Flu Shots for Everyone

So, we went to the doctor’s office today for Camden’s 3-year-old check-up. He is healthy and growing well. While we were there they ended up having all of the boys get their flu shots, which I wasn’t planning on today, but at least we don’t have to go back for a separate appointment for them. The other children in the waiting room were probably rather frightened by all the commotion, though. When Kolby overheard the nurse mentioning that they were all going to get their flu shots today, he started to say he didn’t want a shot. Then when the nurse came in to do them, Eli started crying hard. He was backing up into the corner and crying, and I just had to pick him up and hold him down so we could give him the shot. At that point Kolby was really upset. I looked up and saw him open the door and I had to chase him down the hall of the doctor’s office and carry him back in, crying hard and struggling all the way. I held him tight and we gave him his shot. (He’s getting pretty strong, I wonder how many more years I will be able to physically force the kids to do things like that when they are so upset that they will not do it? Hopefully by the time he’s a few years older he will be a little more calm for things like this. But honestly I can’t really blame him – I’ve always hated shots and I still get quite tense before getting a shot or getting my blood drawn, although I kind of had to get used to that with all the pregnancies). Anyways, Camden was scared after his brothers threw such a fit, but he didn’t cry for more than a few minutes before and after his shot. And Isaac was fine and didn’t cry until after he got his shot, and then calmed down a minute or so later. And Courtland winced a bit as he got his shot, but didn’t make a peep. What a difference! I’ve never made a big deal of the kids getting shots at the doctor’s office and they’ve never really had trouble with being nervous or scared before, except I do remember Kolby was pretty upset when he got his shots at his 5-year-old check-up. But I guess they’re getting old enough now to remember the last time they got the shots. And I suppose it doesn’t help much when their brothers are screaming bloody murder and running down the halls of the doctor’s office . . .