Parenting tip: doctor office waiting rooms

Yesterday I had an appointment at the dermatologist and since it was too late for the babysitter's schedule, I schlepped the kids along. Not exactly fun - for them or me - but we tried to stack the deck in our favor. First I packed a small snack bag, and then let Truett put a handful of toys into a canvas bag.

At first he wanted to "yoad it to the top!" but I limited the contents to one book, one truck & a couple of other little things for fun.

It worked perfectly! We waited about fifteen minutes in the outer waiting room & luckily the other patients seemed amused with Truett pushing his truck along the ground while narrating loudly. Once we got into the inside waiting room (seriously, it's own form of torture) the bag of snacks & toys kept June and Truett busy for a few other minutes.

Of course had we waited much longer even the bag would have lost it's magic, but it will totally save the day for your average wait :)

(Check out little dude's new haircut! Also, here's his first real haircut.)

Comments

[HannaH]

Between a bunch of well visits and trips to the pedi for different ailments, we've spent some signiticant time waiting rooms in recent months. One trick I stumbled upon is making "balloons" out of the latex gloves in the patient rooms. They are sometimes hard to tie off and stay inflated, but I've also just let them fly around the room when I let go. The kids get endless enjoyment, although I end up pretty winded! I also keep a little backpack of toys for Callum to explore when we go to restaurants and the like. I try to rotate toys so that he doesn't get bored of the same few and it's a bit of a surprise. Those waiting rooms can be a real chore!

[Miriam]

Could this child BE any cuter?!!

[Hope]

Aw, thanks Miriam!

Hannah - I eyed those, but wasn't sure how my doctor would feel about it. Next time I'm doing it :)