Why our daughter’s pain perception is rare
An ear-piercing session reveals something interesting
As a mom and piercing enthusiast, I’ve always looked forward to the day my daughter, Cittie, would want her ears repierced. They were pierced when she was a baby, but her curiosity back then led her to constantly play with her earrings, which caused an infection. Her father and my husband, Jared, and I then decided to let the holes close.
She’s now 5 and has a Cinnamoroll obsession. The other day at the mall, she spotted some dangly earrings featuring her favorite “Hello Kitty” character and remarked that she was ready to get her ears pierced again. I didn’t expect that request to happen so soon, so I was pleasantly surprised!
With over a dozen piercings myself, I couldn’t wait to introduce her to the experience. We agreed to visit my trusted piercer, whom I’ve relied on for years because of her skill and attention to detail.
Calmness and curiosity
At the piercing shop, Cittie chose her earrings: two mismatched titanium labret studs with purple butterfly and flower designs. My piercer explained how everything would work. Then she led Cittie to the piercing chair, placed a soft blanket on her lap, and drew temporary marks on her ears to show her where the jewelry would be placed.
Holding a mirror in her hand, Cittie watched the process with intense curiosity. The needle pierced her ear, and instead of flinching, she remained calm and simply mouthed the word “wow.”
The piercer, a mother herself, was amazed by Cittie’s stoic demeanor. She mentioned how most children her age (or even older) react with fear and often tears. Cittie, on the other hand, was almost eerily calm. She stayed fully engaged in the process, never showing any signs of discomfort.
A different perspective on pain
Reflecting on her reaction, I realized that Cittie’s calm might be because she’s familiar with needles. In our home, needles are a normal part of life because Jared has severe hemophilia B. He regularly performs his own factor IX infusions. Cittie has been exposed to these procedures for as long as she can remember.
While other children may associate needles with pain or fear, Cittie might see them as a necessary part of life: her dad’s routine. Needles aren’t something to be afraid of; they’re tools that keep him healthy. This exposure has likely shaped her perception of pain, turning something that others dread into something almost familiar, maybe even fascinating.
Pain as a state of mind
When I shared the story with Jared that evening, he reflected on how pain can be a state of mind. We both acknowledged that while other children might feel scared or anxious in similar situations, Cittie feels comfortable with needles because she’s seen how they help, rather than hurt, her dad.
In her eyes, needles don’t represent fear. They symbolize both lifesaving necessity and, now, beauty. Watching the earrings being placed in her ears wasn’t painful, but instead a moment of transformation, just like the ones she’s seen her father undergo during his infusions.
For both my daughter and my husband, needles are a normal part of life, and pain is something to be observed with curiosity rather than fear.
Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.
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