Comments on: 7 Ways to Enjoy Waiting with Kids

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:00:09 +0000

I take some exam table paper and some crayons from my purse and draw maps with roadways and houses, playgrounds, churches, restaurants, etc. Then I allow my little ones to use the few matchbox cars in my purse to navigate the town.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:32:30 +0000

So how did your appointment go??

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:14:34 +0000

Today I am taking all six kids with me to an hour-long appointment. I have been looking back over several of your older posts for inspiration and guidance. Thanks!

By: CookieMonsterKatrina

CookieMonsterKatrina — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:07:38 +0000

We do the same. The kids have a seat and they stay there, even in the exam room. It’s excellent crowd control, other people appreciate that our kids aren’t climbing all over them, and I can safely focus on filling out forms or checks, or talking to the doctor, because the kids stay put.

My kids just seem overwhelmed – especially my oldest – by unfamiliar environments. It takes a while before they’ll settle down enough to read a book with me or sing a song. I was just remembering that as I typed.

By: 'Becca

'Becca — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:19:16 +0000

Great tips! I also enjoy waiting with my child, who is 5. We commute by public transit every day, 2 buses each way and often some time standing around at the stops, but that’s some of our most fun time together!

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:20:41 +0000

Fabulous idea! I’m going to have to do that next time, the kids will love it.

By: pam

pam — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:06:17 +0000

I always take colored pencils and while we wait for the doctor they draw on the paper that is on the table (bed). the doctors think it is cute and they think it is fun

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:10:44 +0000

Taking kids to a doctor visit one on one has never been an option for us, but I can see that it would be a special opportunity to spend time with just them.

Most of our doctor’s appointments have been OB visits.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:09:10 +0000

Still down, but hope that we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:08:36 +0000

When we are in waiting rooms our children know that they may to pick a chair and sit down on their bum. We do not allow our children to wander around when we are in public for several reasons. Since everyone is sitting down it is easy to play these games.

When we go back to the exam room and there aren’t chairs for everyone, everyone gets a designated area where they are allowed to play.

By: Monique

Monique — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:20:00 +0000

What I love most is your very first line of this post. I don’t know what it is, but lately I’ve been noticing so much more of the “I CAN’T WAIT” for my kids to go to school, get to college, move out…etc. I was left nearly speechless when a lady told me yesterday that you couldn’t pay her enough to be a stay-at-home mom, and another responded how thrilled she was when her one year old was”finally” old enough to attend “preschool” so she could have alone time. It is SO WONDERFUL to read your post and other ladies comments on how you all enjoy even waiting rooms with your kiddos.

By: Amy Matthews

Amy Matthews — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:50:05 +0000

I love to take my kids to a dr. visit one on one, when I can. I spend that time holding them, smiling with them, whispering to them and laughing with them. I am often in strict mommy mode, which I am not fond of, I am often on guard. I enjoy the waiting time when I do not have anything else to do, nothing else to get to, no housework screaming my name. I have no control over the length of the wait, I just get to take in my littles and love on them.

Many people hate waiting. I am not one of them!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:23:58 +0000

We do alot of these, too! I have never played duck, duck, goose like that, though. I have to remember that! . Hope you all feel better soon. Keeping you all in our prayers. Our family is still down with whatever it is, too.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:03:51 +0000

You are SO right. I usually have a BIG bag of books with us when we go to the doctor. We’ve also played I SPY and the thinking game.

By: CookieMonsterKatrina

CookieMonsterKatrina — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:22:32 +0000

Great ideas. I do as many of them as I can reign my kids in to do. They are usually so overwhelmed by being someplace new that they can’t settle down. I hadn’t thought of story narration, but that’s a good idea.

By: Christy Klein

Christy Klein — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:48:00 +0000

All great ideas! My kids are older now, so we usually just bring books to read. Nice quiet time.

By: Christy

Christy — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:56:03 +0000

Great tips! I have used most of them – except for duck duck goose! I am sure that brings smiles to the other waitees!

By: Mama Llama

Mama Llama — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:48:58 +0000

Great tips. We play eye spy alot, or silly word games. We also tell alot of knock knock jokes!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:45:14 +0000

GREAT post- we already do so many of these things and it works like a miracle doesn’t it?! All kids need is a little attention most of the time!!!

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:27:43 +0000

What a wonderful way to view this. Thanks for your inspiration!