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 Clinictreat and provide care for kids with ADHD.