I wouldn’t say I’m the most daring mom out there. If I can avoid an appointment with my little ones in tow, I definitely will. After all, is it normal for my 4-year-old and my 2-year-old to throw a fit instead of quietly sitting through my dental cleaning?
However, last week, my well-laid plans for a kid-free appointment were shattered. An unexpected situation arose, and with no babysitter available, I had to load the kids into the minivan and head to the doctor’s office. While I’m not exactly eager to repeat this experience, there are some silver linings to keep in mind if you find yourself in a similar predicament. Sure, you’ll reward yourself with the biggest glass of wine possible once you’re home, but here are some positives to consider while you’re attempting to keep your cool in the waiting room:
- Who needs a gym membership? Chasing your little ones around the office counts as a workout—take that, Jillian Michaels!
- If your kids are particularly rambunctious, the staff might feel a bit anxious that your little whirlwind will wreak havoc, leading them to summon you back for your appointment sooner than usual.
- Forget about stepping on the scale. With a screaming toddler in one arm and a hefty diaper bag in the other, you can simply give the nurse a pleading look and likely skip the weigh-in.
- If you do end up getting weighed, you have every right to shoot the nurse a grumpy stare for the rest of the visit.
- The doctor might be so overwhelmed by your children’s “enthusiasm” that she’ll agree to prescribe whatever you need to keep your sanity intact.
- This is a prime opportunity to request some sleep aids. Your kids will perfectly illustrate your claim that “Mommy is exhausted,” and the doctor might even offer a lifetime supply.
- When you receive your shiny new prescription, just give the doctor that same look, and she’ll expedite it to the pharmacy. Who wouldn’t want to avoid a lengthy wait at Target with two overtired kids?
- Thanks to the wealth of information from WebMD, you can conveniently ignore the doctor’s suggestion for a follow-up appointment in three weeks. Just act like you didn’t hear her over the chaos.
- As a reward for surviving the trip, you can swing by a drive-thru for those chicken nuggets you promised your kids and treat yourself to something delicious at the same time.
- You’ll have some serious bragging rights. Casually mention, “I took my kids to the doctor last week…” in conversations. No need to disclose that it was a battle; just saying it will earn you respect among fellow parents. You might even consider writing about it on your blog!
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this post on our site. And for those seeking information on pregnancy and reproductive health, the CDC provides excellent resources.
In summary, while taking kids to the doctor’s office can be a chaotic experience, it also has its unexpected benefits, from getting a workout to earning bragging rights among fellow parents.