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Several years ago, I worked seasonally as an RN at a flu shot clinic. It was mostly easy work and probably was my practice for the hundreds of needles I would inevitably inject into myself during IVF treatments.
I always regarded immunizing kids with horrible fear. See, I (mostly) like kids. I hated being the nurse to them. In all honesty, I would make a dreadful pediatric nurse.
I remember one time sitting at my table at a retail site and (I can’t make this up) a father leading a group of children that can only be described as a gaggle (yes, a freaking gaggle of children) walked past my table and said to his kids (All seven of them. I counted), “Who wants a flu shot!?” And I kid you not, there was a cacophony of shrieks and wails from the gaggle and the guy just winks at my horrified expression of the sheer horror of having to stab all seven of these children in a crowded store before telling them “OMG JK LOL FOREVER!!!!!”
And then walking away.
I wanted to stab him. With my 3cc influenza needles. Like, what the hell?
And we wonder, WE WONDER!, why kids hate shots. Why they hate going to the doctor. Why they hate nurses. We wonder! It’s because we think it’s funny to make kids terrified of needles. I can’t even tell you how many kids walked past my booth in the three years I did that job and literally shriek in fear when their parent bends downs and says in a sinister voice, “Do you want a shot??” before straightening up and smiling at me like we’re sharing some sort of ironic joke as their kid looks at me like I’m Slenderman. Seriously, so much for my sweet smile to them. They decided right then and there that I was a bad person with needles. And maybe I am a bad person with needles, but we don’t need to haunt their nightmares with it.
Poor Olivia is still achingly trusting of the doctors’ office, but the day will come when she will understand that going to the doctor means a shot. I hope to handle it vastly different than these parents I experienced. And never will I ever terrify her with the threat of a shot. But slow clap to those parents who do.
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I'm with you…somehow I want him to not be afraid of the doctors and shots. There has to be a way to make this fun right?
Due to cancer in my youth, I am sadly VERY USED to needles and they don't phase me – in fact, when I go to get blood tests (which working up to IVF has been frequently) I always chuckle when they ask me if I'm okay with needles.
On the flipside, I remember being 3-4 years old and needing a blood test. My mom had to hold me down – which probably tipped me off to the fact I was about to get stabbed by a sharp object – I than began freaking out and crying, wailing, couldn't sit still… Yep, I was the a-hole kid that day. I wish I could apologize to that person for what I put them (and other people in the clinic) through!
PS: I am NOT looking forward to the part of IVF where the big ass needle for progesterone goes into me. I can handle needles, but 2 inches? Yikes!
-Sabrina
Probably not ever fun. But.. necessary? A part of life? I don't know, I guess I want to just be matter of fact about it. Like, yes, you have to do this, just like Mama, and will hurt for a bit and then you'll be fine. Above all, no fear. It's one thing for kids to just naturally fear pain, it's another to prey on it.
I used to laugh too when I'd get my blood drawn for my physicals and they'd ask me if I was ok with needles. Yes. Yes I am. In fact, I always showed them the perfect place to stick me, which in hindsight probably made me look like a drug user.
The PIO shots are terrifying… the first few times. But then, sadly, it becomes just another thing you do in your routine.
Trust me, these idiots will get their due. Years ago I taught swim lessons. I still remember the 8 yr old who refused to get near the deep end because his father made the wise decision to tell him that's where the sharks lived. He thought it was funny until this same kid had multiple meltdowns when they tried getting him on a boat as the shark phobia applied to all deep water. It took me 3 yrs to help this child over his fear, during which time he had he sad realization that sometimes loved ones lie and not in a good way. The only benefit of all of that was said dad because the model of what not to do that we pulled out as our own horror story for every parent who brought their child in for swimming lessons (parent and baby all the way up to swim team).
Shots are harder. The Beats now exactly what it means when they see the needles. But we've found that we don't focus on the shots until right before they happen (makes it worse if we do) and then we talk them through why.
On that note, check this out. A very beautiful but scary reason for finishing your antibiotic regiment: https://www.wired.com/2016/09/gorgeous-unsettling-video-evolution-action/
Agh, I don't see why that would be funny when the parents have to help deal with the kid when they need a shot, but are scared. We had an allergic reaction with baby girl a couple of weeks ago and it involved blood tests and lots of poking and prodding and the doctor said to us, "she's probably not going to like coming to the doctors much anymore". Sigh, was hoping she would be a little older before that fear kicked in. I don't love needles (mostly I don't like watching the blood being drawn) so I always look away, but I'm going to have to be the brave role model now!
Only one of our gaggle (wait, is three still a gaggle?) hates needles, and has from the time she was an infant, even though we tried calm, positive spin approach on her. The other two are bothered in the slightest. Put me down on the side that doesn't see the humor of terrifying kids over things like this.
Wow. Yeah, I just don't understand it. I am all for having fun and joking around with your kids, but seriously. That's crazy. I like your approach for shots. That's how I want to handle it.
And crap, I started watching the video and got a pop up thingy. But so crazy. I just heard they were getting rid of antibiotic soap, which is good.
Bah! I don't know, but gaggle is now a funny word. 🙂
I don't know either. I don't get how that's fun for them. I think the thing that got me was that it was like a punishment, you know? And yes, your poor baby. That's heartbreaking. At least when you get blood drawn you can still look away by looking at her saying, "See? That's not so bad!" 🙂
I worked in a dental office for 26 years. Our biggest problem were the parents who came in reassuring their children that "it won't hurt". which is such a suggestive thing to say. I've found that parents who have phobias will unwittingly pass them on to their children even though they strive not to but we mostly managed through positive encouragement and parent hand holding to make those kids comfortable with dental treatments. It was one of my favorite part of the job! Kids are amazing! We saw those kids often and gained their trust so it must be so frustrating to only see them once or twice and not be able to help them through a stressful appointment. Also,a punch in the throat to the douchebags who tell kids that dentists will pull ALL their teeth with no needles. jerks