It seems the first few years of a child’s life are full of visits to the doctor, whether it be a check up, vaccinations or an . . .
emergency situation. Every time that date comes around on my calendar, circled in red so I don’t forget, I stress a little. I stress because there are a million questions I have to ask and I always forget almost all of them. The other thought that runs through my mind is, “please, please, let my children behave this time.” I am sure I’m not alone in worrying about this.
What I have learned about going to the doctor is that it’s imperative to be prepared. I usually keep a list on the side of my fridge and any time I think of a question, even if the appointment is months or weeks away, I write it down. That way my thoughts are organized when I get there and I am less likely to forget a question or concern.
Sometimes you can strike gold and get in and out of the office fairly quickly but you can’t always depend on that. Bringing a snack, a favourite toy, some stories or colouring books help pass the time, if you are in for a long wait. I try to make sure my kids are well fed before heading out the door and hopefully they have had a good night’s sleep or a nap.
Some kids love visiting the doctor while others absolutely hate or fear it. You know your child best. Sometimes it’s best to prepare your child with what the doctor is going to do and why. Some kids thrive on knowing what to expect while it may make others anxious. There are lots of story books out there that depict what happens at a doctor visit. This could help explain their visit in advance.
I find the four and a half year old vaccinations to be the toughest appointment. They are old enough to know that needles are scary and tend to work themselves up. We’ve tried not telling them beforehand and we’ve tried telling them and explaining it, it really depends on the child. I’ve seen kids come out of the vaccination room happy with a sucker, but I’ve also seen kids come out screaming and crying (like my son last month). It can’t be helped, they need the vaccines to stay healthy (in my opinion). Sometimes bribery helps, other times you just have to hold them down for the nurse. It’s not fun but it’s a pretty quick process at least.
It’s always a little easier to have a second set of hands at doctor appointments, especially if you have more than one child. This way someone can stay in the waiting room while you take one child in for their exam at a time. Having an extra set of hands can certainly be very helpful, that way I can concentrate on my child who is being examined and give them and the doctor my full attention.
It’s also beneficial if you want to speak to the doctor without your child hearing your conversation. The kids can wait with your helper while you speak in private – this can definitely come in handy as kiddos get older.
When that time rolls around for your kids’ next doctor’s appointment just remember that you are there for your child’s well being and their development and also you’re not the first parent that has stressed about a doctor’s visit.
