As a mother, I often find myself avoiding appointments if I can’t figure out a way to go without my kids. It seems unrealistic to expect my 4-year-old and my 2-year-old to sit still while a dentist cleans my teeth, right? However, last week, my careful plans crumbled when I had a last-minute doctor’s visit. With no childcare options available, I loaded the kids into the minivan and off we went.
I’m not saying I’m eager for a repeat of that adventure, but if you ever find yourself in this situation, there are some upsides to consider. Yes, you might promise yourself a massive glass of wine upon returning home if you survive, but here are several benefits to keep in mind while navigating the chaos of a medical appointment with your little ones in tow:
- No Waiting Room Doldrums: Forget boredom; chasing your kids around the office can double as your workout for the day. Who needs a gym membership when you have toddlers?
- Accelerated Appointments: If your children are rambunctious enough, the staff may hurry you back for your appointment out of concern for the office’s well-being.
- Weight Measurement? No Thanks: Balancing a diaper bag, a fussy baby, and a toddler charging toward the nurse’s station may earn you an easy pass on the scale. Just give the nurse That Look.
- Justified Grumpiness: If the nurse insists on weighing you, you can glare at her throughout the visit, and it’ll be completely understandable.
- Prescriptions on Demand: The doctor might be so overwhelmed by your children’s energy that she’ll prescribe whatever you ask for, just to get you out of there.
- Tired Mom Justification: With your kids acting up, you’ll have an excellent reason to claim you’re exhausted, and the doctor may even offer you a lifetime supply of sleep aids.
- Quick Pharmacy Visits: When the doctor hands over your prescription, you can use That Look once more, prompting her to send it to the pharmacy quickly. Just don’t think about how fun it’ll be to wait at Target with overtired kids.
- Selective Hearing: If the doctor suggests a follow-up in three weeks, you can conveniently pretend to not hear her over your kids’ noise—no need for another copay.
- Drive-Thru Treats: After all the chaos, when you swing by for the promised chicken nuggets for the kids, grab a little something for yourself too; it’s a matter of convenience, after all.
- Bragging Rights: Don’t hesitate to drop the line, “When I took my kids to the doctor last week…” into conversations. You can keep the hellish details to yourself for some serious street cred among fellow parents.
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In summary, while taking your children to the doctor may seem daunting, it can actually provide unexpected advantages. From turning chaos into exercise to securing faster appointments, the experience can offer some unique perks.