Advise to prep not terribly brave 3.5 year old DS for pre-school boosters?

[SycamoretreeIsVile]

DS is a bit of a blubbery wreck when it comes to stuff like this. Well, who isn't? Put it into context, he becomes hysterical, screaming with hot tears and terror when he has to have his hair cut and the scissors go anywhere near his ears. He's skittish, frightened, all that stuff.

So, any advice on how to prep him for his final jabs before we can relax until he is 11 or whenever it is the next lot are due? How far in advance to tell him (week, day, hours, minutes?).

Any strategies that have worked would be greatly appreciated. Am dreading it worse than I did my A levels.

TIA.

Don't tell him. I talked my Ds through it and we practised him sitting on my knee etc. This was all very calm but on the day itself he became so hysterical that my aunt and I couldn't get him in the car. The actual jags were over in a second but he build up was awful, he was so scared. I wish I had just taken him and he had had two seconds of being scared rather than half a day of it.

Just take him and say he needs special medicine to stop germs. Packet of sweets on the table for afterwards, and a few seconds later its done. I think they can build it up in their minds to much worse than it is given some time to think

I would tell him - but don't refer to 'injections' or 'needles'. Just say that he's going to have a little scratch on his arm that will protect him from horrid diseases. Plan a treat for afterwards - focus on that but don't tell him it's because he's going to be a good or brave boy - that just builds the pressure/fear.

It sounds likely to me that you need to be careful about projecting your own apprehension - you need to be happy and relaxed - hold hands don't cuddle etc. If he perceives that you're 'protecting' him he'll become nervous that there's something to fear.

DD is just 4 and due some boosters. She's fascinated by what they do. She thinks of them in terms of soldiers who go into your body and make defences against illness. We talk about years ago before vaccinations and how clever scientists are. Would any of that work?

The day itself, the jabs I just frame as part of the day. So, right dd next Tues we're going to feed the ducks, then nip to the GP and get your jabs and then we're off to the shop and later on... etc etc.

Show - wish that would work but developmentally not sure DS quite there yet. That would have worked for DD as she is also fascinated by the body and loved that book GERMS. She never really batted much of an eye over her jabs. DS just not as advanced with his language etc as she was. I could imagine him getting very confused about what was actually going into his body bless his cottons.

Forty - Yes, you are right. I'll be mindful of the projection - so hard though with the last round still ringing in my ears. Fake smile, bright and breezy does it (gulp).

Don't talk about it until the morning of, just mention it as part of other events in the day. And some choc buttons afterwards will help too!

DOn't tell him until you are in the room, he sounds like my DS1 who would have got very upset and refused to go in if he had known in advance.

When in the room I explained that he needed some medicine to stop him getting some horrible diseases and I got out a packet of Smarties which were handed over as soon as the jabs were done. I listed people who had also had it done so he knew it was normal. He was not too keen understandably but it was over very quickly and he didn't mention it after a few hours.

Mentioning it in advance to DS1 would have just wound him up and made him anxious, even in passing.

I told DS he was getting some medicine to stop him getting ill but it tasted bad so the nurse would give it to him in his arm instead. I also theatrically packed some chocolate buttons in my bag and produced them on arrival "for after you've had your medicine". I cheated and arranged my flu jab for the same appointment though so I could demonstrate how painless it was

Don't mention it at all until the last minute.

Don't say "it won't hurt" - because it will, and they might not trust you again. Try instead - "it's like a very hot scratch, but it only lasts for 2 seconds".

Bribe enormously afterwards (favourite sweeties in double normal permitted quantities).

Oh, and make sure you hold him very, very firmly - it'll be twice the drama if he can wriggle.