Help!

[Dee4Christ]

My daughter, Kaylee (some of you may know her as Kaylee4Christ here on CF), is seeming to be terrified of the hospital lately. She does not like going there. How should I break it to her everytime she has doctor's appointments? Something to make it easier on her...

Blessings,
Dee

 

[Linnis]

From the time I was 11 until I was 16 I was at the hospital 5-6 days a week. At first we went to a regular hospital then switched to a children's hospital and I felt at home. Everyone is trained and everything looks less scary there. My mum also tried to make the day of it by us going for a bite to eat or for coffee(I got hot choclate) I liked the special time with my mum and felt special which made me less scared.

 

[Katydid]

I would seriously be asking what the cause for the fear is. I mean, it came on suddenly I am assuming, so there is some stimulus that caused it. This is what needs to be addressed first. Then you can find ways to ease the fear.

 

[bliz]

Ask her. Does she want to know in advance? Does she want very short notice? Are appointments better in the morning or later in the day? Does she want you to be cheerful and upbeat or matter of fact? What could you pair the trip with that she might like? Help her take responsibility for the visits and for making them more tolerable for herself.

 

[Dee4Christ]

Kaylee is 12. Thank you all so much!

Blessings,
Dee

 

[Princessperky]

I still, after 2 kids(and one on the way) and one tonselectomy, have a rather strong fear of hospitals, mainly due to now knowing what it is like, I visit before hand helped with the deliverys, and I think some knowledge of what was happening would have helped with the tonselectomy, but no one offered it.

I bet you could find a book about whatever the docs need is to help. and a tour of some more interesting things at the hospital to make it more than just for the visit or procedure, or whatever.

Practice for the shot worked with my DS, but he is a bit younger, essentially we replaced his natural reaction to pain, with 'doink' made him giggle and made the DR visit more fun.

 

[Beth1231]

Life can be shaky at twelve, especially when your body is changing and now some stranger in a white coat in a chilly room wants to "examine" you. Yikes. I was deathly afraid of doctors and hospitals at this age. I would ask Kaylee if her fear is pertaining to the whole hospital, a certain room or maybe a certain person. If it's possible, request a different room (with the door strategically placed so she can see if someone is coming while she undresses?) or if necessary, a different doctor. Seriously, if she doesn't like her actual doctor for whatever reason, I would help her find a kind, compassionate female doctor. Just some thoughts.