Preparing Toddlers and Preschoolers for a Trip to the Doctor

There are some challenges of parenting that no parenting books or advice columns seem to want to touch-one of those realities is helping to guide parents in preparing toddlers and preschoolers for trips to the doctor. When my own children were tiny, there were weeks when it felt like we were at the doctor's office every other day! Experience taught me a few "tricks" for making trips to the doctor as painless as possible:

Even if your doctor or pediatrician has a "child-friendly" office-with plenty of books and toys, it is a good idea to have your own "doctor bag." By keeping a special bag with books, toys, and treats that only gets hauled out for trips to the doctor, you can have something special for your child or children to focus on at the doctor's office. Be sure to make changes and add new items to your doctor bag periodically so it doesn't get stale. I used to keep some play "equipment" such as stethoscopes, bandages, and other doctor-themed things to keep the bag interesting. You can include children's books that focus on going to the doctor in your bag just to reinforce the experience.

I am a big believer in honesty. Telling children exactly what will happen at the doctor, reminding them of how things unfolded on previous visits, and being both age-appropriate and complete are all ways to take the mystery and fear out of the trip. Children may forget previous experiences or only remember a scary experience and not the more pleasant ones. By acknowledging the fear, but reminding your child of all the times when he or she had a relatively uneventful trip to the doctor (or a sibling's trips to the doctor)-you'll be able to give your child a sense of control and accomplishment, and alleviate some of the fear and trepidation that goes along with being unsure about what will happen. Try to explain things simply and chronologically-"First, we'll walk into the office and tell the people at the desk who we are, then we'll sit down in the waiting room and play, etc." Make sure you are as honest as possible and if you don't know what will happen exactly, it's far better to say that than make something up that turns out to be untrue.

Having something to look forward to AFTER the doctor's visit is a classic parent's tool too. It doesn't have to be something expensive or a trip for ice cream-stopping off for a half hour at the park (if the child is feeling well enough) or extra books at story time may be enough to put the focus on the reward coming at the end of something challenging. I think this also helps children develop a sense of how to encourage and reward themselves for facing difficult situations.

On a final note, try to schedule doctor's appointments when you know your child won't be too tired or hungry or fussy. This can be one of those things that is out of your hands if you are just trying to get in to the next available appointment slot. If you'll be at the doctor's office during a usual nap or meal time, be prepared with snacks and a beverage, or a soft blanket and small pillow. Fussy, crabby, sick children have a much harder time dealing with the waiting and insecurity of the doctor's office than when they are rested and fed.