My daughter who is 13 years old is STILL afraid of shots. Two years ago.. she ran around the doctor's office cause she had to get a prick!!! The doctor ended up giving up and not giving a prick to her! I haven't told her yet but she has a doctor's appointment Sept. 14. Worst of all she has to get the Tetnis shot, Measels, and the young girls cancer one. I need away to make her less afraid and a way to help her durring the appointment. PLEASE HELP ME!!! :] thanks!
2007-08-24 13:08:18 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Well I think all kids are scared of getting shots. That's why I pay my kids when they get shots. I tell them that if they don't cry while getting their shot then I will pay them each $1 for every shot that they don't cry. It has worked out pretty good so far. My 2 oldest are now 7 and 5, and even though they don't like shots, they actually get kind of excited to go to the doctor b/c they know they have a chance to get more money. And they get braver each time we go. So maybe you could work a deal with her before you go. Tell her if she can act mature and sit there and take it like a grown-up then you will reward her with whatever you see fit. That way she can see something good out of the painful experience. Good Luck!
2007-08-25 04:22:20 · answer #1 · answered by 3J&2A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is one thing to allow you're child to be truthful with her feelings but it is a whole different story when you allow her to run around a doctors' office like an uncontrollable toddler. Most people I know, both children and adults dislike pain but everyone gets shots and you're daughter at this age needs to behave and accept it. Having lockjaw I'm sure is more uncomfortable than a 1 second prick. Or cancer, or the measels... A little common sense won't hurt the teenager...
2007-08-27 11:33:53 · answer #2 · answered by mrs.nikita_ramirez 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. Just hold her hand while she gets the shot, and play calming music in the car on the ride to the doctors office. Try having her go with a friend from school/camp that also needs the shots. It helped me alot. Make sure to keep her calm starting a few hours before the shot. Stress causes more pain. And contrary to popular belief, the tetanus shot needle is no bigger than diptheria, mumps, or any other shot. The pain is the minor stinging of the vaccine liquid touching your muscle tissue.
2007-08-24 14:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your daughters doctor and see if they can use a topical numbing agent since she is so scared. (And ask for the smallest needle available!!) Also she is old enough to understand why she needs these shots. Be honest with her, yes it will hurt for a second, but do some research and show her why she needs the shots.
If she is still having a lot of anxiety about it ask if there is an anti anxiety medication that her dr can presscribe before the visit.
Then if all else fails, bribe her! Promise her something if she will sit still and get her shot, like taking her to a movie or a CD she has been wanting etc.
I was also terrified and had to be wrestled to the floor at 16 for my tetnus so I can relate!
2007-08-24 16:09:15 · answer #4 · answered by Reba 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just explain on the way to the office that the shots are for her own health, and that she is going to have to face her fears now or later. Then, maybe reward her afterwards if she handles it maturely? I know that might sound juvenile, but hey, she's only 13.. she'd probably like having a reward=)
It could be a trip to get her nails done, or out for icecream.. etc
2007-08-24 13:17:07 · answer #5 · answered by Ashley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shouldn't be any different than any other shot assuming your daughter has gotten shots before. it will be in the arm, not the butt. it's possible her arm may feel a little sore or achy the next day, but it will pass. a tetanus shot is for an injury such as stepping on a rusty nail and the like. it prevents lockjaw.
2016-05-17 07:19:22 · answer #6 · answered by kaley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she won't be as scared if a friend goes with her. You could take her and her friend to do something they enjoy. Maybe out for lunch or a movie or something. As far as covering her eyes or telling her not to look, let her decide. She might not be scared if she can see what the doctor is doing. Good luck. I was the EXACT same way until I was about 14.
2007-08-24 20:07:33 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Fancy♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to tell her the shots are to prevent from getting sick, and bad diseases such as measles. I rather be poked with a needle and get the measles or some other serious disease. I was on allergy shots for 15 years and I hated the allergy shots. One way to prevent shots from hurting so much is to have your daughter try to relax her harm and not to "tense" up. When I had my allergy shots, I would bend my elbow a bit and it won't hurt as much.
2007-08-25 07:35:25 · answer #8 · answered by Pauly W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was 10 I cried because I had to get my finger pricked. Now I am 22 and am not scared of shots at all (THANK GOODNESS)!!!! I still have to lay down because I always feel like I'm going to faint. And it doesn't hurt as much if you lay down.
2007-08-24 15:10:11 · answer #9 · answered by Lindsay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughters "practiced" their shots by gently poking each other with toothpicks! Also, there is a numbing cream, available by prescription only, called EMLA cream. Maybe you could call your daughters doctor and explain the situation, and they could call you in an order for the cream. You put it on about an hour before the appointment , and her skin will be numb!
2007-08-24 15:59:22 · answer #10 · answered by Cheryl B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋