Cherub was all primed with explanations of what was coming up and a bag of gold-wrapped chocolate 'moneys' for afterwards, plus a $5 knock-off Spiderman race-car set from the $2-Shop (not to be opened till afterwards either!!), because he was still looking dubious when I explained the needle malarkey to him. What can I say, I'm soft. So the first needle was a doddle and only elicited a small ow. The nice nurse had already given him a lollipop bribe of her own and had him sucking on it while she administered the needles. The second needle hurt a bit more and the ouch was much more indignant this time and was accompanied by a raised small hand intent on removing the nasty needle - his gentle restrainer (me) clearly falling down on her duties. Then it was all over and the Spiderman cars were let out of the box and I thanked my lucky stars that he hadn't freaked out like another little boy there who screamed and cried in fear and beseeched his poor father Please, no more which broke the hearts of all adults present.
And now my baby, he's all dosed up; no more needles (touch wood) required, and another parenting milestone / rite of passage behind me. Just the little government payout for having him fully immunised to look forward to now.
