Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Confession Time: I Lied To My Daughter

Yesterday was the boys' two year check-up. It took me four tries to get out of my driveway, but I did beat the snow and made it to town. We had told the kids that was what we were doing, and Emma wanted to make sure she was not getting tricked. She kept asking, "This is for the boys, right? I am not getting any shots today?" Between Marty and I, we probably told her twelve times that no, she was not getting a shot, just the boys. You can imagine how my heart dropped when the doctor mentioned that Emma had not gotten her flu shot this year, and it would be a really good idea with the new baby coming. How do you explain to a four year old that we didn't mean to, but we lied to her twelve times and she was actually getting a shot? I'll tell you how. Bribery. She go her flu shot, screaming the whole time (I can't blame her, she must have felt so betrayed and tricked) and then she got to go to the McDonald's play area for lunch. By the time the shot was over, she was totally fine, but leading up to it was the worst tantrum we have seen since her flu shot last year. She went first which completely freaked out the boys for their shots, by the time we got to Grant he was crying before he sat on the table. I think he was so upset at the reaction of the other two he really didn't notice the shots themselves, which was good. Overall, Emma was happy with the outcome since she loves the McDonald's play area, but it was traumatic for all of us. As we left the exam room, I didn't realize we were right across from the nurse's station. We got a lot of looks of pity leaving that office, especially when they saw my big belly. I was so happy to get home and take a lovely nap. If only I could have had some wine to go with it...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I ran into that issue when Ashley had her 6 yr old exam. We promised she would not get any shots... forgetting it was time for the flu shot! DOH! Luckily she shed a couple tears and we were done with it. We went to get hot chocolate afterwards to celebrate! : ) Bribery is GREAT!!!

The Campbell Family said...

We took Cris for xrays on her hand and Em ended up getting a shot! We had to pin her down, I believe I blogged the horror. I too became a liar that day :)

Love my babes said...

I think they bigger they are the harder they cry. Corrin & Kolette both have to get shots and not the flumist b/c they have asthma. Let me tell you Corrin goes last b/c she is a pill! This year she actually cried when they gave Kolette hers and then Kolette started to cry. Grrrr... However well timed bribery is wonderful.