Yesterday, I picked up my girls, S and N, from school to take them to get their flu shots. They knew they were going to the doc, but I hadn’t quite told them about the shots. I was expecting some serious drama once I dropped the bomb though. Here’s a small part of our conversation on the way to the pediatrician.
N: (the 4 year old): “Daddy, are we getting shots?”
Me: “Yes, just one, but it’ll be really quick.”
N: “Hmph. I don’t like shots.” (bottom lip drooping)
S: (the 7 year old): “But we have to get flu shots so we don’t get sick! Right Daddy?”
Me: “That’s right. And we must wash our hands often, don’t share cups with friends and cover our mouths when we sneeze or cough.”
N: “And we can’t pick our noses like my friend Holden. He picks his nose and eats the stuff from it.”
S: “Ewwwwwww! That’s gross!”
Me: “You’re right N. We don’t pick our noses.” (trying not to laugh)
S: “Daddy, will the shots hurt?”
Me: “Not really. It’ll be so fast you won’t even notice anything. Anyway, when we’re done, we’ll go to the mall.”
N: “Yayyyy! I love the mall so much!”
S: “Yes! I want to go to Macy’s! Can we buy something?”
When we were finally called to see the nurse, S decided that she wanted to go first. She jumped up on the table and raised her sleeve. I’m thinking “Yes! No drama!”
Nope. As soon as S sees the the needle, drama.
S: “Awwww, wawwwww! No!” (as I reach out to hold her hand)
The Nurse: “That’s it. We’re done.”
S: “What? That didn’t even hurt!” (looking surprised)
Me: “OK N, it’s your turn.”
N: “I don’t want to.” (quiet whiny voice, tears starting to flow)
Me: “Come on, it’ll be quick like your big sissy’s turn.”
I reached done and picked her up. She held me tight and the nurse quickly gave her the injection.
N: “That’s it Daddy? Is there blood” (wiping tears and trying to inspect her arm)
Me: “There’s no blood sweetie. You’re fine. So who wants to go to the mall?”
S and N: “Meeeeee!!!!”
Like I said, the mall heals all.
