Children and dentists.
By mamashane
@mamashane (1140)
United States
March 4, 2007 9:20pm CST
I took my 11 year old son to have a cavity filled at the dentists office. I went to the exam room with him when he had this done. I always go back into the exam room with my kids when they visit the doctor or dentist. On the ride home, my son said to me, "Mom, why do you always have to go back into the room with me? It's only the dentist." I just told him that I like to know what's going on. He said to me, "I'm old enough to go alone. I don't need you hovering over me. It was just a cavity." This got me thinking. I just automatically go back into the exam room with my kids, is this odd? I can see if they are very young but what about the older kids? My kids are 15, 14, 11 and 4. Do you parents out there let your kids see the doc or dentist on their own? Am I "hovering" over my child, should I give him some space? He says I'm overprotective...what do you think?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@missyd79 (3438)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Actually i think a parent or gaurdian needs to be present when a doctor or dentist is examining a child under the age of 18. because when i was at the emgency room there was a 17 year boy there with a friend of his mother's and the triage nurse made that lady go in with them while she did his blood pressure, temp and all that stuff since he was under the age of 18. I mean if it is something more personal and my son is older, like say 16 and he is having problems in the groin area, i would ask his father to go or at least let the doctor exam him alone and talk to me after, because that could be a little embarassing for them. but no at the age of 11 that is not hoovering for a cavity. kids just want to grow up too fast.
1 person likes this
@missyd79 (3438)
• United States
12 Mar 07
yes they do want to grow up too fast, my son doesn't want me to walk him into daycare anymore and he is only 5! I am like i have to it's the rules. i love the fact that he is independent like that because i wasn't like that when i was his age, but i hate it as a mother. and yes it does seem like it always falls back on th mothers, but we have to do what we have to do no matter what, eventually they come around when they are like 35! hehehe
1 person likes this
@mamashane (1140)
• United States
10 Mar 07
They do want to grow up too fast don't they? I don't want to permanetley damage my son because I'm overprotective and hovering over him all the time. Everything is the mother's fault isn't it? Seriously though, I thought I would seek advice since he mentioned it to me, I'd never even thought about it before that.
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
•
13 Mar 07
I did the same as you , but when my sons started to mention it by themselves then I took a step back , its not easy to judge when as all kids mature at different ages , he sound like a very mature and sensible young man , trust him , xx
@mamashane (1140)
• United States
14 Mar 07
He's getting to the age where he wants to be a bit more independant and I'm willing to step back and let him have a little more freedom. Thanks for your input.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
5 Mar 07
Well you could be a bit overprotective when it comes to the 14 and 15 year old. My son is 18 now but I know at that age he wouldn't have wanted me in there. I don't usually stay in there the whole time but I might walk back to see how things are coming from time to time. We have had the same dentist for over 12 years so I really have no worries or questions about their abilities. I know my kids are safe. I guess you just have to give him a bit of breathing room and let him grow a bit on his own. I do know as a mother that is difficult to do.
1 person likes this
@mamashane (1140)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I think at this age he does need a little breathing room. My girls who are 14 and 15 haven't said anything to me about it and I still go back into the exam room with them. I've never thought about it really until my son mentioned it to me.
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
5 Mar 07
maybe a little (but these days you have to be)- but i think it's more of a habit- somehting you have been doing for so long you don't even think about it. Hey I'm 42 and if I ask my mom to drive me to the dr, cause I can't drive myself, she comes in the dr's office with me too, guess you are never to old to your mom .. lol.
1 person likes this
@mamashane (1140)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I think it's a habit too...I'm a mom and it's my job! I know what you mean by your mom going into the doctor's exam room with you. My aunt goes with me and I have no problem with it at all.
