Feeling hot and not being able to sleep are both things that get worse when you notice them. And combined, dude, it's lethal. So you're laying there going, "It's warm. I'm hot. Oh no, it's hot! What am I gonna do? Maybe I won't be able to sleep. Oh no, I won't be able to sleep! How will I function tomorrow when it's hotter and I'm tired? Can't sleep too hot can't sleep too hot can't sleep..."
Commence downward spiral.
Nate experienced something like this today. Not the heat or sleep deprivation, but the increased torture that anticipating something difficult can bring. I took him today for his 4 year old immunizations. The bummer about immunizing older kids is that you can't just spring it on 'em like you can with a baby. I mean, no one likes doing that either, but let's be honest. It's a lot easier to take a 6 month old to get her shots than it is a 4 year old. Cause now you have to use reason. Which, in less sophisticated circles is known as bribery.
Nate's morning was already off to a shaky start when I broke the news to him. He started crying and asking whyyyyy. I briefly (very, very briefly) told him why he had to get immunized, that it was a instant's worth of hurt to keep him from pain that is a lot worse. (Hmmm. There's a sermon in there somewhere.)
And then I pulled out the big guns that no 4 year old boy can resist. I said, "I know you can be brave. Being brave doesn't mean that you're not scared or nervous. It means that you're scared or nervous, but you do it anyway. You are my big man. I know you are brave!" No dude wants to look wimpy in front of chicks--even his mom. So, Nate agreed to go, with a trembling lip, and said he would be brave.
Lest you think it was my stirring speech that gave him resolve, I'll burst that bubble. I also told him that he could get a toy from the nearby two dollar shop. "Two toys!" he said. "Two?" I said, skeptical, "I don't know about that, buddy." "Two toys--one big one and one little," was his counter-offer. Done.
So in case you're wondering, in today's economy, here is what 3 shots will get you. (If your mom is a total pushover):
One green ninja sword (with sheath!)
One pirate telescope
A handful of gummy candy from the doctor
And later, an outing with Daddy to the bakery
Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me! Within minutes of the last needle, Nate was brandishing that ninja sword and feeling no pain. But I have to say, he was brave.
I am going to bravely try and sleep now. Hope your day is free of pain. Or the contemplation of it.
(Disclaimer for the anti-ninja sword or anti-gummy worms or anti-immunization folks: Salient points. I totally hear you. And have read all those reports, too. However, this isn't so much a debatey kind of blog. But good on you for taking a stand! And have a good day!)
I think you handled that situation perfectly! Bless Nate's little heart.He is such a precious boy! I would have done the same thing with the toys. Oh, and good grief! Are yall still having summer?! I feel your pain.It IS miserable to try to sleep when you're hot. I sure do miss you all! I would buy you an air conditioner is you were on this continent.(See, bribery for big folks.)
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing--they get fast food lunch and an ice cream type dessert afterwards. They get a bunch of shots before Kindergarten and then they get a couple more the summer before 6th grade. So when they are 5 the summer before Kindergarten i say, "This is it for 6 years.
ReplyDeleteWhen the oldest was getting his the summer before 6th grade, the Middle was the summer before 4th grade and the doc said he could get his too. I said No, it is easier for me to stick to this particular routine.
Good negotiating, Nate!
Bless his heart! I think that bargain sounds very fair. And the shots are TERRIBLE once they're not babies anymore. Every time I take Hank to the doctor for the slightest thing, he says, "No shots?" I'm dreading the next round.
ReplyDeleteI think those sound like very reasonable terms, too. Good for Nate for being brave (and a fantastic negotiator.)
ReplyDeleteFor vaccinations, our pediatrician always makes the kids first gently squeeze their nose (no peeking at the injection site) and then he tells them to squeeze really hard at his signal, which is when he gives the shot. And actually it seems to work pretty ok. For the TB test prick, he would draw with an ink pen the outline of a bunny's head with bunny eyes but no nose. The nose he made with the TB test. They liked that one.
And some chicken nuggets afterward never hurt either.
Trying to sleep when it's hot is for the birds. The stickiness, the tossing & turning. Blech! Here's hoping for cooler nights for you.
I agree that you handled that very well and I'm willing to chip in on that air conditioner when you are on this continent! Love and miss y'all! XOXO
ReplyDeleteI have always been a big believer in mental and emotional compartmentali-
ReplyDeletezation. It has spared me lots of anguish over the years. The Bible tell us to not borrow trouble because every day has trouble sufficient unto itself. But, then of course there is always the Samuel Johnson quote, "The realisation that one is to be hanged in the morning concentrates the mind wonderfully."
Ma and Marie, if y'all really cared you'd FedEx one over this way! :) Luckily, the weather cooled down today. Thank God!
ReplyDeleteMicheleR, you have a good routine going! I like it. Yeah, here after this round they are done for about 5 or so years. Except for flu shots. But don't tell them that.
Sara! That nose thing is a good one--I'll use it for Nate's flu shot next month.The dr had Nate cough at the same time, which seemed to help too.
Dad, I'd not heard that quote before--love it! Yes, you are the master of compartmentalization, and I mean that in a good way. I don't know why I didn't get any of those genes. I worry when I'm not worrying enough--that maybe I'm forgetting something I ought to be concerned about.
You know all parents bribe. You're just brave enough to admit it ;).
ReplyDelete