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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children in waiting rooms

311 replies

BigRedLondonBus · 26/05/2019 14:32

Dd has some regular hospital appointments at the moment but I have no child care so it means taking all 4 children to the hospital with me. It’s abit of a nightmare what age would it be acceptable to leave children in the waiting room whilst we have the actual appointment?

OP posts:
AbbyHammond · 26/05/2019 14:34

I'd probably leave my 7 & 8 year olds but not the 3 & 5 year olds.

Houseonahill · 26/05/2019 14:36

Depends on the children and there age but tbh if they are young enough to need child care I would say too young to leave in the waiting room unless one is an old teenager and none of them are toddlers?

TheInvestigator · 26/05/2019 14:37

Depends on age and how sensible they are. If they will sit quietly and read a book or play with a toy, then fine to leave them. But if they will scream and shout, or interupt other people or expect the reception staff to talk to them then you can leave them.

Really, they need to be able to behave and entertain themselves and be no trouble to anyone else.

Original poster
BigRedLondonBus · 26/05/2019 14:37

GReat my older two are 7&8 which are the two I was thinking of leaving the waiting room, but didn’t want to if it was inappropriate. Last time we didn’t all fit in the room and it was very distracting

OP posts:
TheInvestigator · 26/05/2019 14:39

*can't

herculepoirot2 · 26/05/2019 14:40

I don’t think it’s appropriate, sorry. Who are you suggesting should be responsible for them?

Original poster
BigRedLondonBus · 26/05/2019 14:41

I don’t think anyone needs to be responsible for them. They can sit quietly on their iPads.

OP posts:
AbbyHammond · 26/05/2019 14:42

Sensible 7 & 8 year olds can sit quietly with a book or tablet for 10-15 minutes with a parent in the next room. They don't need anyone else to be 'responsible'.

Hermagsjesty · 26/05/2019 14:42

8+ I would say, but it depends on the kid.

Looneytune253 · 26/05/2019 14:42

Lol @herculepoirot2 children do become more self responsible by about that age. I'm guessing you don't have children. My 8 year old is responsible enough to sit in the next room quietly alone and come and knock politely if there's a problem.

herculepoirot2 · 26/05/2019 14:43

Well, I can’t agree with you there. Hospitals are unpredictable places.

my2bundles · 26/05/2019 14:43

Around 7 or 8. This is the age I would do it with my youngest when I had to take my oldest for appointments. Houseonahill at 7 he was ok to be left in a waiting room for 10 minutes as he knew I was there and he could knock on tne door of he needed me. Left at home he would have needed childcare as I would have been gone for 2 hours due to using public transport. There's a world of difference to leaving a child home colonel for 2 hours and having them wait in a waiting room for 10 minutes when they can see you whenever they need.

TheInvestigator · 26/05/2019 14:43

Just make sure you turn the volume down to an appropriate level before you leave them. It's really not OK to have an iPad playing at a volume which affects everyone else in the room.

Smellbellina · 26/05/2019 14:43

I agree, mine were going on bike rides and to the park by themselves at 7 and 8, I would have happily left them in a public room by themselves whilst I was in a room next door

herculepoirot2 · 26/05/2019 14:44

Looneytune253

As it happens I do. Last time I was in a hospital waiting room a woman was dragged in screaming by police, swearing at everyone and covered in blood. She then pissed herself. Not a place I would leave a 7 and an 8 year old.

AbbyHammond · 26/05/2019 14:45

Are you talking about A&E hercule?

TheInvestigator · 26/05/2019 14:45

Hercule, we're not talking about an emergency room in a disaster movie or soap opera. It's a waiting room in an area if the hospital for pre-booked appointments, like ear, nose and throat or something. There aren't any emergency happening in there. Nobody being rushed past into surgery or collapsing on their chairs. It's a quite waiting room. The kids will be fine if they are sensible and at that age, they will be able to handle it.

herculepoirot2 · 26/05/2019 14:47

It was A&E, yes. But I have been in other waiting rooms - doctors’ surgeries, family planning clinics etc. I have seen all sorts of people. I wouldn’t leave my children unaccompanied there, and I would not expect staff to let me do so unchallenged. Anyway, not looking for an argument. The OP asked and that is what I think.

Looneytune253 · 26/05/2019 14:47

Lol but that could happen when they're 13 or 16 and I'm sure you're not suggesting you can never ever leave them alone. Although it's not the staffs job to supervise the children I'm pretty sure any adult would help out in a (rare) situation that you describe

AbbyHammond · 26/05/2019 14:47

I do kind of like the idea of the police dragging a screaming drunk up three flights of stairs to dump them in the paediatric audiology clinic waiting room though...

LailaDay · 26/05/2019 14:48

No problem for a 7 & 8 year old, and absolutely the most sensible thing to do in your situation. Just ignore other judging mums.

herculepoirot2 · 26/05/2019 14:48

Looneytune253

Well, no, but I wasn’t asked about a 13 or 16 year old. A teenager is a different proposition to a 7 year old. It’s just not something I’d be comfortable with.

AbbyHammond · 26/05/2019 14:49

It's really come to something if people believe junior school age children can't sit the other side of a door to their parent for 10 minutes without it being a huge risk Hmm

m0therofdragons · 26/05/2019 14:50

I had a smear recently and I said to the receptionist on booking that I'd have my 2 7yos with me and would it be okay if I left them in the waiting area. She said yes of course and I'm working that day so I'll watch them. They took some toys and all was good.

TheInvestigator · 26/05/2019 14:52

Well, it will be the kids who suffer most when parents won't allow them some independence and some chances at being responsible. Kids need that. And a hospital waiting room is a fine place to try it. They are always very quiet, so if any odd character started talking to them, the whole room would hear. They are also enclosed room rather than big sprawling places with separate sections so they can't run off to a different part. And there are staff in every room if something did happen.