Blood Work

[ehtansky21]

We have to get blood work done on Ethan and I have no idea how to prepare him.
Do you just take them to the lab and tell them right before they do the poke?
Do you tell hours, days, weeks before the poke?
Please help....I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he already has been traumatized in the medical field.
Blessings,
Missa

 

[ehtansky21]

We have to get blood work done on Ethan and I have no idea how to prepare him.
Do you just take them to the lab and tell them right before they do the poke?
Do you tell hours, days, weeks before the poke?
Please help....I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he already has been traumatized in the medical field.
Blessings,
Missa

 

[ehtansky21]

We have to get blood work done on Ethan and I have no idea how to prepare him.
Do you just take them to the lab and tell them right before they do the poke?
Do you tell hours, days, weeks before the poke?
Please help....I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he already has been traumatized in the medical field.
Blessings,
Missa

 

[ehtansky21]

We have to get blood work done on Ethan and I have no idea how to prepare him.
Do you just take them to the lab and tell them right before they do the poke?
Do you tell hours, days, weeks before the poke?
Please help....I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he already has been traumatized in the medical field.
Blessings,
Missa

 

[ehtansky21]

We have to get blood work done on Ethan and I have no idea how to prepare him.
<br />Do you just take them to the lab and tell them right before they do the poke?
<br />Do you tell hours, days, weeks before the poke?
<br />Please help....I don't want to traumatize him anymore than he already has been traumatized in the medical field.
<br />Blessings,
<br />Missa

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
<br />By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."
<br />
<br />So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps
<br />
<br />Jenn
<br />30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."

So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.

Hope this helps

Jenn
30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[PedsNP2007]

Hi,
<br />By the time a child is 4 years old, the child understands future time and has an idea of time factor. A child that age is also big on pretend, so you can always use a stuffed animal and explain the procedure. Ie. if his teddy "Adam" is a favored friend... "Adam has to go to the doctor. The doctor needs to make sure he is doing well. Adam needs to have a test done. This test will hurt for a very little time. Adam is going to be very brave, but he may cry. His mommy will be with him and will give him a big hug during the test. Once the test is over, Adam can go see the doctor (or go home to play)."
<br />
<br />So you can tell Ethan beforehand. Now, your other son, you shouldn't say anything really since time is really not understood and that may just upset him more than anything. It's best to just tell him right before it's done.
<br />
<br />Hope this helps
<br />
<br />Jenn
<br />30 year old cf, peds nurse practitioner

 

[MicheleGazelle]

It depends in part on the child. I have one child who frets enormously beforehand -- whining endlessly -- then when the poke is over, it's over for him and all is well. I have figured out that all that whining is way of dealing with the stress of anticipation. Then I have another child who is very stoic, stiff-upper-lip, real trooper going in. And practically faints when they finally stick him and falls apart like a blubbering baby afterwards. It doesn't help that he didn't listen to me about making sure he ate and drank enough beforehand!

So if you have some idea that he can't stand suspense, I might tell him kind of late in the game about the blood draw and only mention that "we are going to the doctor" -- ie, don't lie to him but don't give too many details. But if you have some idea that he is the type of personality that will rail endlessly about being LIED to, mislead, can't trust you...etc....I would be as upfront and honest as possible.

Last, I will suggest that you work on getting yourself calmed down and talking with your own friends (or whatever you need to do) so you aren't a nervous wreck. Kids pick up on that and, generally speaking, if mom is upset, they conclude it's A Big Deal but if mom is calm they conclude it's not really a big deal, even if they find it upsetting. (What I call "keeping it a kid-sized problem".) I have found that how well I am coping with my own emotional reaction makes a very big difference in how my kids face things.

Good luck with this.

 

[MicheleGazelle]

It depends in part on the child. I have one child who frets enormously beforehand -- whining endlessly -- then when the poke is over, it's over for him and all is well. I have figured out that all that whining is way of dealing with the stress of anticipation. Then I have another child who is very stoic, stiff-upper-lip, real trooper going in. And practically faints when they finally stick him and falls apart like a blubbering baby afterwards. It doesn't help that he didn't listen to me about making sure he ate and drank enough beforehand!

So if you have some idea that he can't stand suspense, I might tell him kind of late in the game about the blood draw and only mention that "we are going to the doctor" -- ie, don't lie to him but don't give too many details. But if you have some idea that he is the type of personality that will rail endlessly about being LIED to, mislead, can't trust you...etc....I would be as upfront and honest as possible.

Last, I will suggest that you work on getting yourself calmed down and talking with your own friends (or whatever you need to do) so you aren't a nervous wreck. Kids pick up on that and, generally speaking, if mom is upset, they conclude it's A Big Deal but if mom is calm they conclude it's not really a big deal, even if they find it upsetting. (What I call "keeping it a kid-sized problem".) I have found that how well I am coping with my own emotional reaction makes a very big difference in how my kids face things.

Good luck with this.

 

[MicheleGazelle]

It depends in part on the child. I have one child who frets enormously beforehand -- whining endlessly -- then when the poke is over, it's over for him and all is well. I have figured out that all that whining is way of dealing with the stress of anticipation. Then I have another child who is very stoic, stiff-upper-lip, real trooper going in. And practically faints when they finally stick him and falls apart like a blubbering baby afterwards. It doesn't help that he didn't listen to me about making sure he ate and drank enough beforehand!

So if you have some idea that he can't stand suspense, I might tell him kind of late in the game about the blood draw and only mention that "we are going to the doctor" -- ie, don't lie to him but don't give too many details. But if you have some idea that he is the type of personality that will rail endlessly about being LIED to, mislead, can't trust you...etc....I would be as upfront and honest as possible.

Last, I will suggest that you work on getting yourself calmed down and talking with your own friends (or whatever you need to do) so you aren't a nervous wreck. Kids pick up on that and, generally speaking, if mom is upset, they conclude it's A Big Deal but if mom is calm they conclude it's not really a big deal, even if they find it upsetting. (What I call "keeping it a kid-sized problem".) I have found that how well I am coping with my own emotional reaction makes a very big difference in how my kids face things.

Good luck with this.

 

[MicheleGazelle]

It depends in part on the child. I have one child who frets enormously beforehand -- whining endlessly -- then when the poke is over, it's over for him and all is well. I have figured out that all that whining is way of dealing with the stress of anticipation. Then I have another child who is very stoic, stiff-upper-lip, real trooper going in. And practically faints when they finally stick him and falls apart like a blubbering baby afterwards. It doesn't help that he didn't listen to me about making sure he ate and drank enough beforehand!

So if you have some idea that he can't stand suspense, I might tell him kind of late in the game about the blood draw and only mention that "we are going to the doctor" -- ie, don't lie to him but don't give too many details. But if you have some idea that he is the type of personality that will rail endlessly about being LIED to, mislead, can't trust you...etc....I would be as upfront and honest as possible.

Last, I will suggest that you work on getting yourself calmed down and talking with your own friends (or whatever you need to do) so you aren't a nervous wreck. Kids pick up on that and, generally speaking, if mom is upset, they conclude it's A Big Deal but if mom is calm they conclude it's not really a big deal, even if they find it upsetting. (What I call "keeping it a kid-sized problem".) I have found that how well I am coping with my own emotional reaction makes a very big difference in how my kids face things.

Good luck with this.

 

[MicheleGazelle]

It depends in part on the child. I have one child who frets enormously beforehand -- whining endlessly -- then when the poke is over, it's over for him and all is well. I have figured out that all that whining is way of dealing with the stress of anticipation. Then I have another child who is very stoic, stiff-upper-lip, real trooper going in. And practically faints when they finally stick him and falls apart like a blubbering baby afterwards. It doesn't help that he didn't listen to me about making sure he ate and drank enough beforehand!
<br />
<br />So if you have some idea that he can't stand suspense, I might tell him kind of late in the game about the blood draw and only mention that "we are going to the doctor" -- ie, don't lie to him but don't give too many details. But if you have some idea that he is the type of personality that will rail endlessly about being LIED to, mislead, can't trust you...etc....I would be as upfront and honest as possible.
<br />
<br />Last, I will suggest that you work on getting yourself calmed down and talking with your own friends (or whatever you need to do) so you aren't a nervous wreck. Kids pick up on that and, generally speaking, if mom is upset, they conclude it's A Big Deal but if mom is calm they conclude it's not really a big deal, even if they find it upsetting. (What I call "keeping it a kid-sized problem".) I have found that how well I am coping with my own emotional reaction makes a very big difference in how my kids face things.
<br />
<br />Good luck with this.