Ensuring Good Waiting Room Etiquette

The Struggle of Waiting Rooms

Doctor’s appointments with family members in tow are often a dreaded obligation. As a result, doctors’ office waiting rooms are consistently filled with patients and loved ones who are anxious, nervous, and bored. This especially includes children. Most waiting rooms are strategically equipped with toys and treats to appease children of all ages. However, a trip to the doctor can be stressful. Consequently, children might misbehave.

Inappropriate Waiting Room Behaviors

• Blocking or playing in front of the door
• Climbing on furniture
• Lacking acceptable manners such as please and thank you
• Using an inappropriate voice level
• Being disrespectful of and/or not putting away toys
• Being disrespectful of others’ space

Addressing Behaviors

In order for parents to avoid a situation in which it is their child who is ruining the collective calm, experts recommend that these behaviors are first addressed in the comforts of the home. James Lehman, MSW proposes that “good behavior is not magic,” and that the “three most important skills for children to learn as a foundation for good behavior are: how to read social situations, how to manage emotions, and how to solve problems appropriately.”

Teaching children the basics of good  behavior can help them learn to be in control of their impulses. It also helps them  as to understand how to behave when in public places and around other people.  Appropriate learned behaviors will also be particularly useful for a child when playing with friends, attending school, and interacting at future jobs. However, learned behaviors take time and require practice to change.

Ideas to Prevent Behavioral Issues in Waiting Rooms

• Using active supervision and leading by example.  Kids will be kids but when left on their own, good behavior often turns bad. As a parent you are responsible for your child and what he or she is doing.
• Understanding that the wait could be longer than anticipated and that bringing snacks and familiar toys, activities, and comforts is helpful for attention diversion.
• Being aware that the environment is small and planning on bringing toys and activities that will not be disruptive.
• Ensuring that a child is not left alone in the waiting room for longer than necessary by dropping them off and picking them up within a tight window of time

The waiting room at MOSAIC can be a great opportunity to practice these skills outside of the home and get feedback if you are having trouble working through any of these behaviors. We are child and family friendly with trained therapists able to offer advice or answer questions.

Lehman, J. (2013). Good behavior is not magic – it’s a skill. Empowering Parents. Retrieved from http://www.empoweringparents.com/Good-Behavior-is-not-Magic-Its-a-Skill-The-Three-Skills-Every-Child-Needs-for-Good-Behavior.php