At what age do you stop going in to GP appts with your child?

[TheSpikySpinosaurus]

16? Or does it depend what the appt is for/on the child?

Yep, 16.

I think it depends on the child, DD 14 still wants me to go with her. So does DSD (25) when it’s stuff she’s worried about. I just ask if they want me to come with them, and follow their lead.

When they want me to. There's no age.

Remember, as adults we often take a partner / friend in with us if it's something daunting or a lot of info is going to be given.

Just be guided by your child and what the issue they're seeing the doctor about is.

Sore throat? They'll probably cope alone. Something that needs scans and blood tests? Go with them

At 16 my mother said I could make my own appointment and go myself but she would always be available to come if needed or if she could see I was too unwell to attend just by myself. 16 is a good age and help independence. The same applied to the doctors, dentist and opticians, I usually sorted these myself but she always offered to come if needed

Mine are both adults, I do what they want me to. Routine appointments they do on their own but they want me if it's a hospital appointment .

When they need or want me too, from about 15 ish, really depends on how they feel.

Well there’s not an age limit. Depends if they want you there or not I guess. My eldest is almost 16 and wouldn’t want to go on her own. I doubt she’d want to go on her own in a year or two either really

Depends on the child and what they want.

From about 15 or 16 they could generally go on their own but I would go with them if they wanted me to. It really depended very much on the child and what the appointment was for.

When DD3 was in the grip of an eating disorder (anorexia) and severe depression between the ages of 16 and 18 I went to most appointments with her. She needed that too.

Just respect your child's choices once they are past about 12.

Sometimes even adults like to have another adult in the room with them at any age and that's not a bad thing.

Thanks! I wanted to do the right thing. I'll ask DS what he'd prefer.

Agree with asking the child.
I have a 17 year old who has regular appointments and he goes alone but knows that I'm available if needed. I pick up his prescriptions as he doesn't fancy that bit.

At 16 the child has to give permission for you to go in with them. So far, my (school age) sons have still wanted me to do so and to do all the talking.

Depends on the severity. I went through something quite serious at age 26. I was single at the time and my Mum came to all hospital appointments with me.

It depends what it’s for an on the child/young adult. I’ve recently been to a few appointments with my 18 year old. He’s hardly troubled the doctor for years but has recently developed a chronic condition and felt unsure about how to talk to the doctor. So I went with him a few times, to advocate for him. He’s at uni now so has had to go on his own and I expect that will be the norm from now on, although I will accompany him if he asks me to in the future. He has an appointment for an endoscopy coming up and I’ll take him to that but will only go into the consulting room with him if he asks me to.

My DD is 17. I still go with her if she wants me to, but usually she goes herself. I've been with her when they have asked questions re sex/smoking/drugs, which was possibly slightly awkward the first time, but not any more.

Depends on the DC and the purpose.

I think the youngest one of mine went alone was 17. Then of course they have to deal with all their own health issues once they leave home

They can go solo younger (but the doctor/HCP has to be sure the young person is fully competent to deal with the issue at hand) and they can request parent to go with at any age (even when legally adult)

16

Although obviously you can go in if your 16+ wants you to go in with them.

From about 15 I've asked my kids if they want me to come in, they usually do.

At around 14/15 though the GP will often request a 1:1 just to go through a questionnaire with them. Checking that everything is ok at home, do they drink etc similar to the questions after you've had a baby.

16 I'd guess, although I'd still have to drive them there due to location

My 16 year old dd went in on her own but I had to go in when they drew blood from her.
Bizarrely, I had to be there for the blood test but they wouldn't give me the result when I rang after my dd had asked me to.