Well, I heard the flu this year is particularly bad. Eleven people died in Western Washington alone from the flu and reading the news made me finally call the kids' doctor's office to book their flu shots appointment. I've decided to book it in a single appointment taking all four kids in at the same time on last Sunday. I thought having the two of us would be better than me taking one or two kids at a time.
After breakfast, we told the kids to put their coat on. "Why? Where are we going?", Sean asked with inquisitive eyes. "We are going to get measured," I said avoiding using the word "doctor" or worse "shots". That brought up more questions from the him.
Sean: What do you mean measured?
Me: Well, it's been a while since you went to get your measurement and we need to find out how big you have gotten.
Sean: Why do we need to do that?
Me: We all have to get measured every once in a while. Particularly, kids need to be because you guys grow very quickly.
Still not convinced but my answers kept him busy thinking. He put his coat on and got in the van. The girls had no idea where they were going, but they seemed content to go on a "weekend outing" with the whole family. Noah particularly looked very happy and was smiling all the way to the doctor's office. Mike and I looked at each other and giggled, feeling a little sorry for the kids. We quietly discussed who should get the shot first. We agreed that since Noah is less aware of what is going on, he should go first, then Saya because she tends to be less of a hassle, and whoever less distressed would go next. We brought all the entertainment media available to distract the kids.
We cannot be more ready than this, I thought.
When we arrived to the doctor's office, we immediately herded the children to the fish tank. Thank goodness for the fish tanks at doctor's offices. It's a must have for every dentist and doctor's office out there. "Wooo, which fish do you like the most?" "What do you think would be a good name for that fish?" I can bombard the kids with questions and when they get bored, there are always bubbles! Kids on the spectrum in particular love staring at the bubbles going up in the water. The endless spectacle of sparkly marbles dissipating up to the surface mesmerize them and their thoughts are occupied. The fish tank in the waiting room is great in so many ways!
"Sean?" called the nurse from the door and hurriedly added "Alyson, Noah and Saya" after double checking her clipboard. I felt like we were the half of the crowd in the waiting room. "So, we are here for flu shots, aren't we?", the nurse said as we walked in to the room. My heart pounded a little bigger and I forgot to exhale. If my children were cats, they would have had all their back hair standing and hissing with arched back. Sean was becoming hysterical by seconds and the girls were terrified watching Sean's reaction to the news. As planned, I rolled up Noah's sleeve first and had him go first. He was crying but it ended swiftly as planned. Saya was screaming and was wiggly as a terrified piglet, but Mike was able to hold her down and the nurse did her thing pretty quickly. We were on a battle zone mode by then and were moving quickly to the next target, Alyson. She ran outside the room and we had to bring her back. I felt sorry for her but we knew the time was crucial in this game. By the time we held her, she said in a determined voice "I will do it!" like she decided to be brave. There were no tears from her from then on. What a brave girl!
And there was Sean. He was screaming as loud as he could and was panicking. We felt terrible for him as we knew he could not control his fear. Mike stepped up a big time, talking to him calmly about how brave Russell Wilson is. Russell Wilson is the Seahawk's quarterback who is Sean's hero at the moment. He explained that it hurts very much to be tackled in football more than a flu shot. "Russell Wilson doesn't complain about the pain, does he?", he said and after much gentle persuading, Sean decided to do it. Sean exclaimed "I can do it!" and although he was tense, he let the nurse give him the shot. Where are the flying confetti and champagne? Flu shot, I hope you were worth it. I was100% positive that we just played the most theatrical drama in that 10 minutes than any other families this season. Go Campbells!
For next year, I won't be doing the four kids four shots in one visit anymore. It sort of had the slaughter house effect, waiting to get poked after seeing it done was way too hard for the kids. We were exhausted by the time it all ended and kids were begging to go home. These are the things I want to remember since it's going to make a good dinner conversation with my future son or daughter-in-laws. Now it's all recorded for our future pleasure! Aren't you so lucky, kids!?
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