Abby at the Lab

Abby is my 3 year old.  She is a sweet sweet child.  Always offering up hugs and kisses to her younger sister, dolls, mommy, daddy and even Murphy (the dog).  She is concerned about people when they cry or are upset and she is very aware of what is going on around her.

Abby has had a low grade fever for a while, so her Dr. and I decided it was time to get lab work done (boo hiss).

How do you prep young children for lab work.  How do you describe the needle they use to draw blood. And on my, how do you tell them they are going to take 5 vials.  I get lightheaded just thinking about it.

Based on some very helpful feedback from my facebook post, I asked that they give me the person who is best with kids.  I asked that they lay her down.  I armed Abby with an episode of Handy Manny on my iphone and a stuffed animal.  I told her to remain as still as possible.  I tried explaining what it might feel like and where the needle was going to go in.

When the needle went in she decided she wanted to watch the whole thing as opposed to watching Handy Manny. She cried, even reached screeching status at one point, but remained perfectly still. I was so proud of her.

I hate getting my blood drawn, and I mean hate it!  Watching it being done to my child is worse..

Once the technician was done, we couldn't get out of there fast enough.  Next stop, the local toy store..   She picked out a purse and a necklace and was happy as could be when I dropped her off at school. I hope we don't have to do that again any time soon...