Well check ups at the pediatricians office?

[live4christp1]

DS & DD have their well check ups scheduled soon. DS will have just turned 13. Our pediatrician does well checks every two years after they reach age 5 so last time we went in for well checks DS was 11. As it happens around this age, puberty is upon us and DS is starting to experience the physical changes that come along with that.

I'm wondering at what age did you start sending your kids back to the exam on their own?

Thinking maybe DS might be embarrassed for me to be there, though I would be available to meet with the doctor after the physical exam/consultation.

Thanks!
Cristy

 

[krcit]

My kids are 15, 11 and 9. I let the girls go in alone(15, 11) and I still go in with my baby I figure I have at least another year or 2 with him. The Dr comes out to talk to me after she sees the girls

 

[NHdisneylover]

For well checks? DS11 has been going in alone since he was about 8.

 

[SaraJayne]

My DS is 13 and the last couple years I've asked him if he'd prefer to go back by himself or have me come with. I would be fine with either option.

He still chooses to have me come back, but I don't say much. Unless the ped asks me a direct question, I just sit there.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have two girls ages 10 and just turned 14. I've gone in with them every year. I let the older decide. We'll see what she decides next week!

I have no shame in regards to going in with my child. If they want me there, I'm there. No problem.

Just wanted to add that I think it makes a difference if you are talking about kids of the opposite sex. Going in with a child of the opposite sex would probably end sooner than a child of the same sex. JMO.

 

[LBAK]

My girls started going in about 11 or 12. I was just as embarrassed as they were so all was good. The ped talks to me after the exam.

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter went in by herself this year- she is 10 and well into puberty. I want to give her time alone with the Dr before I talk to the Dr after the exam.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

DS is 14 and just had his well check up last week.

I waited in the hall for him at his request. After the exam, the Doc had me come in the room and we reviewed everything.

DS was much more comfortable doing it this way.

 

[scrapquitler]

DD is 13. Honestly, I never even thought about not going in with her...it never even occurred to me! Next time I take her, I guess I'll ask her what she prefers. I can certainly see that she might not want me in there with her.

 

[mom2travel]

I go back with DS(newly 15) and DD(10). In our ped practice, the nurse does height, weight, BP, hearing and vision, and then takes them back to their assigned exam room. The doctor comes in and goes over basics/updates since the prior year's physical - I let the kids answer the questions unless there is something specifically directed to me or a particular concern. DD and I leave the room while DS is examined - have been doing this for a few years, maybe since he was 12. Then DS leaves the room while DD is examined - I stay for hers and will continue to do so for as long as she would like me to. We all then reconvene back in the room for the doctor to discuss anything with me about both of them and to go over what shots they will be getting.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

My DS is 9, and I went back with him this year. But he asked me to turn my head for part of the exam...so I obliged, lol. I'm guessing in the next year or two I won't be going with him at all...well, maybe just the paperwork part.

 

[kellydizfan]

Well it should be interesting in a couple of weeks. I need to take my 12 year old to the GYN as she is having problems with her period. I will be there but DH will also. I wonder if she will let us both be with her or we will need to wait. They don't think there will be a need for an exam at this point in time. They do have a female dr. who handles strickly children but she is on her honeymoon now and we couldn't wait till she comes back the middle of July. DD will actually see the Dr. who delivered her. LOL!

 

[skuttle]

Starting at age 6 my son's doctor does well visits every other year so we won't have one this year, but will next when he is 8. I'll ask him what he would rather at that time.

What about the gender of the doctor. Our ped is female. Should I try to switch DS to a male doctor at some point?

 

[DebD4T]

I go back with DS(newly 15) and DD(10). In our ped practice, the nurse does height, weight, BP, hearing and vision, and then takes them back to their assigned exam room. The doctor comes in and goes over basics/updates since the prior year's physical - I let the kids answer the questions unless there is something specifically directed to me or a particular concern. DD and I leave the room while DS is examined - have been doing this for a few years, maybe since he was 12. Then DS leaves the room while DD is examined - I stay for hers and will continue to do so for as long as she would like me to. We all then reconvene back in the room for the doctor to discuss anything with me about both of them and to go over what shots they will be getting.

This is what I do also.

For those of you whose doctors only do well check ups every 2 years, how do you get around the physicals that are required for school? Does the doctor just fill in the information from the year prior?

 

[aprilgail2]

Well it should be interesting in a couple of weeks. I need to take my 12 year old to the GYN as she is having problems with her period. I will be there but DH will also. I wonder if she will let us both be with her or we will need to wait. !

I could never ever imagine having my father in the room with me at the regular Dr as a 12 year old nevermind discussing things regarding my period and having him there- OMG!!!

Starting at age 6 my son's doctor does well visits every other year so we won't have one this year, but will next when he is 8. I'll ask him what he would rather at that time.

What about the gender of the doctor. Our ped is female. Should I try to switch DS to a male doctor at some point?

Wow- we go every year, as an adult I go every year so I don't see why I would not expect them to see my child once a year for a physical. I was shocked to hear that some peds don't bother doing yearly blood work run ups on children either!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I have never heard of doing well child visits every other year. That's interesting.

 

[disneymarie]

What would happen in a 14 yr old well check, that she would not want me in there, Anything Personal she will not allow. Very shy and doctor phobic. She has to be really ill to allow me to take her to doc. He is sensitive to her, had the same one for 35 years now.....
The staff asked if she wanted a female doctor for the well check. She has not had one in 4 years.

 

[C.Ann]

I would just come right out and ask him what he prefers..

 

[kidzmom3]

my DD 14 wanted me there this week, I offered to wait in the WR but she said no. The doctor told me in a year he would like the opportunity to see her alone for at least a few minutes because he thinks she would be more honest. I laughed only because she wants to see a female doctor after this last exam. She asked me if she could go to the wr while I told him because she didn't want to have to be there when it was said. If she couldn't even tell him she was uncomfortable with a male doctor, I don.t think she would have been more honest alone during an exam.


I would honor the female doctors request for alone time next year and let her go alone if that is her wish.

 

[javaj]

I was shocked to hear that some peds don't bother doing yearly blood work run ups on children either!

Kids are supposed to get blood work done? My kids are going in for their 8yo and 4yo checks this month, and the only time either of them has ever had blood work done was for allergy testing!