If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling a toddler into the car while trying to explain (for the hundredth time) that the doctor is not, in fact, out to get them… you are not alone, my friend. But I’m happy to report that today’s appointment with my daughter went smoother than a milkshake from In-N-Out—and yes, we did celebrate with one.

I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years and with each new addition, that help make doctor visits a whole lot less traumatic—for both kid and parent. Today I put those strategies into play, and let me tell you, they worked like magic.

No tears. No meltdowns. And no bribery required.

Here’s how to make your child’s next appointment a breeze:

Talk It Out (In Kid Language)

Inform your child about the upcoming visit ahead of time. Surprises can heighten anxiety, so giving them time to process and ask questions is beneficial. Try to explain what will happen during the visit in simple terms.

I gave my daughter a heads-up this morning and explained everything in kid-friendly terms. No surprises, no scary jargon. I didn’t say “The doctor’s going to jab you with a needle,” I said, “She might do a little poke that feels like a pinch, and I’ll be right there with you.”

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Comfort Crew, Assemble

Allow your child to bring a beloved item to the appointment. Familiar objects can provide a sense of security in unfamiliar settings.

She brought her favorite stuffie from home as her companion. It’s amazing what a little piece of home can do in a sterile exam room full of weird instruments and overly cheerful wall murals.

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Perfect Timing

Arrange appointments during times when your child is typically well-rested and fed to minimize irritability.

We scheduled the appointment first thing in the morning (after breakfast, of course) —so she wasn’t tired or hangry. Those two things alone can make or break any outing with kids, as I’m sure you already know.

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Positive Reinforcement

Acknowledge your child’s bravery and cooperation during the visit. Consider a small reward afterward, like a sticker or a trip to the park, to associate the experience with positive outcomes.

After doing so well—behaving during the check-up, answering the nurse’s questions like a champ, and sitting still (mostly) for her shot—she got to choose a sticker from the nurse. And yes, we followed it up with a trip to In-N-Out.
Because if surviving the doctor doesn’t earn you animal-style fries, what does?

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Tried and True Tips

You should always share any specific fears or previous negative experiences your child has had with the healthcare team. This allows them to tailor their approach to your child’s needs.

Whenever possible, schedule appointments with the same doctor to build a trusting relationship over time. This also applies when scheduling dentist visits.

If You Have More Than One Child

Schedule your kids appointments back to back. Just tell the front desk that you’d like to schedule all future appointments so all your kids get seen at once. They’ll still have to stagger the appointment times but typically will keep you in one room. This will save you from the stress of having to plan around multiple different appointments.

Doctor visits don’t have to be stress-inducing chaos. With a little prep and empathy, you can turn them into a chance to teach resilience, build trust, and maybe even snag some fries along the way.

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