My daughter is very shot phobic and the longer we are in the waiting period for it to happen, the more anxious she gets. I've told our providers that they need to do it as quickly as possible and to not let her have time to "get ready" because she escalates up and not down with time.
But we've also talked with her about this outside the context of shots and she has agreed that we should hold her and get it done quickly, which feels important too -- she can't meaningfully give consent when she is in full fight or flight mode, so we make sure to check in with her after.
Pediatric dentists are magical. I was skeptical but one visit completely converted me. We've moved but have still gone back to the old office cause they are so good. Also seconding screens for shots and tons of pretend play. We had a traumatic dr visit at ~2yrs and then spent a lot of time before the next one with the dr kit examining his stuffed toys and giving them shots. lots of 'ow ow ow that hurt!' and then hugs. Helped a lot and now at 4 he got shot with no tears at all! He's still nervous but it was so much better.
it helps too at the ped dentist to unclench knowing that however your kid reacts, they've seen it before. They exist for that reason. I feel so bad reading the stories of the folks whose kids have to go to the regular ass dentist.
Another shout out to pediatric dentists!!! My 6yo thinks going to the dentist is the best because all she has ever been to is the pediatric dentist with the tablet up high and a coin for the candy machines full of tiny toys after. She has even contemplated dressing up as Dr Tierny from City Kids Dental in Lincoln Square in Chicago for Halloween which I feel is a real first grad stamp of dental approval. Of course, we also started with a baseline of very little medical anxiety, but she has only excitement and delight for the dentist.
LOLOLL I was just about to brag about OUR ped dentist when I saw that we see the same lady. Yes honestly sometimes I resent my kids' dentist experiences. They get screens and toys and are PILED with praise. I deserve a treat too imo.
I really want to share this resource for preparing for shots that worked fantastically for my 9-year old. I had previously needed to physically restrain him for shots, but with this interactive "Poke Planner" he was able to plan ahead of time all the things that could help him stay calm. FANTASTIC resource, highly recommended. So much that when a friend told me this was an upcoming topic, I bought a subscription just to be able to share this with other witches!
As to the ‘one witchy thing’- I was that recorder kid, my mom took it away and never gave it back. Traumatic! Also- my oldest (8) is absolutely terrified of shots, she shut down our school’s flu shot clinic and needed full restraint and multiple teachers cheering her on. Front loading just gets her more freaked. Stuffed animals, rewards, etc don’t help. Fortunately just flu shots until middle school!!
As for dentist -- nitrous oxide is the single best thing that has happened for both my dental anxiety and my child's. I ask for it for any procedure beyond cleaning for both of us and it has been a game changer.
My 8 year old is a needlephobe and it was beginning to generalize to other medical settings; we found a therapist to work with her on exposure therapy and we are going VERY SLOW but it’s been miraculous. I’m hopeful that by next flu/booster season we’ll see some real progress. Plus now she has another trusted adult to talk to and I think all kids need that!!
My daughter is very shot phobic and the longer we are in the waiting period for it to happen, the more anxious she gets. I've told our providers that they need to do it as quickly as possible and to not let her have time to "get ready" because she escalates up and not down with time.
But we've also talked with her about this outside the context of shots and she has agreed that we should hold her and get it done quickly, which feels important too -- she can't meaningfully give consent when she is in full fight or flight mode, so we make sure to check in with her after.
Pediatric dentists are magical. I was skeptical but one visit completely converted me. We've moved but have still gone back to the old office cause they are so good. Also seconding screens for shots and tons of pretend play. We had a traumatic dr visit at ~2yrs and then spent a lot of time before the next one with the dr kit examining his stuffed toys and giving them shots. lots of 'ow ow ow that hurt!' and then hugs. Helped a lot and now at 4 he got shot with no tears at all! He's still nervous but it was so much better.
it helps too at the ped dentist to unclench knowing that however your kid reacts, they've seen it before. They exist for that reason. I feel so bad reading the stories of the folks whose kids have to go to the regular ass dentist.
Another shout out to pediatric dentists!!! My 6yo thinks going to the dentist is the best because all she has ever been to is the pediatric dentist with the tablet up high and a coin for the candy machines full of tiny toys after. She has even contemplated dressing up as Dr Tierny from City Kids Dental in Lincoln Square in Chicago for Halloween which I feel is a real first grad stamp of dental approval. Of course, we also started with a baseline of very little medical anxiety, but she has only excitement and delight for the dentist.
LOLOLL I was just about to brag about OUR ped dentist when I saw that we see the same lady. Yes honestly sometimes I resent my kids' dentist experiences. They get screens and toys and are PILED with praise. I deserve a treat too imo.
Going to the dentist is so different from when I was a kid! I’m jealous but at the same time it’s also nicer for adults at this point too.
Really just an A+ practice all around!!
I really want to share this resource for preparing for shots that worked fantastically for my 9-year old. I had previously needed to physically restrain him for shots, but with this interactive "Poke Planner" he was able to plan ahead of time all the things that could help him stay calm. FANTASTIC resource, highly recommended. So much that when a friend told me this was an upcoming topic, I bought a subscription just to be able to share this with other witches!
https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/2022/08/01/supermeg/
thank you!
As to the ‘one witchy thing’- I was that recorder kid, my mom took it away and never gave it back. Traumatic! Also- my oldest (8) is absolutely terrified of shots, she shut down our school’s flu shot clinic and needed full restraint and multiple teachers cheering her on. Front loading just gets her more freaked. Stuffed animals, rewards, etc don’t help. Fortunately just flu shots until middle school!!
I'm sorry your mom took away your recorder but I bet you know now she was right ;)
The teachers cheering thing sounds both sweet and also like maybe it would just add more pressure too!
The shot thing was a lose-lose situation, for sure! She was ‘in the red zone’ as we say 🤯.
As for dentist -- nitrous oxide is the single best thing that has happened for both my dental anxiety and my child's. I ask for it for any procedure beyond cleaning for both of us and it has been a game changer.
So I haven’t listened to this episode yet, but I’m obsessed with this child psychologist podcast about anxiety and she just put out an episode on medical anxiety and kids. Could be helpful! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flusterclux-with-lynn-lyons-for-parents-who-worry/id1506503059?i=1000597846087
My 8 year old is a needlephobe and it was beginning to generalize to other medical settings; we found a therapist to work with her on exposure therapy and we are going VERY SLOW but it’s been miraculous. I’m hopeful that by next flu/booster season we’ll see some real progress. Plus now she has another trusted adult to talk to and I think all kids need that!!
(We tried literally every at-home needlephobia resource to no avail. I do think they help for lots of kids but we were an extreme case)