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.

Bring her in with an iPad and headphones?

Like others I'm really sorry to read this - things like not adding you to the WhatsApp group are so blatant and absolutely wrong. It sounds as though you've tried several groups too (you do get cliques in some groups but can usually find a more friendly/ open alternative, it's frankly awful that more than one group has treated you this way).

I had a similar situation, needed bloods taken but if im not physically holding my 5yr old (SEN) he would cause havoc. I asked the receptionist would anyone be free to hang on to him just for the length of time it would take to jab me with the needle but she said they couldn't guarantee anyone would be free so I had to wait an extra couple of weeks until he was back in school.
My bloods thankfully weren't urgent and I've also experienced low mood and anxiety that I couldn't talk about in front of my children so I know its not ideal to wait but could it be an option to rearrange the appointment for when your DD is back at school? Or could you request a telephone appointment instead? Either way phone the surgery beforehand and see if anyone can watch her as you don't want the stress of being turned away on the day

Just call the surgery - 😂 cos it's so easy lol - and ask the receptionists if this will be ok.

I'm pretty sure this just unlocked a memory or being allowed behind the counter in our Drs iirc, but it was a tiny 2 Dr practice.

The same people who spent the last year before school started teaching them the way to school in order to send them to school alone from day two (the first day is a big deal and the whole family go), and have taught them how to open the front door and what to do in an emergency and which neighbous to go to, and practiced incrementally leaving them alone for short periods, so that they can come home and be on their own for an hour or two, given that the early years of primary school the school day ends at 11:30am.

It's considered negligent not to have taught your child (if no relevant additional needs) to be pretty independent by the time they start school (at age 6). Culturally relative.

Take IPad / phone & noise cancelling headphones - she can watch something whilst you talk to the doctor 🤷‍♀️

Put headphone on your child with a show if you don’t want them to hear. You cannot leave them unattended fgs

@BarbaraVineFan OP, all the outraged posters have clearly never been a lone parent.

I have and I would call the doctors in the first instance and explain and ask if she could be watched in reception with a tablet or book. If they say no I would change it to a telephone appointment instead so you can pop the tv on and have a proper chat.

it’s shit sometimes on your own but definitely don’t miss the appointment, there’s ways round it

I had to speak to GP about DV. I asked receptionist to watch my 6 year old. They did!

OP I know you said you will order headphones for your daughter.

I wondered if you could pop to the GP in your lunch break? Alternatively have a call instead of going into the GPs office?

I appreciate it's difficult for teachers to have time away from the classroom yet in certain circumstances you must prioritise your health. It's ok to do that.

Take care.

You have lost your nind if you even think of it as an option. Make a telephone appointment seesh!

It's always difficult to ask a favour, but often people will be happy to help, and you may be able to repay them in kind. My FB memories recently threw up a post where I asked whether any of my friends would swap having my DD for a couple of hours for me having their kid/kids on another day.

hi everyone, just to remind some posters that perhaps it isn’t great to suggest to someone who says that she is struggling with their mental health that they are ‘crazy’ or have ‘lost their mind’…

I have already said that I am going to get some headphones for DD and this will solve the problem.

Thank you to everyone who has been helpful, it is much appreciated .

No, please don’t leave her. My dd is 5 - she would feel very insecure if I left her in a waiting room. I mean, anyone could just take her.

That’s a great idea (headphones)!

another option might be to write things down for the GP to read.

I’m a GP receptionist.
I’ve stood by a baby in a pram for a moment while mum nipped to the loo, but while I’d be happy to watch your child, I don’t think my boss would look favourably on it for a ten min appointment. Neither would they be happy with the child being left alone in the waiting room. Worst case scenario they might either wander out of the front door or start going into clinical rooms looking for you.
I think it would have to be a phone appointment or headphones as pp have suggested, unless anyone - neighbour, colleague, even a neighbour’s teenage daughter, could be persuaded to come with you and sit with your child in the waiting room.

Yes it would be very unreasonable, I wouldn't be surprised if they reported you to social services if you did it. Can you not put it off till child is back at school or ask for a telephone appointment?

You know nurses are extensively trained professionals, right, and not babysitters?!

I think it's definitely outside of a receptionist's job role too.

I had a smear and needed to leave older kids in waiting room.
One was distraught. Really surprised me as I wasn't long and had spike about it and they have been there a few times so it wasn't a strange environment. But I was taken back by hoe scared he was.
Favourite movie and headphones if any pal really can't help.
Hope it goes ok

I think a programme on a phone/tablet with headphones is your best bet. A 5 year old will be much more interested that than anything you and the doctor are talking about. You won’t be able to talk properly for worry if you leave her outside.

Can you not just put on some headphones on her connected to your phone for an episode or two of bluey on youtube while you talk to the dr?

Yes, would you feel more comfortable doing this if you presented it as a swap rather than just a favour?

Arrange a phone appointment and put Bluey on

I’m sure they will understand and keep an eye on her while you’re in your appointment

@BarbaraVineFan good luck. I hope your appointment is helpful.