"I don't know, Buddy. We'll have to wait and see what the doctor says."
"But do you think I'm going to have to get a shot?"
"Baby, I don't know. When the doctor comes in - he'll tell you."
I could see that our seven year old son Ethan was visibly worried. We were in the doctor's office and he was fidgeting with his hands and was unable to sit still. We were there for Ethan and his older brother Christian to have their annual check-ups.
The boys waited for the dreaded knock on the door, while our younger son and daughter covered pretty much the entire floor of the doctor's office - jumping and rolling around...constantly laughing. They were doing nothing to help ease Ethan's nerves and he turned to me again,
"Mom. I really don't want to get a shot, okay?"
"Okay, Buddy, I know. I can't tell you what's going to happen, but no matter what, it will be fine, alright?"
"Yeah...alright."
Just then, there was "the knock" and a nice nurse came in.
"Hi, am I going to get a shot?" Ethan asked before she could introduce herself. She looked through his records and smiled saying, "Not today! Nope, no shots for either one of you." I could see him smile and physically relax.
Both boys did well during their appointments once the "shot factor" was out of the way. Lord willing, we won't have to go back to see the doctor again until next year.
I remember how scary it was as a kid to think about getting a shot or having to get blood drawn. As necessary as it is, it can be a pretty big deal when you're young.
After all of the excitement from the visit and the worry of vaccinations, I'm glad that their annual check-ups are done. I'll have to say though, I'm even more glad that our seven year old little boy made it through the whole thing without a tear or a Band-Aid, but instead with a smile and a sticker.
Those are always the best check-ups of all.