Broccoli Cupcake

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Our oldest, who recently started calling himself Nature Boy, was due for his 5 year check-up.  Our 2 year old, who we affectionately call Bam-Bam, was also due for a

by foundnotfound

 vaccine since we are on a delayed schedule.  I decided to go ahead and schedule them both at the same time and just get it all over with (what was I thinking!) 

The weigh-ins and measurements went well, the vision and hearing tests were passed with flying colors.  Then the nurse came in with the blood pressure cuff and I knew I had made a terrible mistake.   Nature Boy’s fit over the blood pressure cuff was unexpected.  Thinking back, it may have brought up traumatic memories from past emergency room visits, but I was still surprised.  His little brother demonstrated it, I demonstrated it, the nurse demonstrated and all the while he screamed with his arms crossed and refused the test.  The pediatrician decided to let it pass because with him so upset we wouldn’t get an accurate reading anyway.  All that was left now was the finger prick (blood test) and the shots.  I braced myself.  

The finger prick was awful.  He thrashed and screamed I tried everything to reassure him, but we couldn’t calm him down.  The nurse said she had to do it and I reluctantly gave her permission to go ahead.  He threw such a fit that he popped the blood vessels in his eyelids – like when you’ve thrown up a lot.  It was so pitiful and I felt horrible!  To make it worse, Bam-Bam was interjecting from his chair, “brother doesn’t want to-brother doesn’t want to!”  I comforted them both and told the nurse we needed a break before the shots. 

The pediatrician came in and we talked about my questions, Nature Boy’s diet, school plans, etc.  Everyone calmed down a bit.  Then we went ahead and gave Bam-Bam his shots.  He was pretty freaked out from his big brothers reactions so I think it was worse than it would have been if I had brought him alone.  Then it was Nature’s Boy turn again.  I held him and talked to him.  I explained why we were getting shots, that it would only hurt for a second, I told him I would hold him through all of it, that mommies and daddies get shots too, and that I would take him for a big bowl of ice cream after.  Through my whole speech he screamed.  I probably should have just said no and brought him back another day, but I didn’t.  The pediatrician sent in two nurses to help and Nature Boy got his shots.  One in each leg.   

Afterwards, he refused to walk and imitating his brother, Bam-Bam refused to walk too.  So I carried them both out, faces red from screaming and crying, as all the other parents watched making the connection between us and the 20 minutes of screams. 

When we got to Cold-Stone Creamery and the boys saw the big cups of vanilla mess with colorful gummy bears peeking out everywhere they suddenly forgot about their legs and decided I was the best mom!  I didn’t feel like the best mom.  Most of the day was a big fat fail, but the ice cream part was good!

What I learned, I have no idea how to prepare my kids for a doctor’s visit.  They’ve been traumatized by tests and procedures in the hospital and the emergency room in the past and I’m not sure anything but time will help with that.  But a good start might be to schedule future appointments individually so they can have my undivided attention.   

If you have suggestions for preparing young kids for a doctor’s visit I would love to hear them!  This post is submitted to Friday Fails at My Blessed Life.