How To Make Your Child Comfortable For Doctor Visits

Is your kid afraid of the word 'doctor'? Do you find yourself making up stories about where you are taking him/her before heading out for a doctor's appointment, only to face a tantrum at the end? It is very normal. Kids are kids, which means they are meant to dislike places that involve needles, bright lights, or strange atmospheres. Urgent care clinics or family clinics usually have a very sterile atmosphere that also has a distinct smell, which kids associate with family doctors or walk-in clinics. But what might surprise you, is the fact that many parents have now figured out ways around it. Yes, you heard that right. It is possible to make your child like visiting the family doctor's office.

Here's how you can make it easier for your child and normalize a family doctor's walk-in clinic or same-day appointment:

1. Make sure you prep them for it, but not too much

Many a time it is the parents who act nervous and anxious before a doctor's visit. Children are psychological mirrors of their surroundings. Hence, it would make sense why they pick up on those responses related to the word 'doctor' or 'appointment'. So make sure you familiarize them with the phrase and normalize it within your household as well. Get them ready for the appointment with a cheery spirit. Talk to them in positive affirmations instead of negative ones. For example, saying 'We are going to go get healthier!' or 'Your teeth will be clean after this!' is a much better way of letting your child know about a doctor's appointment than saying "Do not misbehave at the doctor's" or "It will not hurt at all".

2. Be honest:

Telling them lies about where they are going when taking them to the doctor will further push the narrative that the doctor's office is negative space. Instead, treat it as a normal day out, by letting them know where they are being taken to.

3. Bring activities along

Carrying a coloring book, a puzzle, or their favorite toy with them is a good idea. That is because it perpetuates a sense of familiarity and fun. Kids usually associate these activities with pleasant emotions and memories. So bringing them to the family doctor's clinic or a same-day appointment takes the weight off of you for preparing them in advance for the visit. This also keeps them engaged, making sure that they are not bored or bothered.

4. Give them a sense of choice

This is especially useful in procedures that cause physical pain or discomfort to the child. For example, asking the child on which arm he/she wants their blood pressure taken, can make them think that they are in control. Children, like adults, feel comfortable in situations where they feel they can exercise choice. Hence, even though illusionary, asking for their consent or choice in obvious matters helps them get comfortable at a family clinic.

5. Control your emotions

It is difficult to see your child in pain. But as discussed earlier, children usually learn to react to things from their parents. They recognize which actions merit a response, and what kind. So when you get worried and anxious about something, they get worried and anxious about it too. This causes them even more discomfort than they would've originally gone through. So make sure you stay resilient throughout and play it cool.

6. Praise them afterward:

Always tell them positive words of encouragement after they do something that was deemed emotionally challenging for them. Saying things like "you did great!" or "you were amazing back there!" can help them see it as a healthy challenge if nothing else.

Our Providers and Physicians at

Phoenix Family Medical Clinic

treat and provide care for kids with ADHD.

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