Leaving Kids in a Waiting room

[Anonymous]

What age would you leave your kids in a waiting room while you had an appointment? Mine are 6 and 10. I'd probably still be within ear range of the kids, and it's just a consultation that might last 20-30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Id bring them with me and give them iPads for distraction.

[Anonymous]

Those ages. Take a device so they can pass the time.

[Anonymous]

My kids would be fine at those ages.

[Anonymous]

Assuming there is a receptionist there just to make sure theyre not taken by a pedophile I would leave them at those ages. I would give screens or a definite activity for them to do though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Id bring them with me and give them iPads for distraction.

You'd bring them with you to the consultation or the waiting room?

[Anonymous]

I'd leave them at that age for sure. I recently left a 4 and 8 year old (both closer to 5 and 9) in a waiting area. I was close by and the older one knew where I was to come find me if there were any issues. The kids had devices. It was fine.

If there is going to be an adult working in the area (at the reception desk or whatever), I would let the person know what you are doing and be sure they are ok with it. I did that first.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm....I'm pretty low key but I don't think I'd do it before 8 or so, only because I'd feel like the receptionist might feel like he or she's being asked to baby-sit, which isn't fair to him or her. I'd just bring them into the consultation, maybe with headphones if I didn't want them to hear what the doctor was saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming there is a receptionist there just to make sure theyre not taken by a pedophile I would leave them at those ages. I would give screens or a definite activity for them to do though.

Not the receptionist's job. Bring them into the room with you or leave them with a sitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Assuming there is a receptionist there just to make sure theyre not taken by a pedophile I would leave them at those ages. I would give screens or a definite activity for them to do though.

Not the receptionist's job. Bring them into the room with you or leave them with a sitter.

A 6 and a 10 year old are not going to bother the receptionist. And you tell them, don't bother the receptionist. If you need something and it's an emergency, here's where to come find me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Id bring them with me and give them iPads for distraction.

You'd bring them with you to the consultation or the waiting room?

I've left my 6 year old kid in the waiting room for 20 minutes with headphones on a device with videos on it. Bringing them into consultation could also be ok if they won't be interrupting and asking questions (as my curious child tends to do.)

[Anonymous]

What kind of waiting room?

Consultation is a very vague term.

If it was medical or therapy, I'd leave a 6 and 10 year old if if they had a way to get me quickly (e.g. the office where I'd be was very close to the door so they could call for me) or a receptionist who could reach me, and if I was confident they'd behave in my absence.

In a professional situation, I might feel differently.

For something like an insurance consult, it would really depend on the environment.

[Anonymous]

10 yes. 6 no. And not 10 watching the 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Assuming there is a receptionist there just to make sure theyre not taken by a pedophile I would leave them at those ages. I would give screens or a definite activity for them to do though.

Not the receptionist's job. Bring them into the room with you or leave them with a sitter.

A 6 and a 10 year old are not going to bother the receptionist. And you tell them, don't bother the receptionist. If you need something and it's an emergency, here's where to come find me.

Ha it really depends on the children. Mine would be fine, my best friends there is no way (and she knows it too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming there is a receptionist there just to make sure theyre not taken by a pedophile I would leave them at those ages. I would give screens or a definite activity for them to do though.

That is not the receptionist's job. She does not want to assume liability for your children.