To bribe my son?

[TattyDevine]

My son is due his pre-school jabs.

The last lot he had was MMR and the other one they do with that, at 13 months. So its been a while!

He saw my daughter have her MMR and othermejigga one recently, so he knows what they are.

I casually mentioned that it will be his turn soon and that he will be a bigger-bigger-bigger boy and be very brave and he said "I dont want to!" and had a lower lip quavery moment.

So the slip of paper came through the door and I really need to make an appointment to get it done for him.

He's a strapping lad though, when they are 13 months you hold them vice like gently in place but at 3 and a half, how the hell do you get them to co-operate?

I'm thinking a new toy, in my handbag, brought out just before we do it, to incentivise?!? Something for him to really focus on during the "sharp scratch" ?

Can I shamelessly ask your advice of how those of you who chose to immunise their children managed the pre-school ones? Do you hold them down still? Did you bring your partner as well? Did you bribe? Is a new toy OTT (in my day we got a Smartie, whoop de doo) or will he become a brat?

I'd be really grateful for anyone's experiences, tips or advice, including your judgement on whether bribery is appropriate in this situation. I'd rather not get flamed for choosing to immunise though, if you dont mind, though I know I'm leaving myself wide open to that by posting this, for what its worth I stay out of immunisation debates so have never cast judgement on a non-immuniser...

Err. AIBU?

(thank you in advance) Mwah x

Awww the pre school always seem to be the worst as the fear hurts more (for both parents and kids) than the jab so I do feel for you.

I coped by not saying a word until about 10 minutes before we were due to leave for the Drs. Then I'd casually say 'Ok, we're just popping into the Docs' and then on to (insert toy shop/macdonalds/grandparents/swimming)

They'd be more interested in the latter but would of course eventually ask why we're going to the Docs - then I'd tell them as 'matter of factly' as possible. Of course they'd freak a bit with fear but for a lesser amount of time.

A nice Doc/Nurse and a very firm grip also helps. Good luck

When it was ds1's turn, he just had them - I hadn't even considered the need for a bribe.

At the time he had them though I had been having umpteen travel vax for going to Timbuktu, him accompanying me (to the vax appointments not Africa!), and because I hadn't made a fuss about them he obviously didn't see the need to either.

I think as your ds's case is a bit different to that (can't imagine your dd didn't cry a little bit at least!), then a bribe would do no harm. Our practice nurse doles out jelly babies or chocolate buttons as standard, but nowt wrong with a new Hot Wheels car or summat small from mum too imo.

Oh and distraction! (wonders how I could have forgotten that) Honestly, the times I've kept a firm bear hug on them and blown raspberries/made faces/made a total twat of myself to keep them looking in my direction rather than at the nurse and needle!

We talked to ds1 about it, was honest with him that is would sting a bit but was important to make sure he didn't get really poorly. His gran is diabetic and we let him watch her giving herself injections and so he could see that it was no biggie.

And told him that he would get a toy and whatever cake he wanted in cafe nero after for being a brave boy. So shameless bribery! He chose to get ben 10 / gwen / kevin figures as they are very brave for fighting aliens so if he could hold them he would be brave too.

He didn't turn a hair, skipped in and then came out ((he went with dh) saying can we go and get my cake now?

No worries!

The nurses have a way, they sit them on your knee facing you and ask you to hold one of their arms, IIRC. And then chocolate, yes.

I took him in without much discussion beforehand. I had bought a little Lego toy, his first Lego, and gave it him in the waiting room to look at. It was the waiting I was worried about, he doesn't like docs and has a tendency to be a bit of a bolter. I also had his baby brother with me so hands were full so I figured bribery a sensible tactic.

Worked like a dream.

Thanks for these! Sounds like bribery is the way forward then! Keep your anecdotes and tips coming!

I do worry because he's pretty strong and I'm pretty, well, not, though yes I could hold him down of course but would rather his "buy-in" if that makes sense, even though he can't quite grasp the concept of the actual immunisation and what it is for.

Ta!