Vaccinations - what do you tell your 3 y o about them?

[DrFrankenZooey]

???

Am just starting to realise what I thought was the appalling trauma of vaccinating a baby, could be plain sailing, compared to persuading a large and clever preschooler to sit still while a stranger sticks needles in him.

[auntymandy]

mine have all been ok. Never really thought about it. Dont make a big thing about it

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[DrFrankenZooey]

But what do you tell them? You have to say something. Or did you just pretend that you walked into the doctor's by accident, and the fact that your child was assaulted by a big needle wielding nurse came as a complete surprise to you?

[auntymandy]

They arent big needles. I just say...'ha ha youre going to have an injection!!'

[foundintranslation]

I've no experience with this franny, but I think I might say something along the lines of 'I know it hurts, but it'll be over in a moment and it's to stop you feeling/getting very ill' - and make a BIG fuss of him during and after for his bravery.

[DrFrankenZooey]

'ha ha youre going to have an injection'

and do you find much success with this approach auntymandy?

[auntymandy]

my ds4 had one last week. just said ouch and that was it. my health visitor then gave him smarties,soon forgotten about.

[DrFrankenZooey]

Yes FIT the bravery thing is a good idea. I have just realised ds has no idea what an injection is or what it is for - hmm lots of role playing with the doctors set coming up I think

[DrFrankenZooey]

Smarties?



do they have organic ones?

[auntymandy]

i dont think a few smarties will hurt. She did ask me first!
Dont make a thing about it at all. Why make him worry. You obviously are worried and feel you need to pass the info on. its a second then done and forgotten!

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Gobbledispook]

I didn't really say anything. Just took them to the dr and they only found out when they went in. Never caused any fuss though - just not really been an issue.

Always took a treat for after.

[PrettyCandles]

I explained that it was a special medicine that had to go into him with an injection rather than through his mouth. I also told him that he would feel a sharp prick and then it would be over. We have a 'mantra' that we recite when doing something unpleasant, and can generally ensure that whatever it is is over by the time we've finished reciting it, so we also used that during the vaccination.

I've never felt (or found) the need to bribe with sweets - but each to his own.

6yo ds has been watching me have blood tests recently, and must still remember his pre-school boosters, as he told me "You know how you said that that special medicine that had be inside me would only be a sharp prick and then it would be over? Well, that's exactly what it was like. Does it hurt more if you have the injection in your arm for longer when the nurse takes your blood out?"

[Gobbledispook]

FZ - they have smarties now with no artificial colours - you should see them, they are either white or really subdued colours - nothing like they used to be.

[OOOOOOOOooooooooOOOOOOOOO]

I just don't understand how those of you who don't explain first, manage this. I mean before we left the house ds would be asking where we were going. If I said the doctor he would want to know why. I will definitely explain first what we are going to do.

oh it is F&Z with daft name btw

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[auntymandy]

I didnt 'bribe' at all they were given if she hadnt given him them he wouldnt have had anything!!
He was munching an apple at the time I hugged him, she stuck it in, he said ouch!! end of.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Gobbledispook]

No I didn't bribe with treats - the treat was given regardless of how they reacted to it. I'd say 'good boy' even if they blubbed their heart out. It's not nice being jabbed is it?

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[auntymandy]

I agree. to make a thing about it is only going to make them worry. just turn up have it done come home. answer questions if asked!!

[Spidermama]

Don't worry Franny. Smarties can be replaced with Manna Bear 'sweets' or echinacea lollies if you're really hard core. I've yet to find any lentil based confectionary.

I don't have this quandry. On the contrary, I have to find ways of explaining to my kids why I don't subject them to vaccinations.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[PrettyCandles]

Likewise agree - don't practice or roleplay the vaccination until after the event. Don't build it up.

I deliberately used the word injection so that ds could ask me for more info if he wanted to. I don't recall that he did, just accepted it.

[HauntedsandCastle]

i wouldn't mention hurt or pain , when & if explaining tbh. Children won't know that it is going to hurt, so mentioning the words justs puts the idea into their heads. Then if it does hurt, they won't trust you again. I just told dd (3)that we were going to see the nurse. That's it. She had one in each arm, as we are getting her up to date with Aussie vaccinations. She cried ALOT and was given chocolate as a distraction & to make her a bit happier.