Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

wwyd- hospital receptionist

30 replies

thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 17:12

had to take DS2 to the hospital for a SALT appt earlier today.

When I got to the department there was a lady there with 2 small boys (maybe 5 and 4ish).
The eldest one must have just pinched her because the receptionist was telling her that in order to stop him she MUST pinch him back.
she then went on to say how her own son pinched her once and she stopped him by pinching him back. THEN she said that the woman mustn't just pinch him a bit, but she must pinch him hard and not stop until he cries because he has to learn that it hurts Shock

i was trying to psych myself up to say something when we got called in to our appointment.

now i feel like i want to complain about her, but is that OTT? if I did complain who would I complain to?

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 17:18

It's advise I've heard before so it's not just her! Maybe she thought it was going to
Be helpful. Some will agree some will disagree but I think complaining is a bit OTT tbh :) all the mum had to do was nod and smile :)

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 17:27

i just think it's really inapprpriate for her to be giving out parenting advice anyway, let alone condoning hurting your child until he cries

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 17:33

It's the classic "something my gran/mother in law would say"
Kinda along the brandy in the bottle era of advice :) doubt anyone would be stupid enough to actually listen!

In all honesty it's no worse than the list of rubbish advice from Drs/HVs etc!

Us mums just let it go in one ear and out the other :)

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 08/08/2012 17:34

she is just trying to help, even if it is crappy advice

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 08/08/2012 17:34

do you want her fired or something?

thestringcheesemassacre · 08/08/2012 17:36

I agree with fanjo. It's crappy advice, but loads of people gave me crap advice when mine where little.

Let it go.

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 17:58

no, i don't want her fired, but i wouldn't mind someone telling her that it might not be appropriate advice to give.

i guess it's the fact that she works for the hospital, and so people may take her seroiusly because of that.

but I will accept that I may be over-reacting :)

OP posts:
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 08/08/2012 18:00

i don't think people are that stupid really about parenting matters?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 08/08/2012 18:01

as to injure their children just because a woman at the hospital said?

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 18:03

i think there are people out there who would take this "advice" seriously, esp coming from a hospital worker yes.

there are plenty of people out there who smack their children.. this is just one step further isn't it?

but the fact is, a hospital receptionist really shouldn't be telling people to injure their children should she??

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 18:06

Comes back to the old " if someone told you to jump off a cliff would you?" question!

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 18:07

is it appropriate for a hospital receptionist to tell a parent that they need to injure a child?

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 18:13

Clue is In the word "receptionist" not a dr not a nurse but a receptionist. In other words a complete stranger.

I'm not saying the advice is right in any way but it boils down to a chat with a complete stranger who's a bit misguided and we have all had that ;)

CaseyShraeger · 08/08/2012 18:15

Given that if a child came into A&E with something unrelated and a doctor or nurse noticed evidence of that kind of non-accidental bruising they might well refer the family to Social Services, I'd say distinctly inappropriate.

CaseyShraeger · 08/08/2012 18:16

Unless the hospital has a quota of SS referrals to meet and she's trying to drum up business...

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 18:23

so receptionists can say what they like and that's ok because they are like a complete stranger? Confused

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 18:24

But surely if someone's so easily lead as to take advice to hurt their own child off a complete stranger then there's something really wrong anyway. ?

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 18:25

Where do u draw the line though? If I stopped speaking to every idiot I've ever spoken too I'd probably never speak to anyone?

Finallygotaroundtoit · 08/08/2012 18:31

I would report it - not to get her fired but to stop her giving such terrible advice to others.

Unlike some random stranger, she is an authority figure and is the 'front' for the hospital. They would not want her telling people to hurt their children Sad

Trifle · 08/08/2012 18:32

For goodness sake, you overheard a conversation that you didn't agree with, so what. I mean, seriously who are you going to complain to.

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 18:33

why would something have to be very wrong?

it isn't about not speaking to people, it's about someone in a position of authority telling people to injure their children.

all I am saying is that for me this crosses a line, clearly for others it doesn't and it's interesting to see the differing responses

ultimately I would like to let someone know so that they can speak to this receptionist and just say that it's maybe not a good idea to say things like that to patients.

however, I have decided to go with the general consensus of the thread, so will see if anyone else has anything to add!

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 18:35

trifle if it was just a conversation between 2 people then I would feel sad for the child potentially about to get hurt, but ultimately would be unable to do anyhting.

in this instance I feel it is made even more inappropriate because of WHO it is giving the advice. like a previous poster says, this woman is a front for the hospital and therefore more of an authority figure.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 08/08/2012 18:36

She wasn't even talking to you. I hardly think the receptionist is in a position of authority. It was hardly the chief child psychologist who advised it.

Original poster
thisisyesterday · 08/08/2012 18:37

it doesn't really matter if it was me she was talking to does it?

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 08/08/2012 18:40

Because no one in their right mind is going to hurt their child cos a receptionist told them too!