M am doctors are lost when it comes to the issue of handling children in the office: "Dr. Ogi. what do I do with these little people? They scare the hell out of me." Relax! Its easy! You need to think like a kid. This is where men definitely have the advantage—most never really grow up. I think main wives and girlfriends out there will agree with me on this point. Men arc all kids—it's just that the toys cost a bit more now! So you "re a little nervous about seeing kids. So what? I mean, that's what wearing an antipcrspirant is all about, isn't it? So what if your shirt is soaked inside—everyone gets nervous at times, but why now? It's only a child! I mean, here you arc. a grown-up with a college education and a degree, but you feel intimidated by a very short and cute scvcn-ycar-old girl in front of you. To make matters worse, she asks you straight out. "Why are you sweating?" This is when you. a rationally thinking, well-adjusted adult who has spent years studying the art. science, and philosophy of chiropractic, start to babble defensively. Have I missed anything? This seems to be a common scenario for many doctors unaccustomed to seeing children. Relax. It gets better with the more children you see. just like anything else! That is why they call it practice. The idea of kids behaving in your office and actually enjoying the experience of seeing them is rooted in the fact that you need to play with the kids. I don't mean you need to get down on your carpet and play games with toys and blocks. No. you need to play and make the whole visit "tiling" a game. Let me give you some examples of what I used to do: Walking beside a five-year-old. I would often ask. "Why are you so short? Have you been this short for long?" The child would beam up at me with a smile, giggle, and say something like. "I'm little, silly." See. I made a friend. And of course there is nothing wrong with threatening kids playfully by saying tilings such as. "I'll rip out your liver," or. "I'll tear off your kneecaps if you don't behave." Now. you must say this with mock seriousness. Parents will look at you horrified, but the kids will tease you. laugh, and want von trt «n on' If you arc examining someone with an older child and you know he'll be in orbit around your office if he gets bored, you may want to give him a task. For example: "Bobby. I am going to put you on a mission. I want you to go to the children's house in the reception area and test all the toys to sec which ones arc not working. And then I want you to draw a picture of color all the toys that are not working. OK? Go!" Now you have peace and quiet with Bobby's mother for 10-20 minutes. However, when children are little, they often wont feel comfortable leaving mom or dad during an exam. If a child is boisterous. I"11 tell her this: "I want you to sit down on the floor with your back to the door, and put your finger on your lips. If I ever sec your finger off your lips, there will be serious consequences. I'll feed you to my pet frog. I'll remove your toes. I'll make you eat liver." The kids giggle, laugh, and have fun. but they listen to me. Mam moms ask me. "Dr. Ogi. do you give classes on this? You arc so good with my kids and they listen to you." Yes. it's fear! You can also have a sign in your office: To all parents: I If your children are misbehaving, they will be given an espresso and ^ a free puppy. Parents will appreciate being told in a humorous and pleasant manner that they are in charge of their children while in your office, and that your CAs do not babysit. Tnist me—your staff will thank you. Another sign: / Insanity is hereditary: ^ I You get it from your kids. I This one says it all—parents will get your message! OK. so what do you do with these veiy short people while you arc adjusting them? Easy. I would tell a child something such as: "Trevor, when I adjust you. I want you to hold onto your belly button with both hands, (the child is on his back). This is because sometimes it jumps off and I don't want to look for it. Last week, we had a little girl who didn't listen to me and we're still looking for her belly button. Have you ever seen anyone without a belly button? It is not a pretty sight. OK?" Right, so now Trevor lias both hands on his belly button! And. of course, you also can really ham it up with kids. When I have a seven-year-old girl in the exam room with her mom. I love to ask this question: "So tell me this: How many boyfriends do you have?" The responses arc awesome and all moms pay close attention to the answers. The looks on their faces say it all! I hope this article will give you some ideas for how to approach children in your office. Make it a game. Have fun. The important thing is not to show fear—they will sense it and then you've had it. They will tell you to sit by the door with your finger on your lips! Dr. Ogi is a Practice Coach and leaches the Practice Evolution Program. He is an international lecturer, a pediatric and x-ray specialist, researcher and clinician. It was Dr. Ogi and Dr. Larry Webster who started the whole pedialric awareness and movement on the planet - when it comes to kids, he has no equal. He can be reached at drogifcl: practiceevohition. com or www.practiceevolution. com
