flu shots

Flu shots are free for military families, but we'd been putting it off. I didn't want to deal with the terror and wailing that typically accompanies the shot. The kids despise them with a passion. After each flu shot, Carly is so mad, she refuses to take the measly sticker the nurse offers her, and she stomps out the door, whimpering (that's after the wailing has stopped).

Last week, I told the kids the ever-dreaded news. "Kids, we need to go get our flu shots." The whining started. In an attempt to start comforting the kids before we even left the apartment, I told them that maybe we'd be lucky this time and get the flu mist squirted up our noses instead of the shot, because that's what they give Daddy. Carly started getting a belly-ache from worry. I stuffed my pockets with Smarties for a post-shot prize.

We drove to the clinic on base. Carly desperately tried to fall asleep on the way, thinking this would make her exempt. Isaac did the same. When we got to the pediatric wing, Carly's expression was grim. When they called us in, she walked slow almost protesting. As soon as the nurse told us we would be getting the flu mist, relief flooded over Carly's face. She didn't have a clue what the flu mist even was, but SURELY it was better than the shot.

All went well. And this time, Carly even picked out a sticker.