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Do I need to worry about what DS will think about having the pre-school booster jab?

6 replies

mrsmcdreamy · 03/06/2009 19:56

DS (4) is due to have his pre-school booster on Monday. I'm pretty sure I'm worrying about nothing, but it just feels as though it's been such a long time since his last jab, when, to a certain extent he was unaware of what was going on.

Do MNers suggest I do something to prepare him, or is it best to just go in 'blind' and leave the explaining to to the nurses???

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PortAndLemon · 03/06/2009 19:59

I told DS the evening before, and then again in the morning, that he needed an injection to stop him getting some nasty bugs, that it might hurt for a little bit but would be OK and that I'd buy him some Smarties afterwards . I think building it up much more than that is probably a mistake, but equally I wouldn't want him not to have had time to process the idea properly before the nurse leapt on him syringe in hand...

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Spoo · 03/06/2009 20:17

Agree with P and L. I told my DS the night before. I explained what a needle was and that the nurse would be putting it into his arm and that it would probably hurt. I also told him why the jab was important so he didn't get sick and that if he was very brave he could have a chocolate afterwards. I was worried as he is quite sensitive but he was fine (didn't even cry) and declared to anyone that would hear that he was very brave.

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JoeJoe1977 · 03/06/2009 20:30

My DS1 had his last Monday, and I was so surprised by how great he was. I had told him over the weekend what was happening, explain that it would hurt but no more than when his little brother scratches him. We also made a big deal of doing a special trip to the village shop to get smarties ready for after the injections.

He sat on my knee (with his favourite toy in hand), and watched each needle go in without a sound. He said 'thankyou' to the nurse and then asked for his smarties.

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mrsmcdreamy · 03/06/2009 20:37

Your replies have reassured me considerably!! I think I'm under-estimating his resilience.

My instinct was to tell him beforehand & the choccy treat is a great idea - thanks!

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applepudding · 03/06/2009 22:22

Yes - do explain briefly to your child before you go in what will be happening - eg the nurse will be injecting some medicine into his leg to stop him getting poorly. DS was very good about his injection, like joejoe's DS, he sat there and watched, didn't cry and was given a sticker and some sweets. Other children who had not been prepared were a lot more upset.