Teeth and Naomi Aldort

[mamaofthree]

I have in the past read articles and "Ask Naomi" pieces and just been like "GIVE ME A BREAK! How do you seriously make that stuff work??" I get all tight chested and feel like this line of parenting is just too much, too over the top and just too much ketting the kids be in charge... very much how I was NORT raised. I never was allowed to have a voice in my family. I feel like I am the mom and by goodness I am the boss. Not in a mean sort of way, but if we have stuff to do your gonna have to buck up and deal.
WELL my idea of this has been changing. I was reading a "Ask Naomi" piece in "Natural Life" magazine today... it was about how to deal with a child who does not want to ride in a car. At first like always I get all upset at her advice, but then today I just mulled it over... I know not every time one of my younger kids does not want to go in the van can we NOT go, but it really made me see how I can at least be more understanding.

SOOO all that being said does anyone know of any thing she has written on dealing with kids and the dentist. my ds#2 very much dreads the dentist (i have tried so hard to make it a good experience to no avail) yet he has a couple pretty bad cavities. they really need to be filled, but he refuses to drik the "sleepy" medicine. He freaks out. I hate to have them do IV sedation, that would only tramatize him more. He is not easily reasoned with, if he doesn't want to do something there isn't alot I can do to make him sort of "see the light". I don't want to wait until his teeth hurt to do what needs to be done... so any ideas?

Thanks

h

[godusjourney]

Hopefully you get some good answers. I definitely understand trying to provide a positive dental experience but also making sure the dental work gets done. Thankfully my dd has positive feelings about the dentist, regardless of the fact she has had pretty invasive work done (thank goodness for Versed and gentle-spoken pediatric dentists, is all I can say). From my understanding, once a child has a traumatic view of dentists, it's extremely difficult to reverse. We have an amazing pediatric dentist that is extremely gentle and never ever makes a child do anything they're uncomfortable with. I would think a few experiences with a dentist like that would have to happen before a child could regain trust in dentists.

As far as Naomi Aldort (whom I revere, but like you, find it somewhat difficult to apply everything), I would imagine she would suggest something along the lines of working with your specific child's personality and aquired fears (every kid is different). If the child is at a certain level where discussing it with him and having him help come up with a solution, then that might be a good idea. If he wouldn't really work well with that, then possibly find the most positive situation for him, that still gets the job done. Such as, find a dentist he does like/trusts, etc. If it all fails, but you still need to get the cavities filled, then figure out a solution that gets it done, but is the least traumatizing - do lots of comforting beforehand, and lots of loving aftercare to help make up for the experience. It will still be very hard on the child, but with lots of love and a supportive environment where he is allowed to release his feelings, eventually he hopefully will be able to release the pain, anger, and frustration the event caused...and as he gets older understand why you needed to do it.

Good luck, mama, and I hope you find a good solution for all of you!