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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:
herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 10:21

Persimmonn

That was kind of them. It would have been very rude of you to assume. As for what o think can happen, I think 20 minutes is plenty of time for bad outcomes to happen to unsupervised 6-8 year olds.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 27/05/2019 10:26

Of course they don’t! HCPs are there to do a job, not watch your children. You were lucky

Now this i actually do agree with but yes very often a HCP or receptionist will keep a wether eye.

They would often prefer to do that than take the child in to the appointment

YetAnotherThing · 27/05/2019 10:27

If no space in consulting room, I would put them in the two chairs nearest your consulting room with the door slightly ajar and show them exactly where you are. Consulting room corridors look the same so they need to know which room to knock and to not burst into someone else’s consultation. Confidentiality is about what’s acceptable to you, so if you are happy to have door ajar, then doctor won’t mind (assuming you’re not having a procedure etc) and it’s a conversation-only style consult.

Scareypoppins1 · 27/05/2019 10:35

I absolutely agree. I'm astounded at how many people have commented here with the assumption that it's fine to take it for granted that the hospital staff will keep an eye on your kids.
They are busy, and this is not their job.
It's nice to see that a couple of people have said the same, but very few.
I'm not even saying this from the perspective of 'you don't know if you can trust them with your children'. It is simply not their job, and I can imagine how often it happens. If you know your kids are old and responsible enough to not need childcare in this situation, not a problem. Otherwise, just no.
OP, phone the hospital prior to the appointment. This situation isn't unheard of, and there may be a bigger room available. Hospitals will work with you, they want you to be able to attend your appointment.
I hope it all works out well for you.

Ukcda · 27/05/2019 10:47

It depends upon kids
Washing machine repair near me

DizzySue · 27/05/2019 10:51

Children under the age of 8 are not allowed in libraries without adult supervision. I think that is probably a good indication of what's too young.

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 10:54

DizzySue

I wouldn’t send my 8 year old alone to a public library. Or swimming.

Alsohuman · 27/05/2019 11:16

Ffs @hercule, haven't you given up yet? Nineteen hours and still at it!

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 11:25

Alsohuman

It interests me. Nothing wrong with that.

Persimmonn · 27/05/2019 12:22

I think 20 minutes is plenty of time for bad outcomes to happen to unsupervised 6-8 year olds.

I wouldn’t send my 8 year old alone to a public library. Or swimming

Ffs. 20mins for bad outcomes in a waiting room with countless other adults sitting there? What are you raising? I’m raising respectable, civilised humans who would know at the age of 6+ to sit down quietly in a serious place like a hospital.

As for the swimming comment, at our local swimming pools children are allowed to swim alone from age 7+ for free provided they can swim. Why the hell wouldn’t you let your child swim alone for free, when there are life guards and other people around? I can’t understand your helicopter parenting, but if you’re that protective then good luck to you and your child.

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 12:23

Persimmonn

Well, that was rude. You’ll have to excuse me for believing my children are my responsibility rather than relying on “countless adults” (strangers) to look after them.Hmm

Persimmonn · 27/05/2019 12:38

Well they won’t be will they? Because your children will sit quietly and not cause trouble. Wink

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 12:39

Persimmonn

I am not worried about my children causing trouble. I am worried about them being vulnerable.

DuchessDarty · 27/05/2019 13:04

Not sure if you’re still reading OP but if you are, then even though there’s no signs up in the waiting room, it’s worth checking the hospital’s website for their visiting info. Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for example specify on their website that children are not to be left unattended in the outpatients department at any time (see attached photo).

Children in waiting rooms
daisypond · 27/05/2019 13:05

No rule about no unaccompanied under-eights at my library, as far as I know.

GPatz · 27/05/2019 13:33

'I wouldn’t send my 8 year old alone to a public library. Or swimming'.

Its probably best that you didn't as they are unlikely to cope as well as more resilient children.

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 13:36

GPatz

That’s your third comment questioning the resilience of my children. Resilience doesn’t mean you don’t get abducted or assaulted or robbed, GPatz. My children need adult supervision because they are children, not because they are weak. Okay?

Persimmonn · 27/05/2019 13:41

Vulnerable to what exactly? A kidnapper? In a children’s hospital waiting room? A virus? A paedophile? I’m just finding this so ridiculous 😁.

OP, do ask the secretary if you can leave your children in the waiting area. I bet they’ll be fine, as most hospitals would be happy.

Persimmonn · 27/05/2019 13:42

Oh wow, you really do mean a kidnapper 🤣. Can you show me evidence of how many children have been kidnapped from a hospital in the past 10 years in the U.K.

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 13:43

Persimmonn

Yes. I know it isn’t likely, but I don’t leave my children unattended just in case.

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 13:44

Persimmonn

Oh bore off with your “evidence”. I’m sure very few children have been kidnapped from anywhere. But when the next one is, it won’t be mine.

DuchessDarty · 27/05/2019 13:50

Persimmonn most hospitals would not be happy for 7 year olds to be left unattended in the waiting room. Some, yes, but not most.

Persimmonn · 27/05/2019 13:51

🤣 We’re talking about hospital waiting rooms here. Not other places. No one on this thread has said they’d leave their 6 year old on a bus to town, where they would actually be vulnerable. But, okay!!

herculepoirot2 · 27/05/2019 13:55

Persimmonn

And yet in most hospitals, this definitely wouldn’t be allowed. I wonder why!

MaximusHeadroom · 27/05/2019 13:56

I have light therapy twice a week and the receptionist watches my 18 month old whilst I go in. They have done it since she was born.

They are pretty awesome though Grin

I would totally leave my older 2 in the waiting room and they are 9 and 5. They would sit quietly and could just knock on the door if there was a problem