Embarrassed about the doctor?

[Anonymous]

My son is really reluctant about going in for his seventh grade physical at the pediatrician next week because he's embarrassed that she's going to check his privates, and his older sister teasing him about it really isn't helping. What's the best way for me to talk to him about this in a non-awkward way, and to get him to realize that getting checked out is nothing to be embarrassed about and actually really important for a boy his age?

[Anonymous]

Find a male doctor.

[Anonymous]

He can always just skip that part of the exam, i always did even over my parents objections and its not as important as they say it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a male doctor.

The practice we go to with our insurance only has female providers, so that isn't really an option, especially for this year when the appointment is so soon.

[Anonymous]

Find a new practice. Your sons health depends on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a new practice. Your sons health depends on it.

He doesn't even mention that it being a female doctor is what bothers him.

Also, even if it was, I think he can handle the 30 seconds it takes her to check him out. If I could survive having a male gyno all throughout high school, I think he can survive this.

[Anonymous]

Tell his sister to cut it out immediately and if she says another word she'll be severely punished. You don't tease people about their health.

[Anonymous]

Tell him it IS really uncomfortable but also important and ask him if he can suck it up. Tell him she’s a doctor and she’s seen everything. There’s nothing that can happen that will phase her.

But I also agree that he could just skip that part of the exam.

[Anonymous]

My son skipped it in 4th grade. Skipping once in a while is okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell his sister to cut it out immediately and if she says another word she'll be severely punished. You don't tease people about their health.

+ 1
There would have been real consequences for any of my children doing this in my house.

[Anonymous]

Tell your daughter it’s a lot less invasive than what she goes through or will go through at the gynecologist when they do a Pap smear up her vagina and to cut out the teasing. Saying it like that should hopefully stop it, or at least would for my kids.

As for your son, if it’s not the doctor and the exam, I’d say it’s 10 sec to make sure he’s healthy and you will wait outside if he prefers. Tell him his feelings are normal and no one enjoys that part.

[Anonymous]

I would respect his wishes and find another medical practice. A yearly exam is not not an emergency.

You would do the same for your daughter so why not your son?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would respect his wishes and find another medical practice. A yearly exam is not not an emergency.

You would do the same for your daughter so why not your son?

He didn't ask me to find another practice, I don't think the specific doctor is the problem with him, just that someone will be checking there in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Male doctor and punish the sister. Simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would respect his wishes and find another medical practice. A yearly exam is not not an emergency.

You would do the same for your daughter so why not your son?

He didn't ask me to find another practice, I don't think the specific doctor is the problem with him, just that someone will be checking there in the first place.

Talk to him and ask if he'd prefer a male doctor. If he isn't comfortable with the exam, just decline this year.