Question for the moms of boys...

[Starbrite]

What age do you stop going into the Dr's Office / Exam Room with your son? If he's just there for a check-up.

DS is 13. He has a check-up this week. I usually walk him back, hang out for the medical review, Q&A - then leave. A Co-Worker says she always stays with her boys - which are the same age as mine.

Just curious what the majority of people do?

 

[Minniemama350]

He's 12 and I still go. I'll stop when he asks me to or the Dr. doesn't seem to need me there.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I have a 10 year old, and still stay, but I've started asking him. I'll stop staying when he stops asking me to -- no idea how old that would be.

 

[quentina]

My son was 12 in July. His last visit, I was told to wait outside and the doctor would come for me when they were done.

 

[Tiggeroo]

12-13 unless there is something I have a big concern about. I can't imagine my sons wanting me there for their checkups older then that. Also I felt that if my kids had something they need advice for and didn't want to ask mom they could ask the dr. I also felt I knew my children very well. But when the dr. asks questions about things like sexual activity or drug or alcohol use I wanted to be very sure they would be honest and with me there they might not.

 

[Sandy321]

I have 2 adult sons now - I let them and the doctor decide - because there were 2 maybe it was "safety" in numbers?

I believe they were 13 and 10 - and then the doctor did ask if it was ok to interview the kids seperately -

I will say DS' were Hockey Players and one time DS had a "private" injury that needed to be x-rayed - and he wanted me there holding his hand - I thought it was awkward with him being older- but I still was glad he needed his "mom" and I was able to stand there and hold his hand!! (it turned out to be nothing more than 'swollen")

when DS2 was 21 he had a head injury and I insisted on an MRI - no small feat believe it or not! and again, when it came time for everyone to leave the room, I asked ds and he wanted me in the room (no hand holding - but I teased him by singing (badly) Boy Scout songs!! which lightened the mood considerably!!)

So there is no "right" or wrong answer - it all just depends!!

Good Luck!!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Now when they were hurt or I was really worried about it I went in. Also I went in after the check up to go over anything the dr. was concerned about.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Pedi asked DS at 13 if he prefered me to stay out and he said yes.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My sons is 13, and it hasn't occurred to me that I shouldn't be with him in the examining room. I suppose when he starts showing more signs of maturity (i.e., puberty), I'll stop.

 

[my3sonsagn]

My oldest is 15; I stopped going back when he said he wanted me to (I started asking when he was 12; 13 is when he said he'd go alone). While he goes back alone, the dr always calls me back once the exam is done just to kind of go over his general health, and, if he's sick, the diagnosis and treatment plan.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My oldest is 15; I stopped going back when he said he wanted me to (I started asking when he was 12; 13 is when he said he'd go alone). While he goes back alone, the dr always calls me back once the exam is done just to kind of go over his general health, and, if he's sick, the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Mine is 15 and has yet to say a word.....He rarely goes to dr, just once a year check up (we see specialists for everything else and I would not ever NOT go with him, unless specifically asked) I am thinking I must have been out of the room at some point so his "cough" test could be completed, but I seriously do not even recall that. I guess when he or Dr asks, I'll be fine with it...till then...I'll walk in with him and see how it goes...

 

[karen l]

I stopped going in with my boys around the age of twelve. The doctor always has me come in after the exam so I can ask questions & discuss the results.
Same scenario with my DD. Allowing them to go in on their own helped them interact with their doctor on a more mature level & they also felt more in control of the visit.

 

[kidzmom3]

on his 13th checkup. everyone deserves privacy if they want it. He was/still is!! my oldest and I am glad the doctor asked my son, because I honestly wouldn't have thought of it.

 

[jordansmomma]

My oldest DS is 13 and I still go back with him. But when it comes time for the exam the Dr. pulls the curtain and I step behind it.

I think that I need to be there for the medical Q & A's and make sure that I am not missing out on something vital that the Dr needs to say or finds.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I starting asking both of my children at around age 8 if they want me to go back with them or not. Both usually still do, though for just a routine shot or dental issue (I ask at the dentist too) DD12 prefers to go alone and DS10 prefers to go alone at the dentist as well. I think it is important that I am the one doing the asking. I figure teens have enough embarremnt with puberty that they do not need to feel like they have to ask ME to leave--I should be asking them if I can stay. I also wanted to start asking long before it suddenly seemed like they may care so they are not worrying before the appointment about how to get rid of me if the custom up to that point has been for me to always go with them. Thus far they want me in the room (especially lately becuase we recently moved and still need to work all together sometimes to get somethign translated).

 

[shortbun]

My son is 14. I go in and stay. He does the talking unless the doctor addresses me. I'll go with him at least another couple of years until he's old enough to drive himself and fill prescriptions.

 

[aprilgail2]

I asked my daughter this year (she is 10) and she still wants me in there with her. I do remember though at 13 my godsons Dr wanted to see him alone and whomever brought him to the Dr that day had to wait outside(even mom) until they were finished with the exam-then they called you in to talk to you- he had cancer though and was at that dr a LOT. I do remember this sting of wooden beads of varying sizes that they used to have there and they would compare his testicles to one of the beads each viist for "size"- that would NOT have been comfortable for him with a female in the room at that age!

 

[golfgal]

I still go with them if they are there because they are sick but for physicals, they can go by themselves-they are 17 and 14. I will let DD go by herself for a physical too, also 14.

 

[DisnyMama]

My DS (18) tells me if he if he wants me to come in or not which he usually does. Last round of visits which he definately wanted me there to talk to the doctor was for a lump in his arm pit that he had to see a surgeon and have removed. The worse was the surgeon wouldn't let me in the procedure room when he removed the lump which was when DS really wanted me there. All turned out ok though.

 

[Christine]

Our peds office requires the parent to walk back for the initial portion of the visit. The doctor talks with both the parent and child regarding the health issue, and the the doctor asks the parent to leave at the start of the physical exam. My son is 14 and this has been going on since he was about 9 or 10.