Surviving a Trip to the Doctors with Your Toddler

Have you ever had a bad experience taking your toddler to the doctors? There was a time when my child started crying when we pulled into the parking lot of our doctors office. Walking him through the door was like trying to put a Saint Bernard that had a fear of water in a bathtub. Suddenly it seemed as if my child had super strength as he grabbed onto the door cases with both arms and legs. By the time we got in side and checked in he was in a full blown melt down. Once finally into the tiny room where we waited for the doctor, I was exhausted and he still carried on. I knew something had to be done there is no way I could endure years of this with him and his sibling.

Listed below I have 5 tips for making the doctors office a more pleasant experience with your toddler:

Ease your child's fear of going to the doctors by talking about what happens at the doctors at home first. Buy your child a little play set so they can play doctor with you. Have them hop on your home scale so they see that it is okay. Show them the thermometer and actually use it on them so they can see first hand that things are not that bad. If you make some of these things part of your daily routine it will become second nature to your child.

Read them a book about going to the doctors. Little Critter and many other popular book characters go to the doctors. Some of the more popular children shows (Olivia, Curious George, and Clifford) out there also address the fear of a child going to the doctors or dentist for the first time. Sometimes children need to feel like they are not alone. At times it is easier for children to relate to someone in a book or even on television.

When you get to the doctors hop up on the scale first or let the doctor take your blood pressure. If you make it okay then your child should respond. Ask the doctor if it is okay if your child holds a tongue depressor and looks in their mouth. Just being included in the whole process works for some children.

Bring crayons for that crinkly paper on the table. Some children are scared of the paper simply because of the noise and it is so different. Since the paper is removed and changed after each patient have no fear about letting your little one color all over it. You can also bring stickers and let your child make their masterpiece. It works as a great distraction for when you are talking to the doctor.

Reward them for good behavior. Yes there is a fine line between bribing your child and rewarding them. We all like rewards though don't we? I know I work better if there is an incentive. If they were good at the doctors I do not see how it will hurt to let them have a pack of their favorite fruit snacks or a small trinket toy on the way home. The day my son behaved at the doctors I wanted to buy him a whole swing set I was so grateful.

These are some of the things that have worked with my oldest son. It took some time and effort to convince him that the doctor was not some bad man, but we have finally done so. One of the greatest things about it, is his sibling sees how well behaved he is at the doctors so now he follows suit.