I loaded the kids in the double stroller, took the elevator up to pediatric ENT, walked up to the receptionist to check in, and that is when disaster struck! I mean STRUCK! Nur threw an absolute tantrum when I stopped the stroller to check in. Now, he has been throwing tantrums quite a bit, and T and I really address his tantrums with him. We get at eye level and tell him no, and then we tell him he will get a time out if he is still acting like this by the time we count to 3. Then we count to 3, and by 2, he settles down. I want to add that we only do this if his tantrum seems to be for no reason. . . which these days, seems to be the case.
So, there I am, in the waiting room full of people, with Nur screaming and everyone staring at me. It's so odd to me that other parents seem to be so judgmental. Why is that? Are you so lucky that your children don't have tantrums? If you are so lucky. . . I am jealous! I tried to comfort him and finally after the longest minute of my life, he calmed down. Maybe this isn't an appropriate feeling, but I felt angry. He needs to stop this behavior. It's gross! It makes my blood pressure rise, and it's just SO unnecessary. Does anyone else's blood boil in the middle of your child's tantrums? Oh my! I thought this particular tantrum would send me into tachy!
The kids played well in the waiting room and then we were called back to our room. Our appointment was at 2:45, and by 3:30, we were still waiting. . . and waiting. . . and waiting. At this point, I'm over it all. I'm stressed, and I keep visualizing that sign at the receptionist's desk that says if anyone is more than 15 minutes late for their appointment, that thye have the right to cancel. Yet the doctors at this huge medical facility can't seem to show up on time. Ever.
I had had enough. I loaded the kids into the stroller, and high-tailed it out of the ENT office. My time is too precious for this. I'm a working professional who took time off work so I could have my child to the doctor on time.
I called the office when I got home and told them why I left, and told them that I better not get billed for this appointment, and the scheduler I spoke to said I WOULD be billed because I took up a doctor's time slot. Oh heck no!!! I asked to be transfered to the office manager, and I left a detailed message about how my time is JUST as important as the doctor's, and I expect the same level of respect. I also explained that they work in Pediatrics, and it's just WRONG to expect us to wait with a child (let alone two children) in one of those small exam rooms for 45 minutes. And who knows how long I would have been waiting before I decided to just leave.
So, it was one of those days. I felt on the verge of a complete meltdown. I felt overwhelmed and defeated. Boo. I hate days like that. On the positive side, I met a fellow blogger who reads my blog, Fawnda. It is always so nice to meet someone from the blogging community, and I apologize for the total disaster that my son was yesterday. Seriously. . . He's usually so sweet. :)
And because this post is completely negative and whining (sorry, had to vent) I thought I would post a few cute pics. That makes up for it, right? Almost?
12 comments:
It was so fun to meet you yesterday too! I thought your kids were adorable! :)
It is so frustrating have to wait for doctors especially with kids! Way to stand up for yourself!
GOOD FOR YOU!!
That is completely disrespectful. Even if the doctor was stuck in some kind of emergency, the delay should have been communicated to you.
Sorry for the crappy day. :(
I CAN'T STAND WAITING IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE!
I waited with an overtired 4 month old for 2.5 hours once. I was bouncing him around the waiting room trying to get him to sleep. 5 minutes after he fell asleep they called me back. I was friggin PISSED. Ever since then I have INSISTED on taking the 2:00 appointment, which is right after lunch. A few months ago I settled for the 2:30 appointment, because really, how far behind can they be half an hour after lunch?
An hour and a half. That's how far.
Ridiculous.
First of all, it is CRAZY that they had you wait that long. Not acceptable at all!
I just wanted to tell you that I am actually really glad you posted this today. I had a really rough day with my two, and you need to know that you are NOT ALONE in how you feel about your kids' tantrums! Seriously, I can't believe how frustrated and angry I can feel when they act like that for no reason. Yes, I know they are little. Sometimes that makes it even harder because I can't reason with them that they don't need to act like that!
Truth be told, I used to be one of those people who did not have much sympathy for the mom of the screaming child in the grocery store. I would never show it, but inside I would just think, DO SOMETHING! Make your kid stop screaming! Now I know...if only it were that easy! Just because your kid is screaming, does not mean your parenting is to blame. That is just what kids do, often for no apparent reason, or just because they didn't get their way. We deal with tantrums exactly the same way with Matthew (he is 2 1/2) and it is pretty effective now that he knows we will follow through every single time. It's still exhausting though!
Hang in there, you are doing awesome and yes you are very brave to take both of them to the doctor with you. I usually leave one home and take my husband for backup! HA!
Hope the rest of your day was better!
Good for you!! I would have let and given them a piece of my mind too. I there is no way in hell I'd pay for that visit. And yes, sometimes in tantrums I want to slap someone. that is when Mommy needs a time out.
It's so hard.
Yes, been there done that!! wow, just the other day I was pissed at the doctor's office for making me wait in the waiting room while my poor soon was breaking out in a rash....which btw...is a very serious allergic reaction that I feel could have been nipped in the bud. So, yeah...I feel ya. My older son who is 15 now used to always embarass me in public by throwing tantrums or screaming so I used to pinch him. And then he would scream even louder "OW STOP HITTING ME MOMMY PLEASE DONT HIT ME AGAIN MOMMY" LOL.......you will get to a day when you look back and laugh.
Seriously, when are you moving to Virginia? :)
I would have been furious if they made me wait that long at a peds appointment. The longest we've every had to wait is ten minutes. And I would have been really mad about having to pay! Proud of you for sticking up for yourself!
The tantrums are soooo hard, and yes I do get angry and tense, but I try hard to hide it. I grit my teeth (I've done that since they were really little and wouldn't stop crying). There were a few times this summer when I just left after my husband got home because I needed time to myself.
Your children are BEAUTIFUL!!!
You should send that Dr. a bill for your time!
As for Khalil's tantrum, even the sweetest children have moments where they get ticked off. They're human and other people need not judge! Besides, I give him a pass, as he was probably tired and being confined in a stroller when your a mover and shaker is the pits :)
Your leaving that office reminds me of when I left a Dr's office after waiting a loooong time. I politely told the receptionist I was leaving, she told me he was a busy man...I told her that I was a busy woman! Needless to say, I found a new dermatologist. Good for you to speak your mind, as the nurse should have kept you informed as to why the wait was so long...common courtesy, right.
You started blogging again - oh my, I just scrolled down and there's so much to catch up on!! I thought you quit - happy you're back.
Why did Khalil have surgery?? Bless his heart, hope he is OK.
Onto some reading :-)
God bless,
Mel
I think that was done well- calling them! I'm very curious to hear how that turns out. And I hear you on tantrums... we are getting there... there is a lot of "no!" lately... that gets my blood boiling too... lots of prayer for patience lately... and it looks like I'm getting a lot of opportunities to practice it! :)
You are so not alone with this. I can remember when my now 13 year old would completely lose it in a mall...almost every mall we went to. He would see those rides that allow you to put money in them for 15 seconds of fun...and lose it! People would stare, give me the nastiest looks and walk around me as I would try to pick him up off the floor and drag him to the car. Not fun at all. I know it'll happen with Bryce too. He's already learned that if he doesn't want to be picked up, he can throw his body back and get out of any grip. lol. His tantrum days are right around the corner! Good luck - you totally made the right decision with the doctor's office. CRAZY. I wouldn't wait either!
Leah, I wished you lived closer so we could go out for some wine. I desperately need some wine and the company of a good girlfriend!!
I would have left that doc's office too. It is so infuriating!!!
I hate it when Ezra throws fits in public and yes it makes my blood boil. I was glad to read some of the other comments and know that we are not alone! I remember before I had kids being irritated when some kid was screaming in public. I wish I had never felt way because now I sympathize completely. (But also secretly feel happy when it is another kid and not mine. Isn't that terrible!!!) I like your counting approach. I might steal it. I sometimes feel like time outs aren't very effective for Ezra right now. It is like he thinks it is game or something. I am hoping it gets better when he is a little older and can understand consequences better. Or can be easily bribed. :) Hope your day is better today!!! XOXOXOXO
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