Re the throat swab, and similar situations - I’m a pediatric nurse practitioner with over 30 years in emergency medicine. I also have 2 daughters who were “difficult” at pediatrician visits when they were young (one had to have dental work under general anesthesia at age 3). I don’t mean to pat myself on the back, but the kids/parents and I almost always part friends, even after a 10-minute visit involving unpleasant procedures. It’s no favor to the kid to imply a choice if they don’t really have one. Cooperating at a medical exam is not equal to blindly obeying strangers. The medical staff can absolutely be kind, respectful, and firm and “let’s get this over with” at the same time. Restraint can usually be done by the parent with the kid in his/her lap. A sticker afterwards really does restore happiness to the small kids. The rare kid who is both large and agitated/combative can seldom be verbally persuaded (this only prolongs the agony); needs to be held by extra people and treated without any shaming afterward.