ready and waiting! My son doesn't get ice cream all that often, so getting the ice cream was reason enough for him to take the medicine. You could probably do this with any kind of sweet thing the child likes (maybe chocolate syrup??).
I can't blame your child, I remember medicine as a child tasting horrible!!!! You'll probably want to wait until he's a little older but as soon as my parents suggested taking pills, I was ready!! I think I was 5 at the time. They taught me how to take pills by making me practice swallowing tic-tacs. Just a little something for you to consider in the future!!! Good luck!!!
2006-11-04 18:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by hollybug_88 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A. As if it weren't stressful enough for your child to be sick, coaxing him to take medicine can be quite a challenge. There are ways to help ease the chore.
Be sensitive to why she might be resisting, and try and fix it.
Does the medicine taste bitter or is it hard to swallow due to a sore and swollen throat? Ask your doctor or pharmacist about alternative ways the medicine can be dispensed. Some prescriptions can be taken either as liquid, chewables, or pills. You could also consider asking your pharmacist to add flavoring to the prescription. Many pharmacies are starting to add flavors as an option. Is your child's stomach upset? Consider letting a child her favorite treat or give her a popsicle to help ease the stomach upset.
Have you maintained control?
Does your child think there is an option as to whether to take the medicine? Don't coax; getting into an argument about whether to take medicine is not the right solution. Let your child focus on the task at hand and explain that this will make their sickness better. Stay calm and positive, but remain firm that taking medicine is not an option. Then, reward your child with a big hug, or reading a special book, as positive reinforcement.
Good luck and hope he feels better..
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2006-11-04 18:35:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am having the same problem with my 4 year old . When she goes to her dads house she is so good and always minds does what he says and acts like a little angle !!at home it is a hole different ball game she is the "BOSS"I have to say u r doing every thing that I am. Although maybe you should have daddy be the bad guy for once. Little girls seem to be intimidated by a mans voice.. Sometimes I also be live God made our butts for a reason. I have had to spank my daughter also. I so wish kids came w/a hand book. I am thinking about taking parenting classes, hey it might help. I also have a son ! he is 6 and does not even like playing w/toys anymore??he seems depressed?? it could be that he is just quiet like his father?I only wish I knew. Moms have the hardest job ever but I think you and your daughter will get through it. Hey try spending some one-on-one time together. Always always ask for some time to your self and relax there is alway tomorrow. thanks
2016-05-22 00:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a fight? Probably not the first few times, but here's what worked for my mother.
I was an incredibly stubborn child too, with chronic ear infections and strep throat back in the days when you still got antibiotics every time. I hated the medicine and would NOT take it. Mom finally got sick of it and told me I had until the count of ten to come over and take my (already measured) medicine before she forced me to take it. I didn't believe her. She picked me up, turned me upside-down in the kitchen sink and literally poured the dose down my throat. Three times a day until I finally realized she wasn't kidding and started to come when she said to come. I still didn't like it, but I took it without a fight. :)
You could also try positive reinforcement (tons of praise and maybe even a little snack when he doesn't fight you over it) or modeling (give him an old medicine dropper filled with water and have him make his favorite stuffed animal feel better).
2006-11-04 18:29:28 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my daughter was young I had the same problem.... So we discussed the easy way to take medicine (you just take it) and the hard way (I layed her on the floor, sat down on the floor myself layed her head betwen my legs with her arms pinned under my legs held her nose and dropped the medicine in her mouth when she opened it to breath)....
Only took one time doing it the hard way before she always chose the easy way...
All I ever had to say was "Time to take your meds, wanna do it the easy way or the hard way?" be prpared for answers like "Duh mom the easy way." but at least the fighting and convincing was over...
You can also start squishing bread into bits about the size and shape of a pill so your child can practice swallowing them and soon leave the nasty elixors behind...
2006-11-04 19:40:03 · answer #5 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, well is it a prescription medicine? If so, Have the pharmacist add some flavoring to it most pharmacies are able to make the medicine have flavorings such as grape, bubblegum, etc. Most children who have to take a nasty tasting medicine won't refuse to take it if it's flavored. I worked in a pharmacy, and we used to do it for customers when they asked for it. It never hurts to ask. Best of luck to you and yours. - James
2006-11-04 18:18:57 · answer #6 · answered by zekemilli4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 2 and we have the same problem giving her medicine. Sometimes she will take it if we take a taste and say yummy other times we have to if it is liquid we put it in her drink but now we started buying the chewables and she takes those just fine!!!
2006-11-04 23:23:14 · answer #7 · answered by Veronica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem when my son was that age and i couldn't get mad at him he got it honest...i got a small syringe and put the medicine in the gummies he loved those and he never knew the difference don't know if it will work for you but it did for me hope it helps...
2006-11-04 18:16:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mom, you know what's best for your son. Simply tell him it's time to take his medicine. No discussion. You don't need his permission. Adopt a no-nonsense attitude about it. Either take away a privilege for not taking it or offer a reward for taking it. You know your son best and know which of these strategies will work.
You are the parent. Start acting like one.
2006-11-04 18:29:28 · answer #9 · answered by freedomnow1950 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My 4 year old already knows he has to take it.For my 2 1/2 year old,i have a cup of juice right next to her medicine to drink it right after.You can use a syringe to give him right directly in his mouth.
2006-11-04 18:23:22 · answer #10 · answered by avavu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋