Do you give "rewards" for doctor appointments?

[alien_host]

Lately I seem to be bribing or surprising my DD with something after a doctor appointment...the most recent was her 5 year well visit. We have a few appointments this summer with specialists and I bought some of those Disney princess dolls at Disney Store for $6. I don't usually allow her to pick something at the store, usually it is something that I bought on sale and I keep it in the trunk when we go to the doctor.

The last time we went she had blood drawn and it was a fiasco...she was so upset, so I had a toy in the car waiting for her and me telling her I had something for her got her to cooperate/calm down.

I know this is probably a slippery slope/bad idea but do other mamas give "rewards" or other items for doctor's appointments? I don't think she expects it at this point and I guess I don't want to get to that point, KWIM?

Thoughts?

[g-mama]

Hmmm....well, it's not a set thing, but if they get shots, I usually will let them get a treat at the cafe in the lobby of the building. It's usually an Otis Spunkmeier cookie, a Rice Krispy treat, something like that.

[egoldber]

For a regular appointment no, I don't. Not even one with shots, but my kids don't really mind shots that much.

But for a blood draw, especially a traumatic one, you betcha! I think it does help them to be able to focus on a reward/prize at the end. I also did it for allergy scratch testing for my older DD.

I have also given a prize to older DD when she had to take an especially nasty tasting antibiotic for 10 days.

[alien_host]

For a regular appointment no, I don't. Not even one with shots, but my kids don't really mind shots that much.

But for a blood draw, especially a traumatic one, you betcha! I think it does help them to be able to focus on a reward/prize at the end. I also did it for allergy scratch testing for my older DD.

I have also given a prize to older DD when she had to take an especially nasty tasting antibiotic for 10 days.

The blood draw at her 5YO appointment was a nightmare...two different nurses had to try...she was so pi$$ed, so I was glad I had a toy in the car! I've also done the prize after the antibiotic thing too (10+ days of augmentin (sp?) blech!)....and we do the allergy scratch testing which is traumatic.

[carolinamama]

Not for a regular checkup or something. But DS1 had a blood draw this week that was traumatic and he definitely got to pick a treat after that one. Hopefully it helped him to focus on something else alittle bit.

As an aside, what I found really funny was that we ran into Walmart afterward as it is right down the street from the dr. He could basically choose almost anything within reason. He wanted a dinosaur figure that was $1. My wallet got off easy on that one!

[TwinFoxes]

Not yet, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it, especially if it's a difficult appointment.

[BabyMine]

I don't know why but I have never thought of giving them rewards. M gets the standard sucker at the end but that's it.

[Meatball Mommie]

I don't usually allow her to pick something at the store, usually it is something that I bought on sale and I keep it in the trunk when we go to the doctor.


We do exactly this. Same price range too. My boys HATE shots - even though they know a toy is in the trunk waiting, we still need to hold them down to do it. Nightmarish. The only time we go to the dr is for their annuals and for flu shots, so the toy in the trunk is the norm.

When we have gone in for sick visits (rare, both boys are really healthy) they know that there's no shot involved, so no toy after. Sick visits = medicine (not a shot); Well visits = shot (although I think after DS1's 6 year appt, we'll be shot free for a while!)

They don't get toys for the dentist, although I did promise them a goldfish if they get a no cavity report this year. They don't get toys randomly either, birthdays and Xmas only, so I don't see the harm in what we do, although I agree that it could be a slippery slope for some.

[smiles33]

What timing! I was just thinking about this because DD1 HATES the dentist and has to get a cavity filled on Monday. They plan to strap her down on a papoose board! Is there any toy I can give her that will compensate for that torture? I don't think so. DH and I haven't even told her about the appt, as I don't want to have to throw almost 40 pounds over my shoulder (I'm the lucky one bringing her).

Normally, she gets a sticker from our ped after shots, so that's her reward. I do often give her a treat after the dentist because it helps get her to stop screaming and stop struggling to sit up. I still have to hold her arms and legs down.

Ironically, it's often something sweet and last time, right after we discovered she had a cavity, it was a pretty purple flower lollipop!

[khalloc]

I've given an edible treat, like candy, lollipop, etc...but only if shots are involved.

[Moneypenny]

No, I never have. She does get a sticker from the nurse, and there was a time the nurse gave her a little bracelet because DD politely thanked her for the fancy bandaid after she got her vaccination. If DD had a particularly tough visit and had done her best throughout, I wouldn't be opposed to getting her a little treat, but for normal visits (even with shots), I just expect her to behave pretty well. Luckily, she complies with my expectations in that area, lol!

[geochick]

Why not? It's not an every day thing, and it helps the kid on a rough day. I don't reward my kids for taking their dishes to the sink after a meal, I don't reward them for making their bed in the morning, but I see no harm in the occasional reward for being tough at the doctor...once a year.

Our Ped is in a clinic. We have to pass the pharmacy on the way into the Ped's office. My kids know that the doctor will give them a sticker after their appointment, and I'll get them a $5 or less prize in the pharmacy store if they have to get shots or have a blood draw.

[nrp]

I haven't made it a practice at routine doctor's appointments, even with shots, but I'm definitely not opposed to it. I am in the camp that it is not an everyday thing, so if it helps, why not.

We did do a toy reward for DD when she had her stitches in last week, and then another one on Wednesday when she got them out. We actually gave her the toy (a princess playset that I'd had in my closet for awhile that she knew about and had been eyeing) before we went to the doc to get her stitched, and it kept her happily distracted for much of the time we were waiting. When we got the stitches out we went to Target just before and she picked something out (a similar princess doll/set), and we talked a lot about her getting after her appointment for sitting still for the doc. It worked well!

[sste]

We don't . . . but our pediatrician does! He is an older pedi and he literally has the white coat with pockets jammed with lollipops. This has made a HUGE positive impression on DS since age 1.5, esp. since its really the only time he gets lollipops.

I am not opposed to the toy reward but I would worry a bit about accumulating household clutter and your DC possibly going bananas if there is an emergency pedi or sick visit and you don't have a toy reward.

A few healthcare providers have suggested to me that gentle pressure gripping of the opposite arm or a leg during the shot greatly diffuses the perception of pain - - basically more sensations coming in the less the patient focuses on the painful one.

[maestramommy]

The ped office we go to has a jar of stickers, so the girls know they get a sticker at the end of the visit. I also bring lollipops if it's vax day. I figure they deserve it because they are SO GOOD during a shot. That's it.

[doberbrat]

nope. they get a sticker at the end of the appt and thats it. I really really try to avoid the whole "bribary" thing.

[hillview]

Shots have been a candy bar (which is only at halloween or for shots so far for us).
/hillary

[AngelaS]

Nope. We all have to learn to behave appropriately even when the situation is icky.

[swissair81]

Only for DD1 (she has a major shot phobia & keeping her from kicking the nurse is rather challenging). She got a slurpee for being good during her shot. Otherwise, just stickers. My younger kids do not need to be bribed.

[tiapam]

Just Dairy Queen after the dentist. DD was giving me a lot of trouble there. Problem solved. She is fine at the doctor's, so no need for bribes there.

[schrocat]

Nope... never. It's just a doctor's appointment even if it comes with shots. They do get to choose a sticker at the doctor's office at check out though.

[nov04]

Regular appts, no. Painful ones at the hospital, yes.

One summer, dd1 got cath'd at least 10 times (I lost count!). She's had more than her fair share of appts. We did lots of toys. They do very well at the ped. now and there's no need there.

[MichelleRC]

We have a "treasure box" at home (we have a points-based rewards) system, and if they are good at the Dr. they can pick something from there. Or stop for ice cream. Depends on the kid and the day.
I am all about rewarding a job well done or some great behavior since I like to reward myself for those things, LOL!

[jess_g]

We do cookies at the bakery afterwards, expspecialy for blood draws as my son hates them and they always seam to have one nearby. I think a little something afterwards is
not that bad. My mom always let me goto the bakery near the pedi's office and pick out some cookies afterwards. It got me through a lot of shoots so I don't mind doing it with my kids either. Now I think of it as a tradition.

Jessica.