Does a 12yo “need” a pediatrician?

[Anonymous]

There are doctors who specialize in teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always annoyed when the schools want these immunizations records and now I know why. People like the OP.

It’s a tdap booster, relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long story short, DD12 hasn’t been to see her actual doctor since her birthday 2019. COVID happened and we didn’t need to go for any reason within the last 3 years, but now the school has sent paperwork that she will need a couple immunizations before middle school next year.

She’s 11 but will be 12 soon. She’s had her period for nearly a year, if that matters at all. She has ZERO desire to see her current/old male pediatrician. But does she “need” a pediatrician? Can I find a female general practitioner? Or will they make me have her see a pediatrician?

Also, is it possible for somewhere like Walgreens to pull her records and see which of these shots she needs? The website says they offer them.

Just a FYI. Much like taking your kid to the doctor too often can raise a red flag, not taking your children to the doctor for regular visits can raise red flags. You are, I assume college-educated and financially stable. If yes, you would be a minority among your peers (statistically) for your child to be not up-to-date on immunizations and not have had an annual in the past 3-4 years during a pretty volatile age in regards to body issues, puberty, normal development, etc. Disregard the anti-vaccine subset obviously.

I would listen to her about seeing that particular doctor since she has expressed what seems like dislike or vitriol for him (aka maybe her spidey sense is off) but that doesnt mean you forego annual visits with another physician. There are great pediatricians who will treat child developmentally appropriately. I know many of my friends who mourned having to leave the pediatrician and tried to continue going during college since they had developed a great rapport.

[Anonymous]

They need a doctor, but not a pediatrician. My DS has seen a family practitioner since he was 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

+1 it is so easy to find a female Ped - they are the majority!

You will not find anyone saying it's okay to not have a Dr for your kid.

[Anonymous]

A family dr or even a nurse practitioned would work for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have health insurance? Why would you not have a doctor for your child? Yes, your child needs a doctor and yes it will be a pediatrician as that who sees patients that age. You can easily find a female pediatrician.

You did have reasons to go the last 3 years...the annual well visits where they would have given her immunizations on schedule. They do other things like eye and ear exams. And they help build a relationship so the doctor is there when you need them and the child trusts them and doesn't feel the way your daughter now feels about her old pediatrician...that she doesn't want to go.

We DO have one for her, as I mentioned in my post. We just haven’t been for a well-checkup since 2019. In 2020 they were only doing them for young babies, and we just didn’t go in 21-22. She hasn’t been sick. There was no need to go.

Now we need to go and she’d like a female doctor.

Well visits ARE a reason to go. You realize doctors check for things you couldn't possibly at home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm really surprised the doctor's office hasn't hounded you for 3 years that your child hasn't had an annual physical. Ours calls and 'reminds' us if we are month late.

Yes, she needs an annual exam. Everyone does. You've been pretty lucky that she's been healthy and you haven't had to see a doctor.

This is way outside of the norm. Most places don't do this. We've gone years between well visits at points-kids are late teens now.

Op find a family practice.

[Anonymous]

Yes your 12 year old needs a primary care doctor that she sees at least once a year. Most new pediatricians are female these days so I'm pretty sure you can find a female pediatrician without too much effort.

[Anonymous]

Extremely irresponsible parenting to not have her seen for 3 years. Also, you are teaching your child to neglect her health. Are you some kind of a hippy? Geez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really surprised the doctor's office hasn't hounded you for 3 years that your child hasn't had an annual physical. Ours calls and 'reminds' us if we are month late.

Yes, she needs an annual exam. Everyone does. You've been pretty lucky that she's been healthy and you haven't had to see a doctor.

This is way outside of the norm. Most places don't do this. We've gone years between well visits at points-kids are late teens now.

Op find a family practice.

Same with our teens. I feel like people are just piling on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long story short, DD12 hasn’t been to see her actual doctor since her birthday 2019. COVID happened and we didn’t need to go for any reason within the last 3 years, but now the school has sent paperwork that she will need a couple immunizations before middle school next year.

She’s 11 but will be 12 soon. She’s had her period for nearly a year, if that matters at all. She has ZERO desire to see her current/old male pediatrician. But does she “need” a pediatrician? Can I find a female general practitioner? Or will they make me have her see a pediatrician?

Also, is it possible for somewhere like Walgreens to pull her records and see which of these shots she needs? The website says they offer them.

I had the same dilemma with our DD at that age and she was right. We started seeing Kelly Goodman at her Sangamore Practice in Bethesda. She is a nurse practitioner who eventually turned her one woman show into an office with several specialty areas and is very good with teenagers and young adults. They will direct you to any specialist outside of their practice as needed but have been very reliable and good for school examinations, physicals, vaccines, sickness appointments, you name it. I can't recommend her practice highly enough. My DD has been seeing her for four plus years and loves going there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really surprised the doctor's office hasn't hounded you for 3 years that your child hasn't had an annual physical. Ours calls and 'reminds' us if we are month late.

Yes, she needs an annual exam. Everyone does. You've been pretty lucky that she's been healthy and you haven't had to see a doctor.

This is way outside of the norm. Most places don't do this. We've gone years between well visits at points-kids are late teens now.

Op find a family practice.

Same with our teens. I feel like people are just piling on.

You probably didn't not go from age 9 to 12 as this poster is describing. This is an almost 12 year old female who didn't go to the doctor in 3 years during height of puberty years and didn't get several vaccines required at that age.

[Anonymous]

Pediatricians see kids until they are 23. If she doesn’t like her old male one why not just find a female? That’s what I did when my daughter hit puberty. Kids need someone they are comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

OP, to me, the worst part about your current decisions are actually that she has had her period and has not seen a doctor at all since. That is the onset of puberty and it's a time to provide kids information and provide a space for them to ask questions privately. It is totally understandable that your daughter would want a provider she feels comfortable with. The answer to that is to establish care with that person, not decide you can just get everything done at Walgreen's.