My 4 1/2 yr old daughter will soon be receiving her vaccinations for kindergarten. She is such a kind hearted and sweet little girl and I know she will try to be brave. However, does anyone have any strategies, ideas, rewards...to help her (and me) through them?
My son had to get 5 before he started kindergarten, and I told him if he was brave he could pick out where we go for lunch and also get a new toy
I work as a medical assistant and totally agree do not tell the kids it won't hurt, also don't call the nurse/ma mean because also has a bad effect. What I have learned works great with some kids are bubbles, tell them to take a deep breath in and blow it out and blow bubbles. It getts their attention on something other then the shot and it also have has a calming effect because of the deep breathing excersizes. And for the mom's that cry too try not to make too big of a deal about it because you may scare the child more, if you need to leave the room and you get to be the hero because you saved them after. My husband can not and I mean can not be in with my daughter when she gets shots he almost passes out. Just some thoughts.
I noticed someone said not to give Tylenol beforehand--I have never heard that would change the effectiveness of the vaccine--that's what our doc told us to do when the kids were little! Wonder if there is a similar issue with motrin? You could ask your doctor.
Yes, definitely admit that the shots can hurt a little. There's no point in lying! But emphasize that it will be over quickly. Maybe you could offer to let her hold your hand? This might help you too, because you feel like you are doing something to help her.
A little treat afterwards is a good idea--lunch out, or a stop for an ice cream cone if you are not at a mealtime.
K. Z.
Will they let her blow bubbles during her shots? My kids have diabetes and each gets 4 shots per day. They blow bubbles to relax and focus on the bubbles instead of the shots. It works pretty well.
D.
I hate taking the kids for shots & have since they were born... sometimes I think I cry almost as much as they do because someone is hurting my little ones. I think sometimes the kids shots are just as stressful on the parent or even more then the kid.
We take the kids to Children's Hosp Ped. on White Pond. They always give them a new book when they give shots. But if I have the money we go get lunch afterwards. My kids like McD's but they only get it every great once in a while. Think it has been over 2 months since they went. Some of them have play grounds and if you have time let her play a little for bing a good girl for the shots.
The good thing about the kindergarden shot is that they are the last set till they are about 12 or 13 yrs old. So, I think that is a reward for us as parents... a long brake before we have to go through it all again.
Do not give her tylenol before you go, it will decrease the vaccine's effectivness.
Don't tell her it won't hurt, because it will. Tell her it will be quick and hurt like a bee sting, but it will be over quickly.
Be honest. If they ask if it will hurt say yes, but only for a second and by the time they feel it, it is over. We go to Noblesville Pediatrics and my son got his shots as well as a book and FIVE coins for the prize machine. The booger actually wanted MORE shots so he could get MORE coins!
