A Dentist Story
So, I mentioned recently that having a 3 year old is kicking my butt. This is still very much the case. Behn and I really don't know what we're doing with the kid. Survival is the main focus.
We are in a bout of several days of 3 year old insanity right now (albeit yesterday morning he was quite lovely- the evening: not so much.). This morning was no exception. Home boy was in timeout before breakfast. We had to stop everything for a special prayer time to beg God to give mama extra special patience and wisdom and that God would help Graham with some self-control. The morning continued down it's fiery path of terror. And I had this feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach: Graham had a dentist appointment at 11. He had done ok at his first dentist appointment 6 months ago, but these days everything is a fight.
Side story- last time I took Graham to get his haircut, he screamed and thrashed the whole 20 minutes. The haircut itself was a disaster- he looked like a cross between an Amish kid and a hedgehog. And everyone who was in the hair place got to listen to a toddler scream while they got their haircut. I seriously contemplated buying a round of pizzas for the whole place, but I can't afford that kind of good grace. Graham still talks about the incident and needless to say he hasn't gone back since.
So, you can just imagine how I was dreading taking him to the dentist. As if he was going to let strangers pry open his mouth and floss his teeth. Plus, I had to bring Patrick along and that kid is such a squirm ball. We were doomed.
I talked the dentist up a little bit. Graham is tricky; he knows if you are over exaggerating the wonderfulness of something. I was keeping it cool, 'hey man, you remember the dentist, right? Cause you did great last time and we're going today, isn't that fun? And you can have a prize afterwards because you're going to do great!' You can't be too enthusiastic with him or he gets suspicious.
We got to the dentist - I prayed again- and entered a waiting room full of kids. At this point, 9 times out of 10, Graham collapses on the floor, overwhelmed by the sight of strangers and yells, 'no people!' and I have to haul him in. But this time, he only hesitated slightly and covered his eyes and then, miracle of miracles, started playing nicely with a few of the kids. We waited 15 minutes (not bad for a doctor's office) and then Graham got excited when they called his name. I strapped squirmy Patch into the stroller and we went back.
Then this happened:
Yes, it's real- I didn't photoshop the picture (I don't even know how to photoshop). My finicky kid let strangers lay him on a chair, brush his teeth with weird toothpaste, floss, and whatever else they did. Thankfully this is a pediatric dentist and they keep it quick. Patrick watched and fussed a bit but didn't have a meltdown despite the fact he was hungry and tired. The appointment really went perfectly. And Graham got to pick out a ball as a prize.
We got back into the car and all said a big Thank You! to God for being with us and helping Graham be so awesome.
Should we try the haircut thing again???
We are in a bout of several days of 3 year old insanity right now (albeit yesterday morning he was quite lovely- the evening: not so much.). This morning was no exception. Home boy was in timeout before breakfast. We had to stop everything for a special prayer time to beg God to give mama extra special patience and wisdom and that God would help Graham with some self-control. The morning continued down it's fiery path of terror. And I had this feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach: Graham had a dentist appointment at 11. He had done ok at his first dentist appointment 6 months ago, but these days everything is a fight.
Side story- last time I took Graham to get his haircut, he screamed and thrashed the whole 20 minutes. The haircut itself was a disaster- he looked like a cross between an Amish kid and a hedgehog. And everyone who was in the hair place got to listen to a toddler scream while they got their haircut. I seriously contemplated buying a round of pizzas for the whole place, but I can't afford that kind of good grace. Graham still talks about the incident and needless to say he hasn't gone back since.
So, you can just imagine how I was dreading taking him to the dentist. As if he was going to let strangers pry open his mouth and floss his teeth. Plus, I had to bring Patrick along and that kid is such a squirm ball. We were doomed.
I talked the dentist up a little bit. Graham is tricky; he knows if you are over exaggerating the wonderfulness of something. I was keeping it cool, 'hey man, you remember the dentist, right? Cause you did great last time and we're going today, isn't that fun? And you can have a prize afterwards because you're going to do great!' You can't be too enthusiastic with him or he gets suspicious.
We got to the dentist - I prayed again- and entered a waiting room full of kids. At this point, 9 times out of 10, Graham collapses on the floor, overwhelmed by the sight of strangers and yells, 'no people!' and I have to haul him in. But this time, he only hesitated slightly and covered his eyes and then, miracle of miracles, started playing nicely with a few of the kids. We waited 15 minutes (not bad for a doctor's office) and then Graham got excited when they called his name. I strapped squirmy Patch into the stroller and we went back.
Then this happened:
Yes, it's real- I didn't photoshop the picture (I don't even know how to photoshop). My finicky kid let strangers lay him on a chair, brush his teeth with weird toothpaste, floss, and whatever else they did. Thankfully this is a pediatric dentist and they keep it quick. Patrick watched and fussed a bit but didn't have a meltdown despite the fact he was hungry and tired. The appointment really went perfectly. And Graham got to pick out a ball as a prize.
We got back into the car and all said a big Thank You! to God for being with us and helping Graham be so awesome.
Should we try the haircut thing again???
Hehehe. Can't help but giggle as I read this. YAY, Graham!
ReplyDeleteWe were proud of him!
DeleteThat is awesome! So glad it went well. I still need to find my kids a good dentist - I've heard too many horrible stories (plus G with his sensory issues fights me 70% of the time we brush his teeth).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the sensory issues make it harder- is there a dentist who specializes in special needs? To be honest, I'm not sure how *necessary* it is to take kids this young, anyway.
DeleteSo glad it went well!! I feel a little guilty that we haven't attempted the dentist yet, but have been kinda dreading it. I've always cut Nate's hair at home and its a struggle even though I go really fast and it never gets to the point of looking great=) I'm not sure whether getting it done by a stranger would be better or worse...
ReplyDeleteI'll try to remember to pray for you! Three is a difficult age, at least in my limited experience of ages!!
I'm not sure why they want kids to go to the dentist so early these days (money?). But my niece- same age as G- had some cavities already so I decided to take him. Thanks for your prayers! I will try to remember to pray for you, too!
Delete