Follow these tips & tricks to prepare your child for their urgent care visit. Visit our walk-in clinic for proper care & treatment.

Whether your child wakes up with a sore throat or takes a tumble while walking around Broadway or shopping at Fountain City Antiques Market, a visit to urgent care can pop up when you least expect it. And while it’s stressful for parents, it can feel downright scary for kids.

Most children don’t love the idea of seeing a doctor, especially when they aren’t feeling well to begin with. But preparing your child ahead of time can make the visit go a lot more smoothly and help ease those anxious feelings.

Let’s walk through a few helpful ways you can get your child ready for their next urgent care visit, both mentally and practically.

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Why Do Kids Get Anxious About Urgent Care?

For young kids, the unknown can be a huge source of stress. When they don’t know what’s going to happen, or they assume it might involve needles or scary machines, they may panic.

Here are a few common fears:

• Getting a shot or having a test done
• Being separated from you, even briefly
• Being examined by someone they don’t know
• Previous negative medical experiences

Even if your child has been to urgent care before, every visit can feel new and uncertain to them.

Start with a Simple Conversation

The best way to calm your child’s nerves? Talk to them ahead of time. Kids tend to handle things better when they know what to expect.

Try saying something like:

“We’re going to see a doctor who can check on your earache and help you feel better. I’ll be with you the whole time, and it’s not going to take too long.”

Keep your explanation short, honest, and age-appropriate. If they have questions, answer them calmly and let them know it’s okay to be a little nervous.

Bring Along a Comfort Item

One of the easiest ways to help your child feel safe in an unfamiliar setting is to let them bring something comforting from home. It could be:

• A favorite toy or stuffed animal
• A book or coloring pad
• A cozy hoodie or small blanket

Having something familiar nearby can offer a surprising amount of emotional support, especially while waiting to be seen.

Pack a Few Essentials

Urgent care visits can sometimes involve a bit of waiting, so it’s smart to be prepared. Pack a small bag with:

• Water and snacks (especially if your child is already cranky)
• A quiet activity or game
• Medical history or insurance info

If your child has been seen at another clinic recently, bringing notes or paperwork from that visit can help our medical team provide better care.

Reassure Them with Positivity

One of the best ways to shape your child’s outlook on healthcare is to create a positive association. That can be as simple as a sticker, a high five for being brave, or even a fun stop afterward at a local treat spot like Litton’s for a burger and milkshake.

You can say:

“You did such a great job today! Let’s grab a little treat on the way home.”

These little rewards don’t have to be big, but they go a long way in turning something stressful into something manageable.

Let Them Make Small Choices

Giving your child a bit of control over the experience can also help reduce anxiety. For example:

• “Do you want to wear your sneakers or your boots to the clinic?”
• “Do you want to bring your dinosaur toy or your drawing pad?”

Even little decisions give them a sense of ownership over the situation, which can help them feel more confident.

We’re Here for You in Fountain City

At AFC Urgent Care Fountain City, we know that visiting an urgent care clinic with your child can feel overwhelming. That’s why our team works hard to create a welcoming, family-friendly environment. From the front desk to the exam room, our staff is here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, for both of you.

So, whether your kiddo’s feeling under the weather after a busy weekend or needs care in between school and soccer practice, you can count on us to be here when you need us most.