A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

The past few months we have had lots of Doctors and Dentist appointments.  These used to go HORRIBLY!!!  Screaming, crying, flailing.....just plain hysterics!  Something has changed now and they really look forward to going to see the Doctor and dentist.  I used to never tell the kids we were going so as not to upset them in advance and then they would just be surprised when we get there.  Well, I started taking a new approach.  Now, I tell them what we are doing and what is going to happen and why.   I took the twins in for their first official dentist appointment and teeth cleaning.  They had been in before to haves some things checked out that we wanted to know about, and it had been horrible.(prying their mouths open while they are twisting, screaming, and crying.)  However, it was time to start establishing a routine with our dentist.  So, I prepped them ahead of time.  I told them that we were going to the dentist, and she will ask you to open your mouth so she can make sure your teeth all look good. If you open your mouth every time and you do a really good job, you will be able to get a toy from the toy jar.  I also told them that Dr Yuri was our friend and that she misses them and really wanted to see them.  I don't know which of these things stuck or if it was just their age, but they climbed into the chair and opened their mouths and did great!  I was in shock!  Then, we had to go back the next week because Jaelyn had two cavities that needed filling.  I told her what was going to happen again, "Dr. Yuri is going to ask you to open your mouth and she will wear her silly glasses to look inside and it will be so much fun!!!  Then, you can get another toy from the jar."  They were both pumped about it!  Everything went smoothly and Jae's cavities were filled in 15 minutes.  She was so excited about it too!

  Same thing at the Dr.'s offices!  We go over what will happen using the little play Dr.'s kit and they are okay once we get there.  They now let the Dr. look in their ears, their nose, their mouth.  These things NEVER happened before!  Once, I forgot to go over it at home and we just talked about it on the way there.
  Now I do I prep them for everything.  It has been embarrassing a few times when we have had people over for play dates and my kids throw a fit about sharing their toys.  So, now we talk about this ahead of time.  Play dates go more smoothly now too!  I think that sometimes we don't give these little people enough credit.  They can handle things if they are prepared and now what to expect.  It is when something happens that is out of whack with their perception of the world or with what their expectations are, that they freak out and melt down.