Health appointments are just a part of life and something we all should be doing on a regular basis, but for kids they can feel like a big, scary thing to deal with, especially when you consider the unfamiliar setting, having to talk to strangers, and just not really understanding why they have to go in the first place. The good news for parents is that there are some great ways to make the experience easier for the children and for you, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out how to make health appointments less stressful for kids. This is a contributed post.
Talk About It Ahead Of Time
Surprises are brilliant when it comes to birthday parties and Christmas presents, but they’re not so great when it comes to important health appointments – in fact, making it a surprise can make the whole thing even more stressful, which is why talking to your child about it before you go makes sense – they’ll know they’ve got to go and they’ll also know why and how it’s all going to work.
The key is to make things age-appropriate so you don’t confuse or scare the children by getting too complicated for their age and understanding. And of course, you’ve got to be honest (don’t say it’s not going to hurt if it will, for example), but always focus on the positives of the appointment and explain why it has to be done, and that should help a lot.
Choose The Right Professionals
Picking a healthcare provider who knows how to connect with kids makes a massive difference – a pediatric dentist, for example, is actually trained to make dental visits less intimidating for little ones, and they’ll often have child-friendly offices with colorful decorations, toys, and perhaps even (tooth-friendly) rewards to help children feel a lot more comfortable. And parents will feel at ease too.
In fact, the same idea is true for most professionals in the healthcare industry, whether they’re general practitioners or specialists. So if you really want to help your child feel happier about their appointment, no matter what it might be for, you should always look for an expert who understands how to work with children and who can explain everything to them in the right way – that can go a long way to making the entire experience a much better and easier one.
Play Pretend
Role playing is a fantastic way to ease anxiety for kids, and it can make the experience a lot more fun, which means it’ll be easier to go again – in other words, you won’t have a struggle every time their appointment comes up. You can help by setting up a pretend doctor’s office at home, for example, and take turns being the patient and the doctor, and use toys and so on to explain what might happen. Or perhaps you can find something specific like a Lego set or a doctor’s kit to help out.
All of this is going to help your child feel a lot more familiar and relaxed about the appointment because they’ll have a better idea of what it’s going to be like and what they’ll be expected to do. And the fact that it’s a good way to spend some time together is definitely a bonus that can’t hurt!
Bring A Comfort Item
It could be a favorite stuffed animal, a cozy blanket, a special toy, a book… whatever it is, having a familiar and special something to hold onto can really do a lot to help kids feel secure, and in a strange situation like visiting a doctor or dentist, for example, it can definitely ease some anxiety.
Why? It’s because comfort items like these act as a little piece of home, and if you’re in an unfamiliar place doing unfamiliar (and potentially quite scary) things, that little piece of home can be invaluable. And that’s not just something that can help kids either; adults also often find something from home makes them feel better, so if you also have worries about visiting healthcare professionals, taking something with you, even if it’s hidden in a bag or pocket, might help.
Stay Calm
Perhaps you’ve heard the idea that kids are like sponges because they soak up everything around them, whether it’s information, words, or even feelings and emotions. In other words, they can pick up on your energy and that can be either a good thing or a bad one depending on how you’re actually feeling.
If you’re visibly anxious about the appointment, it’s highly likely your child will pick up on that and start to get more worried themselves – after all, if their parent, the one who’s supposed to be in control and their support, is feeling worried, why wouldn’t the child feel the same? So, even if you are nervous, you’ve got to calm yourself for your child – take some deep breaths, stay positive, and be confident, and your child will do the same.
Distract And Entertain
It’s not just the appointment itself that can be a problem – waiting rooms can be horrible places for kids, especially if the appointment is running late or you got there a bit early. Not only is it boring, but it also means they’ve got more time to think about (and worry about) what’s coming next.
As a parent, it’s your job to keep the little ones entertained while you wait, so come prepared with a bag packed with books, small toys, or perhaps a tablet loaded with games and videos (although if you do that, don’t forget the headphones too – you don’t want to annoy the other people in the waiting room). If you’re going to a pediatric office, you’ll usually find there are toys and distractions already in place, but it can never hurt to bring your own, just in case (plus, it’s another little home comfort that might help for various reasons).
And don’t forget you might also need to distract your child during the appointment as well – talk to them while the doctor or specialist is checking them over, and keep them focused on you so they don’t get so worried about the mechanics of the appointment itself.