Advice with an overbearing 8 yr old niece...?

Question

I have to take my 8 yr old niece to her eye dr appointment today. I need help. How can I make her calm down and be good during our time there. I can already see her being to loud, running around looking at everything, and not listening to a word I say.

How can I make her be good for the dr too? She needs an eye exam. How can I be sure that she understands that she has to be serious and answer the dr correctly?

Some help please?

Answer 1

She obviously has never been disciplined by her parents. There really is nothing you can do because you are not her parent.  It is the parent's responsibility to teach their children at a much earlier age than 8 years proper behavior while in public and it appears as if this child's parents haven't done so.  

Answer 2

Actually by 8 years old a child should know what is expected of her. She either needs mental help or she has horrible parents.

Answer 3

Tell her you believe she is smart enough and grown up enough to behave well. Kids often live up (or down) to the expectations that adults put before them. Don't promise rewards because she should be acting nicely at age 8. Read a book together or play a game of tic-tac-toe etc so she stays busy with appropriate waiting room behavior. You're a good aunt for helping out!!!

Answer 4

Tell her if she be's good she can pick a place to eat and at the end she can pick any desert she wants!

Answer 5

Have her bring either a video game, book, and/or papers and pencils to entertain herself while waiting. Tell her that this is very important and she is expected to pay attention and do as they say so you can make sure her pretty eyes are healthy. And plan to do something special after if she is good. (go out to eat, play at the park, ... something)

Have you taken her out somewhere like this before? Many kids behave better around doctors because #1, they are nervous and #2, they know you are supposed to be good around strangers. Then again, some people act worse when nervous so I guess you can't count on that 100%. You might have to remind her to use her indoor voice a few times, but hopefully she won't be too bad.

If your niece seriously can't be good through this - I suggest you talk to her parents about it or if you are her guardian - speak with a doctor or counselor about her behavior.  

Answer 6

Coloring book and crayons are a good way to entertain her in the waiting room. A promise of a treat afterwords should get her to be good when she is with th doc.

good luck