The 3 year-old boy looks at me with big round eyes, then starts screaming at the top of his lungs.
And there goes my golden opportunity to build rapport with my little patient :(.
How many times have I heard parents of young ones misusing my scary identity (i.e., the one with authority to poke a needle into their kid's bum) to threaten their children for their own short-term gain? Countless number of times!
As a doctor and mother of two, I have never EVER threatened my own two kids with the syringe and needle. No matter how they misbehave.
The reason is simple: doctors are good human beings. And you want your kids to be able to differentiate between good and bad people instead of "labelling" them blindly.
Associating doctors or nurses with everything negative would condition the kids' minds to think that these are bad people, so the next time they see a healthcare staff in white uniform or stethoscope pass by, they would automatically cower.
Here are a few tips to minimize their trauma the next time you need to take your little ones for a visit to the clinic:
1) Purchase a doctor toy kit and invite your child to role play. For example: "Alyssa, let's play 'doctor-doctor'. You be the doctor, mama jadi orang sakit.
Hmm, Dr Alyssa, I have a cough. Can u please check me? (Let her auscultate your chest with her toy stethoscope). And I have a sore throat. (Let her shine a torchlight down your throat). That way, they would have a "feel" of what is going on in a doctor's mind - nothing monstrous!
2) Let them watch Doc McStuffins over and over again :)
3) Instead of associating doctors with "cucuk", try describing them from a more positive angle. "Daniel, remember on our last visit to the clinic, the doctor gave you a sticker for being a brave boy. I was so proud of you!"
4) Buy story books with pictures that illustrates visits to the doctor. That way, the child knows what to anticipate during the visit.
5) Offer them something to look forward to after the visit. As soon as you exit the consultation room, shower your child with praises, and plenty of hugs and kisses. Afterwards, take them to the playground or the ice-cream store for some goody treats.
How you indoctrinate your child from young will shape your child's judgement and perception of other people as they grow older. Teach them from a young age to regard everyone with respect and compassion, not unnecessary fear or hatred towards other innocent beings.
Hope this helps :). Share if you find this useful.
How you indoctrinate your child from young will shape your child's judgement and perception of other people as they grow older. Teach them from a young age to regard everyone with respect and compassion, not unnecessary fear or hatred towards other innocent beings.
Hope this helps :). Share if you find this useful.
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