Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Do you have any questions?

Harry had his 1 year well baby check up today. He is average for weight (22 pounds) and below average for height (I forgot what it was and I am too lazy to even get up and look) but he is keeping up with his growth curves.

After being quizzed about various things, it turns out that Harry is drinking the proper amount of formula (which will soon be changed to whole milk once this can of formula is gone). I am doing good by not giving him juice and I should try and make sure that the meat Harry eats is white meat instead of red. I am not too sure how I feel about the last one but let it pass.

My least favorite part of a doctor's appointment is at the end after all the quizzing. The dreaded "So, do you have any questions?". I feel like I should have something to ask. Often times I don't, especially at run of the mill pediatrician's appointments. Generally if I want to know something I will look it up online or ask someone in my family. I really do not involve my pediatrician in things like how to discipline my child or what I should be teaching them and when. I think of those things as none of your business areas, although I know people who involve their pediatricians in things like that. I figure I have a brain and I know how to use it. That is why so often when the question comes up I have nothing to ask about.

Maybe I should just ask the questions that I really would like to know. Do you have a blog? Are you going to write about us if you do indeed have a blog? Can I read your blog? Would you like to read my blog? Do you think I am a nut case mom, or do you actually like us as patients? I have to admit that the last question is not one that weighs too heavily on my mind since the instant Evan saw the pediatrician enter the room he ran up to him and hugged him. I doubt that anyone could resist that.

14 comments:

Brittney said...

Finally, someone else who wants to ask personal questions instead of medically related ones! Sometimes I feel my doctor knows more about my life then I know of his. Probably for the best, but if given the chance I'd ask him three questions. Do you have pets? What kind of car do you drive? and Are you a morning person, or a night owl?

Although, I do admit I love your "do you have a blog" question. :-)

Brittney

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I am the SAME way. I always feel like I need to ask a question. Sometimes I think before the doctor's appointment and actually plan a question, but then soon realized if I have one, I'd know it.
I am like you, in that I my ask a friend or search for answers online, if I am indeed questioning something. I have a friend that calls her doctor over EVERYTHING! Potty training, runny nose, hitting, biting, not sleeping through the night.... that's got to be annoying for a doctor....
That last paragraph made me laugh out loud. So glad Harry is doing good, too! www.chelnic.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

You questions rock!

I hate that end question too. We have a nice enough doctor, however when I do ask him questions he makes me feel like I am an over achiever mom that expects too much!

Unknown said...

LOL--I can sooo relate!

Bode had his 4-month checkup yesterday. Everything turned out just great...except for the shots: WORST PAIN EVER!!

Nancy Evans said...

Are you obsessed with blogs?

Unknown said...

I find myself wondering who else has blogs in my "real" life too!!!

The only time I involved our pediatrician in behavior issues, I was glad I did because he saved my life! He told me how to handle Leah's hitting and it worked like a charm.

Awesome Mom said...

Yes, I am obsessed with blogs! lol

Anonymous said...

You're lucky. My ped is not a fan of new moms or their questions. He asks me if I have any, and then proceeds to dismiss whatever it is as silly. Too bad he never asked me if I have a blog...heh heh heh.

you da mom! said...

that's a great idea. next time i get asked, "do you have any questions," i'm just gonna bust out with something really personal, like, "do you play doctor with your spouse?" err...maybe not.

Anonymous said...

Any questions? Nope. I'm good. Let's go. And I round up my kids and pat myself on the back for not ditching the checkup.

Jaelithe said...

Oh man I SO want to ask my doctor if she has a blog now.

Clark Bartram said...

A good pediatrician should be able to answer any questions on non-medical subjects like behavior issues and never be dismissive or condescending. There are often multiple ways to do things when it comes to raising kids. You may have it down pat but many parents need advice. Some don't have good family support. Some don't have internet access or internet savvy to weed out the bunk. Some just trust an authority figure over a friend, family member or stranger although this group is much smaller than in the past.

I don't tend to discuss my personal life with the new parents I meet in my work because I can't imagine that they care. They will only know me for 2-3 days tops typically and they have a newborn baby and often multiple family members around. I often feel like an annoyance to them to be honest but I try to provide helpful information and explanations of what is going on. When the babies are sick the parents tend to be a little more interested in what I have to say naturally.

I would love to talk about my blog if a parent asked.

Sarabeth said...

My pediatrician has been wonderful at answering my questions. I have three kids, so I find that when he asks the "Do you have any questions?" question, I may ask about one of the two he isn't treating that day.

It is different for me--my husband is a colleague of the pediatricians I see. They know our family, and I know a bit about them as well.

I like that last question. It gives me time to air my concerns or my lack of concerns. Many times I have said, "No. I'm just following the rules with this visit." That in itself speaks volumes.

purple_kangaroo said...

I'd like to ask my child's doctor those questions, too. :)