How to persuade a child to take a blood test

lika_86

heartbreak_star wrote: »

I was like that for a while - and though it won't work for everyone, and was a bit harsh, Mum told me that if they do the tests and find something, they can cure it.

But what if it can't be cured? He's 13, not an idiot, he'll know that some things can't be cured.

I'm not really sure I see the point of all this to be honest. He's not ill, he doesn't seem concerned by it all. Leave him be.

lostinrates

herand wrote: »

Tell him to grow the f up and don't go into the room with him.

Jeez it's hardly the nicest experience, just look away and wait.

God some people moan over everything, imagine having to get bloods taken daily and having small viens and other such issues which make it a far greater deal than a minutes uncomfortableness,

Op is potentially describing him potentially being screened for a lifelong condition.

I think you are being harsh.

Some of us who have no choice but to deal with health matters regularly might envy those for whom its at 'choice' stage or sort of condition. Similarly, not all people choose to have genetic testing for cancers or inherited conditions. I have friends who are well educated, professionals who have decided they would rather not know if they are likely to get serious illness in the future.

Victory, if its impacting on health...persist now, if its not, I'd perhaps not persist now and let him mull it over for a while. If its the former......then, hmm...good luck, bribery might be an option, but I'll warn you, when my husband or family try it with me it really makes me dig my heels in. I needed twelve months to think about something recently, and I'm really glad I took those months.

victory

sukysue wrote: »

They may be able to do fingerprick bloods on him using smaller blood bottles.

Ah, that's intersting, can they? We were never suggested this when the blood test scenario arose, that is very interesting, can they tell as much by that as a blood test from the arm?

victory

lostinrates wrote: »

Op is potentially describing him potentially being screened for a lifelong condition.

I think you are being harsh.

Some of us who have no choice but to deal with health matters regularly might envy those for whom its at 'choice' stage or sort of condition. Similarly, not all people choose to have genetic testing for cancers or inherited conditions. I have friends who are well educated, professionals who have decided they would rather not know if they are likely to get serious illness in the future.

Victory, if its impacting on health...persist now, if its not, I'd perhaps not persist now and let him mull it over for a while. If its the former......then, hmm...good luck, bribery might be an option, but I'll warn you, when my husband or family try it with me it really makes me dig my heels in. I needed twelve months to think about something recently, and I'm really glad I took those months.

Thank you lostinrates

peachyprice

victory wrote: »

Ah, that's intersting, can they? We were never suggested this when the blood test scenario arose, that is very interesting, can they tell as much by that as a blood test from the arm?

I really depends what they are testing for, if it's something simple like blood sugar levels yes, but the majority of tests, that will need to go to the pathology lab, no.

itsanne

victory wrote: »

Ah, that's intersting, can they? We were never suggested this when the blood test scenario arose, that is very interesting, can they tell as much by that as a blood test from the arm?

That suggests you think he's scared of the blood test despite him saying he's not. If he is scared, that's probably relatively easily dealt with. The practice will be used to dealing with nervous patients.

barbaraemmerson

another vote for Bribery
My son had Bells Palsy aged 9 (was terrifying as thought he had had a stroke!) They were doing research into it at the time and asked for him to go on the study - involved 6 weekly blood tests - no real benefit to him but maybe to others in the future - cost me a fortune in Playmobile!!!!!!

lostinrates

herand wrote: »

A 13 year old shouldn't be bribed or baby'ed any more for goodness sake.

A parent declaring that the child is scared is just going to increase anxiety. The kid has a blood test, it's hardly an ordeal. Just drop them off at the doctors and wait outside.

There comes a time when you have to let teenagers learn to deal with such things themselves.

Sure, but that also means you have to accept they might deal with things in a way different to you.

The blood test is not an ordeal (for most people) the diagnosis and impact this might have on the way life is lived after wards might well be.

While I am far froma child this is something we deal with often, as I often manage things in a way that my husband wouldn't do if it were him. Or my parents. And I'm similarly learning I cannot make my parents manage their health better through diet and lifestyle.

These can be huge decisions with impact over the entire future, beyond the mere draw of a bit of blood.

suejb2

When my D.D was 8 or 9 years old she needed to have bloods taken.I was given Emla (think that was the name) cream to rub onto the skin to numb it and now come to think of it one of my brothers' has "magic cream" all the time for injections or bloods and he's in his 50s!

seven-day-weekend

I personally would try to reason with him using factual information. How he responds to that depends upon his personality. My son would have accepted sound medical facts and common sense.

If he won't respond to that, and is not frightened of actually giving the blood, I'd do what Herand says. Tell him to put his face straight and get him in the Doctor's surgery on his own. They will soon sort him out. However, I would be with him when results are given.