Perhaps nothing is more harrowing to a 4 year old than getting a shot. Hammie seemed ok with the idea in the days leading up to it but on the morning we were to go in for the shot her bravery faltered. In the doctors office no amount of assurance and comforting could get Hammie to calmly accept a needle in her arm so we had to resort to holding down a very angry and sad girl. It is not the easiest thing for a parent to do but that's what is required sometimes. For awhile after the incident Hammie declared between sobs that she was angry with us. My heart breaks a little seeing our little girl so upset.
Fortunately a band-aid, little toy elephant and a lollipop helped sooth the tears and when we dropped Hammie at daycare she was herself again. Among her friends she proudly displayed the band-aid as a mark of her bravery. The other 4-year olds were very impressed. We haven't yet broke it to Hammie that her bravery will be tested once again next week. We'll see how it goes.
Hammie post shot and her badge of courage
A happy Hammie and her new toy.
