To leave my 5 year old in a doctors waiting room?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I have to go to the doctor in a couple of weeks- I made an appointment to talk about my mental health/ hormones, as I am really struggling with my emotions at the moment and don’t feel right at all.

The problem is, I’m a lone parent to my 5 year old Dd , and i don’t want her hearing the conversation for obvious reasons. I don’t have any childcare help at all- no local family, friends will all be working- and I am really not sure what to do with DD for those 10-15 mins. I am pretty sure she will be ok reading a book or colouring by herself in the waiting room, but WIBU to leave her? I’m a bit nervous as of course I’ll be behind a closed door.

I’m really sorry. This was a difficult read for me but sadly unsurprising. I can’t imagine behaving like this but then I guess I’m not a racist dickhead. Sorry you’re lonely and experiencing this. X

Just want to say well done to you for going to make the appointment - it's really good you've recognised you're not feeling well and going to do something about it. Hope you can work out something with your daughter, lots of good advice here.

My GP would. As longs they know she is there. My eldest has done this a couple of times. My youngest - absolutely no chance. Depends on your GP and your kid.

bring your phone with headphones, she can listen music or watch cartoons next to you meanwhile you discuss your issues with your GP.

I would have thought if you told reception they would keep an eye on the DC, how big is the waiting room and how busy? I think asking is the best idea. It must happen often that a child can't stay in the doctor's room with their mother for one reason or another.

I’m amazed that someone who claims to be a teacher would consider leaving a 5 year old unattended - or were you expecting that the reception staff would keep an eye on them? You literally look after the welfare of children on a daily basis, and you consider doing this?

It’s insane. As others said - headphones and your phone/a tablet is a far better idea.

Definitely bring her in and shove your phone in front of her with some Bluey on it.

I have cancer and I needed to take then 6 year old ds with me to the hospital to have the wound checked from surgery and stitches removed. Dh was abroad with dd for a sports thing (we agreed she’d still go and he would take her even though it was like 3 days post-op, to keep things as normal as possible).

Ds did sit behind the curtain (I was on like a proper ward with beds and curtains), but he just watched like monster truck videos for 20 minutes and was fine.

Honestly, just ask your teacher friends, im sure they won't mind.

Take her in with you and take along an iPad or similar with headphones so she can watch something whilst you have the appointment. I wouldn’t leave a 5yo alone in a waiting room. If this isn’t an option, can’t you rebook when she starts school presumably also in a few weeks?

EDIT- sorry just seen the other replies have already said similar. They didn’t load initially.

I would. What’s going to happen in a doctors surgery. Just give her something to do and ask her to knock on the door if she needs you

I was running late for a MH appointment once and so took my 3yo DD but they wouldn’t let her sit in so cancelled on me.
Ask the GP if they can do an appointment before/after your work hours or via phone.
it’s really hard getting appts when you work!
good luck

I think these types of appointments are a bit different though. I'm also a lone parent and have taken ds to lots of appointments, even smear tests where he can sit out of the line of sight. But I also remember being around Ops dds age and my mum seeking mental health support and getting upset in the appointment and there was nothing could have distracted me enough when I knew she wasn't OK. It was scary as a very young child to see her that way whereas I understood that doctors help make our physical bodies better.

So a curtain might not be enough plus op deserves the space to be open and honest about how she's feeling and why.

This.

That’s awful. I’m so sorry you’ve experienced this xxx

Very sad and angry to read this. That’s awful.

As a retired nurse no practice nurse has the time to be used as a baby sitter ! It's unreasonable to expect someone a small child doesn't know to look after her while the parent is in a consultation.
Best to get an online consultation arranged.
Your child , your responsibility I'm.afraid !

13?!?!

I'm not sure this level of outrage is remotely appropriate for someone wanting to leave their child in a waiting room while going into a GP's consulting room a few meters away. It's not considered appropriate in the UK, but in the European country I live in my dentist was praising the upbringing, independence skills and competence of a six year old regular patient who arrived independently (i.e. on their own) to their checkup appointment yesterday...

For typically developing neurotypical children what's considered age appropriate versus negligence is very culturally relative!

I agree with Iphone and headphones with something you have chosen. It's not for long and your child will enjoy it.

I remember having to take both of mine when I went for a smear test and my two year old daughter started playing peek a boo with the curtain, argh, luckily the nurse was very understanding.

I think it depends on what your gp surgery is like - at my village one you absolutely could do this because the surgery is small enough and the receptionists would be fine. At bigger town gps where rooms are all on different floors and there are numerous waiting rooms then absolutely not.
Could you do a phone appointment? I find it easier to be honest on the phone when discussing my mental health but that might just be me

I don’t think you’ll be able to concentrate and focus on your appointment knowing your little girl was in the waiting room.

'but in the European country I live in my dentist was praising the upbringing, independence skills and competence of a six year old regular patient who arrived independently (i.e. on their own) to their checkup appointment yesterday...'

Absolutely crazy! Negligent and a massive safe guarding issue. Who on earth sends a 6yr old to the dentist alone .

Well first few days are inset days. What will you do with 5 year old on those days ?

Take her in with you with ear phones and Peppa pig on a tablet?

Headphones yes.
But also when you go into the consulting room see if she can sit behind you in a corner, you'll find it a lot easier to say what you need to if she doesn't have your face in sight..
Depends on the room obvs.