We told DS the morning he was going in to have his. We explained what and why he was having it and told him it would sting a little but would stop stinging quickly after the needle comes out. He was so good when he had the needles. For us we always explain what is going to happen. DS had his tonsils and adenoids out in September and we explained everything to him so he knew what was happening. He would of been terrified if he didn't know and it was just done to him without him knowing beforehand. That's just what we do and it has helped him trust us. I just think of us as adults. I wouldn't like to be taken down the street for an outing and end up getting something done to me that hurts and I have no idea why they are hurting me. Everyone is different though.