What do you do?

[Mickeyluver37]

I have done a mixture of all discussed here. Right now my kids are in school, but I do work, so I make most of my OB appts. for after I pick them up, and they've been going with me. My OB practice is very nice about this- whatever Dr. I see always addresses the kids, asks them if they have any questions, etc. They don't care about kids being there for pelvic exams or even for the birth, either. Now, in the beginning of the pregnancy, dh did take off work to go with me and we had friends watch the kids, until we were ready to announce to everyone.

But if I have to take one sick kid to the Dr., usually both are going with me, unless it is during school hours.

We were a military family for 8 years, and I agree that the facilities are pretty unaccomodating when it comes to that stuff. Yeah, I agree that you can always find *someone* to watch your kids, and I know plenty of people who did just that with no discretion at all. There was a single mom in DH's unit who had the worst behaved kid, and was always begging someone to ask their wife to watch him for some reason or another, whether it was for a day, or a few weeks for a field exercise. Nevermind that she had never met the person who would actually be watching her child, nor had they met the child. Although maybe she had to do it that way- he was so bad, no one ever watched him twice!

If you have a great support group, then you wouldn't understand why people can't just leave their kids with someone for these kinds of things. I have a great support group now, and leave down the street from my mom. It wasn't always so, and I didn't have anyone I felt comfortable leaving my kids with, especially if our parenting styles varied greatly!

 

[sunlver]

Unfortunately We all dont have a babysitting network to leave our kids at. In my instance,we have no family here. I have friends here, but every one but one friend works fulltime. I try to schedule my appts later in the afternoon so my husband, or my 13 yr old son can watch my 3 yr old. BUT...it doesnt always work that way.I prefer NOT to take my 3 yr old with me, but sometimes I just have too... Though some appts I would not take her too, I would not take her too my mammogram, getting a pap smear, or when I have xrays done. When I thought I had a sinus infection, I DID bring her with me to the primary care dr, they have a bunch of toys/books/stuffed animals in the waiting room, so she never really made a peep or run around. She stayed in the toy area while we waited. The sinus infection appt took probably a total of 10 minutes of seeing the dr, and then we were out of there. My husband would of spend more time traveling to and from work to take care of my 3 yr old, then the actual time we were there.
It is not a perfect world, and all mothers CAN NOT ALWAYS find people to watch our kids.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We have it easy now, DH works only 2 days a week (24-hour shifts), so I make appts for any day he's off.

When he worked a normal 5-day a week job, I either took my mom or my friend with me and they kept him in the waiting room (orthodontist appts mainly). When I was pg with ds#2, I either took someone, but usually just took him to a babysitter. MIL has a friend who does in-home daycare, and she was able to take him for me.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Depends...

nexy week I have my annual and I'm my mom is gonna help me out.

My almost 4 year old is hip to the game now, so I don't want to scare her or anything.

For the most part, they come with me though.

 

[HelenePA]

My parents watch them, I drop them off at a friend, or I hire a sitter, and if I have no choice, I take them with me. I enjoy reading a book in the waiting room without my 5 little darlings, thank you very much. I honestly don't understand why parents insist on being the only ones who watch their children - it's healthy to have some time apart. My kids love having sitters, or going to someone elses house, and I enjoy some adult time (and, unfortunately, most of my adult time is at appointments, not at a spa, but I'll take it). Plus, there are many germs at doctors' offices - I don't even like taking them to the pediatrician.

Some people dont have extra money to pay babysitters or daycare, some have no family in the area, most of my friends work full time.. I like going to the dr alone I'm sure we all do but that isn't an option for everyone all of the time..dh can and does get off of work.. but there are times when I have had to take them..

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Some people dont have extra money to pay babysitters or daycare, some have no family in the area, most of my friends work full time.. I like going to the dr alone I'm sure we all do but that isn't an option for everyone all of the time..dh can and does get off of work.. but there are times when I have had to take them..

I agree. I posted my reply before I read all responses. I do not think my kids are perfect or well behaved all the time...but my closest babysitting option is an hour away (my parents) and they own their own business so its not like they are sitting around waiting for my phone call. I would never burden them for a simple PCP appointment over a cold to come down and babysit.

I have some precious memories of my then 2 year old "helping" to squeeze the jelly on my belly and use the doppler to find her brother's heartbeat at most of my prenatal appoitments. Especially at an OB's office, it you don't like children in the waiting room, you might be in the wrong place

 

[MichelleVW]

We were a military family for 8 years, and I agree that the facilities are pretty unaccomodating when it comes to that stuff. Yeah, I agree that you can always find *someone* to watch your kids, and I know plenty of people who did just that with no discretion at all. There was a single mom in DH's unit who had the worst behaved kid, and was always begging someone to ask their wife to watch him for some reason or another, whether it was for a day, or a few weeks for a field exercise. Nevermind that she had never met the person who would actually be watching her child, nor had they met the child. Although maybe she had to do it that way- he was so bad, no one ever watched him twice!

I would leave my kids with people I had never met, as long as I trusted the person that recommended that person I didn't have a problem. There's nothing wrong with leaving kids with a stranger as long as SOMEONE you know trusts that person...

 

[disykat]

My parents watch them, I drop them off at a friend, or I hire a sitter, and if I have no choice, I take them with me. I enjoy reading a book in the waiting room without my 5 little darlings, thank you very much. I honestly don't understand why parents insist on being the only ones who watch their children - it's healthy to have some time apart. My kids love having sitters, or going to someone elses house, and I enjoy some adult time (and, unfortunately, most of my adult time is at appointments, not at a spa, but I'll take it). Plus, there are many germs at doctors' offices - I don't even like taking them to the pediatrician.

We're all talking about the same thing here. I haven't seen anyone here who is saying "Of course I take them, I wouldn't want to be separated from them for a minute. It' such a fun time, I pick up all the neighbor's kids and bring them too!"

 

[mjkacmom]

We're all talking about the same thing here. I haven't seen anyone here who is saying "Of course I take them, I wouldn't want to be separated from them for a minute. It' such a fun time, I pick up all the neighbor's kids and bring them too!"

I do realize that sometimes you have to take them. However, there are people who will not leave their children in the care of someone other than family. If you can't get someone to watch your child, and you need to go to the doctor, bring your child. But at least make the effort.

 

[HelenePA]

I have some precious memories of my then 2 year old "helping" to squeeze the jelly on my belly and use the doppler to find her brother's heartbeat at most of my prenatal appoitments. Especially at an OB's office, it you don't like children in the waiting room, you might be in the wrong place

Now that is sweet.