I'm wearing the crown today. My sister and I call each other periodically to confess our parenting blunders and then determine if our actions are worthy of the "Worst Mother in the World" crown. Today was my day and I am the reigning title holder.

I took my children to the doctor. My oldest had to get a flu shot. My youngest had his three-year-old visit. As I led my oldest back to the exam room, he clinched my hand and started to whimper. However, before the nurse appeared with the injection, I asked if there was another vaccination option other than the needle. "Yes!" the replied, "For $20 more, he can have a nasal spray rather than a shot." A small price to pay to avoid the pinch. Colton looked so relieved and willingly allowed the nurse to stick a needle-free syringe up his nose.

Then it was Luke's turn. Time with the doctor went smoothly. He was weighed and measured without incident and handled the peek at his privates like a pro. By the time she finished checking his ears and his throat, he was down-right relaxed. All that changed with a prick of the finger. Even the Blue's Clues band-aid didn't help. What's worse, he had to return to the exam room for two more shots. Here's where the "Worst Mother in the World" crown comes in. The doctor told me that they typically don't offer the nasal flu vaccine to children under the age of 5 - but she would make an exception for Luke. Still, she said, since he had to have the buster shot, she suggested that I save the $20 bucks and give him the needle version. She claimed that he wouldn't know the difference between one shot or two.

I wish she had never given me the option. I wish she had made the call and that I did not know there was a choice in the matter. I ultimately decided on the needle - primarily because he was crying so hard after the blood test that I thought the nasal thing would really freak him out. However, as I was holding him down, trying to comfort him through the pain, I knew I made the wrong decision. Tears filled my eyes as I kissed and consoled.

I am sure time will erase this painful memory from my three-year-old's mind. However, I'm afraid I am burdened with the newly awarded crown and have to sustain the title of "Worst Mother in the World" - at least until my sister really screws up.

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