Rising Fear
We all have things in our everyday lives that conjure up memories of things past. For instance, to this day the smell of Play-doh harkens me back to kindergarten, any song by Jewel reminds me of the time I met my wife, and the sight of a red, synthetic running track reminds me of days when feeling strong and fast was a way of life.
Already Swee’Pea is making these connections. Unfortunately her connections aren’t as positive as mine. You see, we don’t go in many elevators in our day to day lives but we do have to go in an elevator every time we visit the doctor. And most times when we visit the doctor, Swee’Pea gets a shot. So, in Swee’Pea’s mind elevator = shot.
At first I thought she just recognized the elevator when we were going to the doctor. It became apparent she was making an association because she would cry as soon as we wheeled ourselves in with the stroller. However, recently we’ve frequented a couple of other places that have elevators and Swee’Pea has produced the same reaction. She cries. Loudly.
So now we have to soothe her and promise her she’s not getting a shot every time we enter an elevator. This only works when we’re not actually going to the doctor and she’s not actually getting a shot. As a result, the next time we go to the doctor’s, I’m thinking of dragging the stroller up the stairs.
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My kids haven’t really made any negative associations with things – at least, I can’t seem to think of any at the moment. They have tons of “positive” ones:
Obachan’s house = ice cream
Nana & Papa’s house = Costco container of animal crackers
Mall = big play area and escalator
bedtime = music and storytime
Costco = samples (oh, wait, that one’s mine, too…)
Comment by Deanna — September 30, 2006 @ 10:15 pm
Well even tho’ I’m still waiting for the twins, I can understand. Everytime I hear Billy Squire, I’m back in high school with the volume turned all the way up.
And my dog makes connections as well. “Wait a minute… this isn’t the way to the dogpark!”
Comment by Big Daddy Rob — September 30, 2006 @ 10:24 pm
We have the opposite problem I think every time Claudia sees an escalator she thinks she is getting new shoes.
Comment by Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — October 1, 2006 @ 5:02 am
What a smart little girl.
Mine think every time we walk in Target they are at the very least getting a DVD.
Comment by Melissa — October 1, 2006 @ 11:50 am
Isn’t amazing how their minds work?
Comment by William — October 2, 2006 @ 5:44 am
D’oh! Maybe it’s time to associate getting shots with eating ice cream or something…anything to soothe the pain.
Comment by CroutonBoy — October 2, 2006 @ 1:41 pm
mmm…that sounds good, ice cream, mmmm.
Comment by Grandmother — October 3, 2006 @ 11:50 am
Yeah, she’s a smart one. I say have the doctor meet her on the first floor to give her a shot so she doesn’t have to go in the elevator. Or, wait a minute, then she’ll never want to leave the house, and that’s not good. Huh. Well, I got nuthin’.
Comment by samantha jo campen — October 3, 2006 @ 5:24 pm