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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To donate blood if my kids are with me?

43 replies

fuzzypicklehead · 16/04/2013 05:17

Just that really. I keep hearing radio adverts urging people to donate, so I looked up sessions that are near me. All of the appointments for the next month (within 10 miles) are for times when I have no childcare. DDs are 5 and 3.

WIBU to take them with me, as I would for a doctor's appointment, etc? I can rely on them to sit quietly next to me, so I'm not worried that they would be disruptive.

It's more whether they'll be upset by the bag of blood coming out of mummy's arm. Eldest DD does get upset when people hurt themselves and are bleeding. But maybe it's a bit different when it's nicely contained in a tube and a bag and the person isn't screaming because they've fallen over?

I think it could be an opportunity to teach the girls about helping others and also that bleeding & needles aren't something to be afraid of, but I'm not sure whether 3 & 5 are too young?

OP posts:

nancerama · 16/04/2013 17:30

I went a few weeks ago and took DS with me in his buggy. I came with a friend and her DD. The plan was to tag team so while one of us was giving blood, the other one would look after the DCs, then we would swap places.

We had a real battle - they weren't happy in case we both fainted and they were stuck with 2 1 year olds to take care of. In the end I gave them my mum's phone number in case of emergencies and they grudgingly let us both give blood.

JazzTheDog · 16/04/2013 17:36

My DS2 has been attending with me for the last year when I started donating again. He was 6 at the first donation and because we had to wait in a long queue he got a chance to have a good look around and ask questions before I went over for my turn.

He is fascinated by it and has a good look at them putting in the needle and keeps his eye on the flow rate machine when it's filling the bag!

wonkylegs · 16/04/2013 17:42

Another one who says it depends on your kids - I can't give blood but I've been going for regular blood tests at the hospital for nearly 15yrs, on the occasional times I've had to take DS he's got hysterical about them sticking the needle in mummy and thinks he needs to defend me despite having it explained loads of times. It's funny because usually he's a good kid to take to appointments etc it's just the needles he freaks out about. Weirdly this doesn't translate to when he's had jabs or blood drawn just when they do it to me.

Yonihadtoask · 16/04/2013 17:43

I used to take DS with me - from when he was about 5 or 6 yo . He was fascinated bythe bagfilling with blood

I can't donate any more though unfortunately. ):

Kiriwawa · 16/04/2013 17:45

I take DS. He just thinks its a bit dull but he's prepared to sit there quietly for the Bourbon biscuits

YoniRaver · 16/04/2013 17:47

My session welcomes dc's as I think they know you wouldn't bring them if you didnt have too.

DS1 and now 2 have come with me in the past, today DS2 played in the playground with his Dad then came into to see me. His Dad showed him the blood bag and DS told me about Dr Rang, so I hope he will see donation as nothing to be frightened of DS1 will no way go

tearsofrobertsmith · 16/04/2013 17:50

It's a wonderful thing for children to see- my son has come along with me since he was in a buggy and is now nearly 7. The nurses make a big fuss of him and the volunteers outside were lovely to him, giving him juice and biscuits afterwards too. Since being big enough to sit still he sits at the end of the bed at my feet and watches closely asking lots of questions which the nurses are always happy to answer.
I think it's hugely important for children to see donating blood as a normal part of life and that blood is not scary. I understand though that some children just like adults might be a little sensitive, you know your own child and I know that mine is a Ghoul!!!!!!!!

claudedebussy · 16/04/2013 17:50

i think it's an absolutely brilliant idea tbh. good for you. i'm going to do it too now, and i'll be bringing my kids.

Calabria · 16/04/2013 17:52

I usually take my daughter with me. The sessions in our town start at 4pm so I can't go while she is at school. She is eight now and I've been taking her since she was quite small. She starts going on about chocolate biscuits about four days ahead of time!

My husband's mother took him along with her when he was a nipper and he fainted! He is very squeamish about blood and needles though.

IloveJudgeJudy · 16/04/2013 20:19

You really can't take DC where I give blood. It's in a mobile blood lorry/van. The lorry is smaller now than it used to be as now anyone can drive it, where before, you needed a lorry licence to drive it. There isn't really enough room for the people giving blood, the nurses, the computers and the people queuing up to give and those resting and eating afterwards. Usually, you have to queue up outside, come rain or shine. It's a shame as I wanted to take mine as they're coming up to the age to give.

AnyoneforTurps · 16/04/2013 20:26

Trust me, they'll love it. I used to be an A&E doctor. Children that age love watching something gruesome happening to a parent (or, even better, sibling ), provided they can see that the parent is not distressed. Explain beforehand and stress that it won't hurt you and they'll be fine.

TheChaoGoesMu · 16/04/2013 20:29

I think its a good idea for kids to see that and take the fear away from it, as long as you know they will sit still and not run off.

PickledMoomin · 16/04/2013 20:29

Mine love going. They get squash and a biscuit at the end, and it's good for DS (3) to to see because he has regular blood tests.

MrsRandom78 · 16/04/2013 20:29

I gave blood last week and had my 2.5yo (and a bag of sweets!!) with me - he wasn't upset in the least and the staff were really good at explaining/keeping him interested - plus we both got a biscuit at the end!

Geordieminx · 16/04/2013 20:33

I take ds (5) with me every time. He likes the free biscuits

Usually take iPad and he's fine, tbh I like taking him, it normalises it IYKWIM? He's not scared of needles or blood which is good.

thehairybabysmum · 16/04/2013 20:51

I've been tonight with my two DSs (5 & 7). I couldn't donate due to recent dental work but they sat nicely and watched DH instead. They were also given biscuits and juice. DS delighted by a mint club!!

Soapysuds64 · 16/04/2013 21:02

Dd aged 4 would not sit in the blue waiting chairs, in case one of the donor assistants took her to give blood......and when she saw the needle in dh's arm she said (loudly) 'your arm is shrinking!' but seriously, no problems, and would not let having no child care stop me from giving.

roseyposeysmum · 19/04/2013 22:55

I take my 5 year old daughter with me, and where we go are wonderful with her.The first time we went they included her as much as possible, she is a nosey beast and was asking them all sort of questions, she loves watching them hook me up and will quite happily sit munching on a biscuit while i get drained of blood. I think it is good or kids as they learn about how giving blood helps etc. My dd gets to feel the bag of blood at the end of every session just to check i am still warm inside, the first time she was a bit weary of it hurting but now she can't wait to grow up and give blood like mummy - and as we are a rare blood type every single drop helps.

I can't believe some places don't let kids :( my dd gets rather excited when she knows it is time to give blood :)

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