Telling children about vaccines

[cauliflowercheese14]

Looking for some guidance! I'm taking my two dds (3&6) for the men b vaccine next week. I haven't told them yet. Should I tell them now and give it time to sink in or just tell them on the day? Don't want the older one to fret as she's terrified of needles although hasn't had one since preschool booster. The younger one had a chicken pox vaccine recently and I had to hold her down for the 2nd dose as she knew what was coming and it was awful. I want to handle it the best way possible but don't know what that is! All advice gratefully received, thanks.

[MattDillonsPants]

Tell them when you're on the way there otherwise they may build up anxiety.

Tell them there will be a treat for their bravery.

[cauliflowercheese14]

I've decided to tell them the day before and buy them both a treat afterwards. I'm sure I'm overthinking this.

[HPandBaconSandwiches]

I've recently taken mine for chicken pox vaccines, DS aged5 and DD 3. We had to go twice so even less fun! I tell them the day before, but not at bedtime. We call them pinches in our house. I say it will pinch but if they count to 10 it will be done. I buy them a big chocolate treat and take it with us, they get it straight away, even if it's almost mealtime.

I also take iPads and headphones for the waiting room otherwise they get v upset.

Not ideal perhaps, but gets us through.

I had to do it alone, but if you can get someone else to go with you, one per child, or you have one who won't sit for the vaccine and one who needs comfort at the same time,

Good luck!

[cauliflowercheese14]

Thanks HP, it's two doses with this one too. I'll take an instant sweet treat with me but will allow them to buy a little something else too. I'm going to tell them tomorrow afternoon. Thankfully I'll have DH with me so we will take one in at a time.