What do you think of when I mention the dentist? Do you think of that Bill Cosby routine where he talks about the Novocaine numbing him so much that he couldn’t talk ?
What thoughts does bringing your children to the dentist conjure up? Is it a lot of work? Do you have a child who is frightened of the dentist? Going to the dentist with a child who has SPD can be a nightmare that goes beyond the typical fear children have from doctor’s visits and unfamiliar situations.
Today I brought both of my kids to the dentist. This was the second time that C5 had ever been to a dentist. Her first trip to the dentist was about a year ago, and it was by far the worst medical experience that C5 and I ever had together – even worse than getting shots. I was frustrated, and she was terrified. The dentist pushed through the exam even though C5 was panicked and screaming. Things really went awry when the dentist insisted that I lay down on the chair and restrain C5 so that she could count her teeth. You can be sure that C5 and I will never forget that, and we’ll never go back to that dentist.
In an effort to avoid living through that again, I got a referral from our pediatrician for a new dentist. Other moms told me how wonderful this new particular dentist is. So I dove in and made an appointment for both kids. It turned out to be a great decision!
Today C5 panicked just as the hygienist touched her mouth. It took some time to calm her down and coax her back into the chair. Our hygienist spent a long time showing her the instruments and explaining the procedures step by step. With much patience the hygenist was able to clean C5’s teeth and finish most of the exam. This hygienist even got C5 to laugh! The dentist himself was also quite successful with his examination. He explained that his approach is to establish trust and then help kids learn cope with the whole dental experience rather than avoid things that cause problems for child such as noise and light. He believes that it is the best way to equip children with special needs for the real world. I completely agree with him. We are returning to the dentist in a couple of weeks in order to establish that dental visits are OK and to build familiarity. He is even going to try to do things that are unexpected in order to teach C5 how to cope with a dentist visit.
C5 was positive and proud at the end of the visit. She was trilled that she was able to tell everyone all the things that she learned at the dentist. She was also particularly excited about one discovery that the dentist made. C5 has two loose teeth.
Swimming lessons have begun! We took two rounds of lessons last year and decided to take a break. C4 was terrified of the water last year and refused to put her face in at all. It was not worth it to me to force the issue, so we stopped. Besides, my goal is simply for her to be able to swim not for her to compete or anything like that. Waiting was the right choice! She had a great time today, and she wasn’t even nervous before the class started.
We arrived at the lesson early to allow the kids to warm up to the situation. My kids adjust better to anything new if I explain what will happen and answer their questions at the venue. It seems to relax them – and me. I also give important safety information. For example, today we talked about the life guard’s job. I also explained that they might hear a whistle blow, and three blows mean that the life guard wants to clear the pool. My kids are so curious, and they are pretty independent thinkers. They often question the authority figure when they are told to do something that appears confusing. That kind of questioning seems defiant to some adults even though the questions are not to meant to defy authority. I try to avoid having that happen, especially on the first day of a class.
I saw my little girl actually swim from the side of the pool to the rope and back again with the barbells. She splashed in the water. She even went down the slide into the pool. She smiled the whole time, too! She did check with me throughout the class, but there was no sign of distress. What progress! I am so glad to see her enjoy the water now.
Wednesday is A2’s turn with her very first lesson with Mommy. I’ll keep you posted!
Being a mom means that I worry about my children’s future. I know that I have no control over it, but I cannot help it. I also know that God wants me NOT to worry and to pray instead. So now that I am trying to not worry as much. I am making a conscious effort to pray for my children. I have always prayed for them, but now I am praying more intentionally and for specific blessings. I pray for each of my daughters individually.
I pray for God to provide a God fearing husband. I ask God for a loving man who will love, honor, and cherish my beautiful child. I hope for a man who would be a good provider and a good friend. I also hope for a happy, healthy marriage filled with memories that they can talk about with their grandchildren. I pray that my child and her husband would serve God and His people throughout their life together and depend on God for guidance. I hope that my child would live a full life to God’s glory!
If you are interested in praying for your child but you aren’t sure how to do it, read The Power of a Praying® Parent Deluxe Editionby Stormie Omartian. Each chapter is about a different topic and includes a prayer that you can pray verbatum for your child. It helped me when started praying for my children.
Living as a mom means praying fervently for your children’s future.
It has been an exciting time in our home. Recently C4 accepted Christ! I am honored to be the person she prayed with that day. I have never had the privilege of praying with someone who is accepting Christ.
We have been talking about salvation for a long time, and I had suggested that Jesus could be her best friend if she asked Him to be. She had always said that she wasn’t interested in that just yet. But on this particular day, when I brought it up, C4 said that Jesus was her best friend. I told her that she had to ask Him to be her best friend before He would be. We were sitting at the kitchen table eating lunch when she decided to pray. “Jesus, I want you to be my best friend. Amen.”
At first I wasn’t sure that she knew what she was asking for. I wondered if it made sense to her. After all, she is only 4 years old. I left it alone for a couple of weeks before I brought it up again. When I asked if she wanted Jesus to be her best friend, she reminded me that she already asked Jesus to be her best friend that time in the kitchen when we prayed together! She truly has accepted Christ! God moved my little 4 year old girl to love Him!
It is funny to listen to her when she is with A2. She says,”You need to learn more about Jesus before you ask Him to be your best friend.” A2 just listens to her. I often hear C4 praying when she is in her bed before she falls asleep. She is really in love with Jesus!
We have been doing many Advent activities this year, and I have noticed that both of the girls are playing “Going to Bethlehem” or “Baby Jesus is born”. They are singing the Christmas carols like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Away in the Manger”. A2 is on her way to accepting Christ in time, too. She talks about Him all of the time and prays a lot, too.
I am amazed by my God. Watching my children’s faith grow has in turn made my faith flourish! I hope that during this wonderful Christmas season you are able to witness this miracle in your life!
One of the best things about childhood is curiosity, and my kids are very curious. They’ll even tell you how curious they are! It can be very cute and give you a chuckle, too.
Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is miraculous!
C4 and A2 have been asking lots of questions about Jesus. One of the songs we sang at bedtime tonight was “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Instead of simply singing the song we watched this video. The art in this video is just beautiful and powerful! I love using art, music, drama, and other creative arts to share the gospel with children. I think it makes the information more real. The video sparked lots of questions about Jesus’ life, which E and I did not anticipate.
Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is miraculous!
While we watched the video, the children wanted to know about where Jesus was born. They also asked about Mary and Joseph. When they saw the cross, they asked, “Why did the mean men take Jesus away?” I told them that the people didn’t like that Jesus was saying that He was God’s son. I’m not sure that it made sense to them, though. Their questions made me think about Jesus’ life and wonder more about why things happened to Him the way that they happened.
Seeing Jesus through a child’s eyes is miraculous!
I’m glad that they are asking questions. They are trying to make sense out of the whole story, and they are helping me to understand my God better. I am beginning to see God like a child does.
Seeing God through the eyes of a child is miraculous!
Swimming lessons have begun! We took two rounds of lessons last year and decided to take a break. C4 was terrified of the water last year and refused to put her face in at all. It was not worth it to me to force the issue, so we stopped. Besides, my goal is simply for her to be able to swim not for her to compete or anything like that. Waiting was the right choice! She had a great time today, and she wasn’t even nervous before the class started.
by Stormie Omartian. Each chapter is about a different topic and includes a prayer that you can pray verbatum for your child. It helped me when started praying for my children.