We took my little girl to her 1 year checkup recently. These scheduled visits are always a mixed bag of emotions for me. On one hand I want to know how much she’s grown, and hear reassurances from the medical man that we’re doing good. On the other hand I know my little one is going to be in pain from the multiple needle pokes within the next few minutes.
I played with her and made her laugh moments before the nurse came in. She was in a great mood, laughing, clapping, and chirping, oblivious to the sharp objects being prepared on the table beside her. Then came the finger poke for some test or other. The nurse squeezed her tiny fingers repeatedly until my baby’s blood filled a little glass tube. I was so proud of her. She was more curious than afraid. Then the nurse asked me to lay the baby down for her shots. Three shots in rapid succession. Two in one leg, and one in the other. The nurse has always been good at this. She was fast, efficient, and caring.
The little girl’s demeanor changed after the first needle. The betrayed look was almost more than I could stand. It wasn’t until the third needle that she started crying, and the tears began to flow. I knew all this was for her own good, but I don’t like hearing her pitiful sobs amid gasping for breath. I hugged her tightly when it was all over.
I quickly took her out of the room for a change of scenery, and to let her play with the toys in the waiting room. More distraction on my part to distance her from what just occurred. She started playing happily, and probably already forgot the episode, but I still felt pretty rotten about my part in the deception and distraction. I always do.
Oh, man that’s a bad feeling. Zoe made it worse for us one year as she looked up at the nurse and through her tears and sobbing and with a brave face told the nurse, “Thank You.”
Broke my heart!
Ed (zoesdad)s last blog post..The Only Good Snake…..
Oh my, and what a precious wee face. ouch!
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..Quod erat demonstrandum
@Ed (zoesdad) –
Yeah, on the exterior we’re all sandpaper and carborundum, but where it counts they’re probably tougher than we are.
The “betrayed look” is the worst part of all for me. Seeing that look is worse than the needle itself.
orlunds last blog post..Simple Clam Chowder For Wife
So true, so very true. And somehow it’s far worse to inflict this on your little girl. It wasn’t nearly as heart-rending when time came for my son to get needle pokes and blood draws. He gets the “be brave, little man!” speech.
toms last blog post..The Inscrutable Michael
Oh I hear ya! What’s worse is holding an 8 year old down who’s nearly as tall as you (keep in mind I’m barely 5’1″…)!!! Absolute NIGHTMARE and then I feel HORRID afterwards!!
I hate it when my kids have to get shots. They go berserk at the sight of a needle. I have to physically restrain them so the nurse can give them their shots.
Mocha Dads last blog post..36 Hours in Dubai
Poor kid, I don’t like it when our son has to get a shot either.
thejoereviews last blog post..The Fred Show
She’s beautiful! That guilt is always breaking. This sounds terrible, but by the time they are teens you almost wish you could order extra shots some days (you still love them, but they deserve it).
WeaselMomma´s last blog post..Who Would Like To Soil Themselves?