Cruel to be kind
By Fleur
@Fleura (34943)
United Kingdom
November 19, 2015 7:09am CST
This morning I had to take Little One for her booster vaccinations. This is something I hate doing, I feel so cruel even though, of course, it’s for her own good. I did explain that they protect her from getting ill or even dying in future, and that we have all had them (in fact we had to have more because the combined vaccinations were not around back in prehistory when I was little!) but of course that didn’t make her feel any better about the situation, she struggled and screamed. I don’t think it was the pain of the needle – after all she did the same for the ‘flu vaccine which is a squirt up the nose – but the indignity of it, the humiliation and the betrayal of this smiling person stabbing you.
Afterwards she was given a certificate and a sticker which said ‘I was brave today’. Well she certainly fought bravely against two much bigger foes, that’s for sure.
All rights reserved. © copyright Fleur 2015.
6 people like this
7 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
19 Nov 15
Sometimes doing the right thing is difficult! Glad she made it thru with flying colors.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
19 Nov 15
@Fleura My husband screamed a little when he got his flu shot!
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Nov 15
I think sometimes it's better not to tell them ahead of time, or at least not too far ahead of time. My kids always got their boosters as part of a full annual exam and it was always just at the end when the nurse would come in and suddenly introduce the subject. She usually asked them a question and while they answered, did the deed. Most shots don't really hurt. Although there are a few that do sting. The stickers and lollipops always helped.
2 people like this
@Fleura (34943)
• United Kingdom
19 Nov 15
I didn't tell her far ahead because I didn't want her to worry about it, but I did have to explain why we were not going straight to nursery this morning. I remember when I was at primary school, the nurses always worked in teams of two. They would sit either side of their victim and one would chat while the other stuck the needle in them on the other side. But you can bet although I replied politely to the one who asked me questions I never took my eyes off the one with the needle!
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
19 Nov 15
I have always hated having to take my kids for shots. I felt awful, but as you said I know they are needed so I did it.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
19 Nov 15
I might have struggled too and I'm in my 50's. The squirting up the nose sounds worse than the needles
1 person likes this
