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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Leaving kids unsupervised at a hospital appointment

41 replies

ChumpyWumpy · 06/02/2018 17:35

I’ve had a hospital appointment come through on a day in the half term holiday and I can’t find anyone to have my two children on that day. They are DD, aged 12 and DS aged 7. I was thinking of taking them with me but leaving them in the reception area cafe while I have my appointment. They are both sensible kids but DD is definitely more sensible than DS. I would take them both up to the actual department with me but I don’t want my daughter seeing where I’m going as she’ll worry (unnecessarily). I really shouldn’t be longer than half an hour but am still nervous about leaving them. WWYD?

OP posts:
JaneEyre70 · 06/02/2018 17:39

No chance. You don't know who could be walking around there. Either take them in with you, or change your appointment.

LIZS · 06/02/2018 17:40

Rearrange the appointment, ask to be called if there is a cancellation.

SmilingButClueless · 06/02/2018 17:41

Can your DD be left at home and take your DS with you?

Gatehouse77 · 06/02/2018 17:42

I'd have done it with mine at that age.
And a promise of something if they behave - magazine, lunch, favourite cake.

ThisLittleKitty · 06/02/2018 17:44

No I don't think the cafe will be happy basically supervising them.

PenguinsandPandas · 06/02/2018 17:46

I wouldn't leave them at a café no, 12 year old maybe but not with a 7 year old. 12 year old is fine to stay home but they recommend around 14 for looking after siblings.

So 7 year old either a playdate or do you know a 14 year old plus child who you could pay to babysit or rearrange.

Dons1975 · 06/02/2018 17:46

A 12 year old should be able to supervise a 7 year old for half an hour. As long as you trust them
To stay put and not carry on. By the time they have a milkshake and a sandwich or cake time will be almost up.

RicStar · 06/02/2018 17:48

No. Hospitals are busy confusing places. Can you be sure your appointment will run on time - mine never do.

Bombardier25966 · 06/02/2018 17:50

What if you're more than half an hour? Hospital appts often run late, I've been waiting four hours after my appointment time before.

PenguinsandPandas · 06/02/2018 17:52

Other option but not the cheapest is lots of clubs on in half term depending on time.

martellandginger · 06/02/2018 17:52

God no. Put them in holiday club or exchange child minding with another parent. I went to a lovely hospital and was a bit shocked to see drunks loitering at the doors just a few feet from the cafe. If I was back in London I would have expected it but certainly not in this nice part of the country.

Cath2907 · 06/02/2018 17:53

I would not do that. Way too risky to my mind!

RowenasDiadem · 06/02/2018 17:53

Really? I wouldn't think twice about leaving my 12 year old supervising my 7 year old for a short while. But as hospitals are so big and busy it would have to be at the department, in the waiting area. Just explain it's a standard appointment and reassure your DD.

Sharpandshineyteeth · 06/02/2018 17:55

I would expect my 12yo to supervise my 7yo for a short period. Has the 12yo got a phone?

Shednik · 06/02/2018 17:56

I wouldn't think twice about it. I'm amazed people think it's risky. Don't your 12 year olds go to town with their friends? Get themselves to and from school?? In fact, I have left my 10and 8 year old in the waiting area.

The cafe wouldn't be supervising them Confused

fruitbrewhaha · 06/02/2018 17:57

No I don't think this is a good idea. Hospitals are huge places and the cafe could be quite a walk from the department you're visiting. You could be waiting ages for your appointment, hours even.

There is every cross section of society in a hospital, some of those are going to be a bit weird.

Original poster
ChumpyWumpy · 06/02/2018 17:58

Thanks for your replies, guys.

SmilingButClueless, I don’t think DD would want to stay on her own (at home). She’s fine for short periods of time when I drop DS off at clubs and come straight back but this would be a tad too much for her.
PenguinsandPandas, I think a play date for my son would be good (just need to find someone- so many people are going away for the week!) If I did find a play date for him then I’d take DD with me and she’d be quite happy sitting in reception I think.

OP posts:
negomi90 · 06/02/2018 17:58

Leave them in the waiting area, not another part of the hospital. That way in an emergency they can get you/barge into your appointment.
Plus NHS appointments rarely run to time.
Tell your dd what's going on in an age appropriate way. Leaving her in a cafe while you disappear for a while, will not make her less anxious than whatever appointment you have. A 12 year old will be coming up with scary ideas regardless, so tell her something so she doesn't have to fear the unknown and knows she can talk to you about her worries for you.

Sirzy · 06/02/2018 17:58

You can’t predict how long things will take at a hospital appointment though. Taking them with you and leaving them in the waiting room maybe but certainly not leaving them in the cafe

Rollmopsrule · 06/02/2018 17:59

Just take them right up to the department and leave them in the waiting room with a magazine each. Say the appointment is for something really innocuous like a sore toe or something. The 12 Yr old is surely old enough to supervise a 7yr old?

expatinscotland · 06/02/2018 17:59

I'd rearrange the appointment.

fruitbrewhaha · 06/02/2018 17:59

But yes to at the department you're visiting, they will be fine there.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 06/02/2018 18:00

I would happily send them into the cafe to buy their lunch or a cake and drink. Quite normal where we are.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 06/02/2018 18:00

Does the hospital have a cafe?

upsideup · 06/02/2018 18:03

I would probably leave my 10 and 8 year old together in a hospital cafe and would definately trust a 12 year old, i dont get why people are so against it, what is the worry about?

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