• No one likes getting shots. Sadly for kids, they need to have them. As parents, we hate to see them cry, but we are rational and understand that it’s for the greater good.

    Your five year old, may not be so understanding. Last week I had to take my five year old in for her well visit. She was already dreading the shots. I didn’t want her to cause a scene, or to freak out. I wanted her to understand that shots are just a part of life, and that I know they suck too. So, to help I took her to my appointment to get my flu shot. I showed her how I didn’t have to look if I didn’t want to. I was the example of how to act. I didn’t cry, after all, because it only hurts for a second.

    She held my hand, and even though I could tell she was a little scared, she made it through okay

    She helped me to be brave by holding my hand, and afterwards we went out for an ice cream cone. The deal we made was that we would do the same for her. If she got her shots and was brave while holding my hand, I would take her out for ice cream. I hope that she can figure out that the anticipation of the shot hurts worse than the actual shot itself. With most things we parents have to do it all comes down to being the example.

    Our kids are little sponges who do everything that we do. And you know what? She did just fine. She held my hand, and even though I could tell she was a little scared, she made it through okay. We went for ice cream. She said it was the best ice cream she ever had, because now she knows that she’s brave. Apparently that makes ice cream taste better. I thought it was pretty good ice cream too. It seems being proud of your kids and how brave they are makes everything taste pretty darn good!