MY DAUGHTER IS 15...SHE HAD A DOCTOR'S APPT TODAY AND SHE INSISTED....AS SHE ALWAYS DOES...THAT I GO IN WITH HER...I DON'T MIND...WE ARE VERY CLOSE...BUT IT SEEMS OFFPUTTING TO THE NURSES AND DOCTORS.
shareIt depends on what the appointment is for I think.
shareTODAY WAS LABWORK AND A PHYSICAL...THE WEIRDEST ONE WAS SHE NEEDED AN ULTRASOUND A FEW MONTHS AGO FOR SOME STOMACH TROUBLES...BUT IT FELT VERY WEIRD SITTING WITH MY TEEN DAUGHTER WHILE SHE HAD AN ULTRASOUND...THE TECHNICIAN SEEMED TO ALSO THINK IT WAS WEIRD...WE GOT A GOOD RUNNING JOKE OUT OF IT THOUGH...EVERY SO OFTEN I ASK HER WHERE SHE LEFT HER BABY....SHE SAYS I DON'T HAVE A HAVY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT....AND I SAY YES YOU DO! I SAW ITS FACE ON THE ULTRASOUND...THEN SHE TELLS ME TO SHUT UP.
shareIf she's concerned that it could be something serious, I think any age is appropriate. If she's just going for something like an eye exam, stay out.
shareYEAH...SEE...I THINK THAT IS HOW I FEEL...BUT AT THIS POINT SHE INSISTS ON ME BEING IN THE ROOM...SO IN THE ROOM I GO.
shareAgreed 100%. She’s your kid. The nurses and doctors are the strangers. If she needs you, you’re there. Even teenagers get scared of the doctor sometimes.
shareAt this age, it's really up to her. That's old enough to know whether she want privacy or support, and if she thinks of you as a source of support you're doing something right!
shareI don't think there is a set age for being too old. It is up to the parent and child, although I would think it might be awkward if there is nudity involved.
shareNot being funny, but it's not really the medical staff's business, is it? If you and your child are comfortable with it, that's really all that matters. This would be the same if she were 35 years old. There's no 'too old' to need emotional support from a parent in a situation that makes you anxious.
That said, in your shoes I would definitely be encouraging her as strongly as possible to do these things on her own. But I wouldn't force her to -- unless it was for a procedure that made me uncomfortable rather than the medical staff. I'm sure the day will come soon enough when she says 'No, it's OK, dad. You can wait outside.'
Unless he is somehow interfering with the provision of medical care, it is absolutely not their business. I would be VERY wary of any doctor or doctor office that has a problem with it.
shareLearning is learning. There's no age restriction on learning.
shareWhen they are an adult and if the person doesn't want you in the room. That is the appropriate age. 15 is definitely not too old and I would be looking for a new doc and nurse if that bothered them.
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