12 yr old DS freaking out about a physical exam? WTH!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS (10) started giggling when the pediatrician said that she will look at his "privates"

I glared at him and he quipped "What? I am 10. I find such things funny. At least I do not laugh anymore when someone says "poop"."

LOL. Why the glare though -- I'm sure drs have seen patients giggle about this before; it's what some kids do when they're nervous or embarrassed.

I usually find that pediatricians are completely cool with bathroom and body humor. Not a bad way to put a patient at ease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe your son was molested by someone other than the dr but he can't stand to be touched there now.

Agree with this.

The fact he is so heated against it seems to point out to me that there is something wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS (10) started giggling when the pediatrician said that she will look at his "privates"

I glared at him and he quipped "What? I am 10. I find such things funny. At least I do not laugh anymore when someone says "poop"."

Your kid is pretty much the definition of awesome.

[Anonymous]

I agree with getting him a female doctor. My 14 year old said absolutely NO to a male doctor examining him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with getting him a female doctor. My 14 year old said absolutely NO to a male doctor examining him.

Wait -- why? I thought most preferred same sex doctors for this kind of thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skip the exam. What's the bloody big deal? Does he really need a full physical for sports? Leave the kid alone and take him to the doctor when he's sick.

This. Skip the exam. Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

You sounds like a good mom. I'm not usually an alarmist, but also thought abuse after first reading it. But it sounds like your follow up conversation with him was right on point.

Definitely now use the opportunity to either switch doctors and/or do some research with him on what exams they do and why. Went for my 4 year olds yearly and the doctor said "I'm going to look at your penis. Even thought it's private, mom is here and I'm a doctor. Is that ok?" Every person deserves that respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skip the exam. What's the bloody big deal? Does he really need a full physical for sports? Leave the kid alone and take him to the doctor when he's sick.

This. Skip the exam. Not a big deal.

I think skipping it is ok this once, but you don't want to leave him with the idea that if there's something medical that is uncomfortable, he can just skip it. Instead it's better to find ways to make it more tolerable -- which in this case may involve trying out another dr to see if they handle it better.