Should I Call and Complain?

I say not at all. I understand that she probably didn't want to deal with your kids, but if you were dealing with them, then she should have kept her mouth shut!

As long as they weren't bothering anyone or causing problems, who cares if you brought them with you? I would call and complain. It was extremely unprofessional!

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Yep complain. Unless they clearly state to you or on the walls "no children allowed" then they should just accept it. I would be complaining.

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If this were going to be your regular clinic and regular nurses and doctors, yeah, I'd complain. Considering this is a one time deal, I'd forget about it. There's more important things to worry about. I'm certain with your new job and other changes, you really don't need to stir the pot with a squirrely nurse to make a point that will fall on deaf ears.

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I used to think nothing of someone taking their kids with them to the Dr., and never hesitated to take my own child/ren with me, until one day I got in a conversation about it with my mother, who is a PA, and my cousin's husband, who is a dentist, according to both of them it is difficult to focus on the person being examined when there is a child in the room. They both said that young babies were never a problem, but the older they got the more distracting (even small, quiet movements) they were, even if they were well behaved. This distraction made them feel as if they couldn't perform their job to the best of their abilities -both commented they didn't know HOW pediatricians did it all the time, lol.

Even knowing it is difficult for the examiner when children are present, I still think that woman had no right to speak to you so rudely! It definitely crossed the lines of professionalism, in my opinion.

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Really, if you call & complain, what do you think is going to happen? You might feel better but don't expect much.
Sometimes people are idiots.

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So much in this world is set up to separate children from their parents. This is nothing new but it is still upsetting and shouldn't be. You are totally in the right here and they are totally in the wrong, and they won't change if you complain. Still if it were me, I'd at least write a letter expressing my feelings respectfully - they have their job to do, maybe they've had bad experiences in the past etc. - but I'd suggest they support patients' families instead of make their lives harder. I think I would've refused to let the nurse take them out of the room but when I was a young mom, I often felt intimidated by others as you must've felt in this situation that completely caught you off guard. You have every right to be mad!!

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Yes. That is rediculous!

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I think you have every right to bring your kids, did they tell you at the job interview that you couldn't bring your kids? Good thing this doctor isn't your PC. I would have said something right then to the doctor after making such a remark, I would call and COMPLAIN, and have your husband call and complain...

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I'd complain. No one will ever tell me to leave my children in a HALLWAY and UNSUPERVISED. That is completely uncalled for.

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I am so sorry this happened to you! How awful! Yes, you should call and complain. The doctor was completely out of line! 2 year old children are too young to be left alone in a hall, who knows who may be lurking around! I work in a medical setting and have had children open my drawers and dump out the contents on the floor. It was appropriate for me to stop them, but even then it was not appropriate for me to make them leave the room! Your girls were not even doing anything!

Also, it was rude and unprofessional for the doctor to tell you that you should have left your kids at home. Would it have been OK for you to tell her that she is too old and rude to practice medicine and should retire? No, none of either of your business! But you were the polite one....

Having said that, for us we have found that those little banana strollers work a lot better than the bulkier strollers. Don't know if they come double, though. Sorry, have no experience with twins, but I do like to pack as light as possible, it is easier in the long run.

Anyway, complaining may or not accomplish anything, but I hope you have learned at least this: Please trust you mothering instincts! Don't let anyone talk you into what you think is a bad idea for your children, even a doctor. There may be exceptions to this rule, but there better be a lot more evidence than just a white coat to change your mind! Doctors are not gods, and no one will love you girls as much as you and your DH. Just a little piece of advice, hope this helps....

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No, it is not overeating! What a miserable old lady for her to treat you like that! I am sorry about your bad experiene and feel free to complain.

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I know you were in a pinch with your kids, but you should have tried to find a neighbor or someone to go with you to entertain them in the waiting room, especially since the appointment was job related. I have had to do drug testing and physicals for employment, in fact I'm having one next week for a new job. I know for a fact that if they give you a urine test, NO ONE is allowed in the bathroom with you. You're not allowed to turn the water on, they check your pockets, etc. They said they catch people all the time trying to sneak in someone elses urine.
Anyway, done is done. I would have just told her that you had absolutely no one to watch them and you had no choice but to bring them or miss your appointment. I mean, sometimes, those things do happen and it can't be helped.

I would just let it go. It was a clinic for an employment physical, you likely won't ever have to go back there again. The doctor said the exam room wasn't big enough for your kids, your kids threw a fit, she said you shouldn't have brought them. It offended you, but what's the point in complaining? She didn't personally attack you or anything.
Your tests are done, your husband is coming home, your kids were not traumatized for life. Let it go.

Good luck on the new job!

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Yes, call and complain! That was unacceptable! Doctors sometimes forget that they are working for you, not the other way around. That woman should have worked around your children! How dare she treat you that way for having children!!! That makes me so mad!

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I am sorry, but children do not need to be at an adult appt.. Not only all of the germs they could be exposed to. It is hard enough to take a child to their own appt and worry about germs, but a place where blood is being drawn, people in all sorts of health conditions are there.. you never know who or what they may see in an office with adult patients.

Also who did you think would watch your children if you were on the table or in a situation where the kids started needing your attention?

I just never saw a reason to make my daughter go places and not be able to move around or have my complete attention in these types of situations. ..

I also agree that if this was for a job related, I certainly would not have taken my children, it just does not seem professional.
Sorry this happened and you felt slighted.

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They are your kids and you have every right to bring them with you wherever you want to!! I have never had anyone outside of family watch my kids (until they started a day care in March) and still don't have anyone for times like that. So if my family is unavailable, the kids come with. And they would not be sitting out in the hall. What kind of exam were they doing that there was no room? I can't imagine. The ONLY time I have ever been told people needed to leave was in the ER. And that is because the policy here is only two people can be in there at a time. Which is fine. But an exam for a regular thing? PLEASE!! Definitely call and make a complaint!! And whoever tells you to find a sitter has no idea how hard it is moving or not knowing people - it's just ignorance to assume you would leave your kids with someone you dont know. My goodnes!

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I would have been incredibly upset also...but TRY to just let it go. Of course she was unprofessional, but you should take the high road instead of, possibly, making it worse. As Mom's we don't always have the choice to leave our kids with a sitter and I'm disappointed in the Mom's that have chastised you for having to take your kiddos with you.

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I have only had a couple times where the dr has told me my kids could not be in the room. Years ago it was my OB. He had a nurse take them for a minute and they had a blast coloring. Recently it was my heart dr. They said the kids were not allowed past the waiting room :( Thank god they are older now and watched themselves. Sometimes we really don't have any other options. We try to make the best of it. I am sorry they treated you badly :(

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Hooray for your husband! I wouldn't have let them take them out of the room though. I'm a stinker like that. I don't let them take my kids to the back exam room at the dentist without me, either. They are never out of my sight in public places and doctors' offices. That lady obviously has an issue with kids. Maybe she was just tired after her long day, also. But, she still was wrong. Complain away. Otherwise, they think they can get away with treating people like that. Seriously, doctors are supposed to care about people.

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I wouldn't have left them in a hall to begin with. You should bring your kids, not everyone has childcare. If I opted out of DR appointments becasue I didn't have child care I never would have had an appointment for anything. I have family in state and I don't have help. Can I please borrow the friends and family you all have that do all of your childcare?

Seriously, call and complain they shouldn't have treated you like that. had they gotten over themselves you would have been in and out with no trouble. Some people are selfish jerks!!!

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It always drives me nuts when a doctor gets upset that someone brings their kids to an appointment. Obviously, it's not ideal for us to have our kids there - but if we had any other option, I think most moms would get a sitter. Unfortunately, it's not always possible (like in your case)! Ugg. I don't know if calling and complaining will help much but if it gives you some peace, then definitely do it. And really, the thought of them asking you to put your two year olds in the hallway is a bit absurd. I understand if it is a liability issue (to have the kids in the exam room) and if so, then they should have been clear about that up front.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that kind of frustration so soon after moving to a new place :( Best of luck!

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I've been told to not bring children to an exam before, but it was when I was scheduling it, not when I'd arrived. It makes a difference to have some warning. However, it there truly was not enough space they should've offered to have a nurse or receptionist watch them for a few minuets rather then scolding you. Sometimes its impossible to find a sitter, even when you know some good ones. And no matter what, its the attitude of the person that matters. You can say things nicely and not be a jerk.

Its worth complaining.

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Being someone who has been through this many times being the only one to watch the kids. Yes you should have called them and still should. that was not apropriate. Yes, i can see them asking you to take the children out of a double stroller as strollers are big and put the stroller in the hall ( I have done this before even just for a single stroller), but they cannot make you take them out of the room. I take my kids "sometimes all three, 5yrs 4yrs and 4mo" with me to my apointments and have for years, unless they are going to charge me a lesser rate so I can pay a sitter they can deal with all four of us...that is what I pay them for...lol

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I think you are righ to complain. People should keep there personal comments to themselves when they are suppose to be professional. First of all, it should be obvious that you did not have a sitter because who would bring young children on a Dr's appointment if they did not have to do so. And anyway even if you did have someone to watch them it's not for them to say you should have kept them at home. It seems as if they see themselves as above everyone else and can talk to people any way they want. I have a problem with that. My complaint would be that the staff needs to be educated on how to speak to people without talking to them as if they were speaking to a child.

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Who is going to watch your kids when you work? Wo was watching them when you went in to work in the morning? I don't think it's rediculous for a doctor to expect that you woudl be there with your full attention to the appointment. I do think it is weird they just expected you to put the kids out in the hall, unsupervised?

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I think that is horrible but pretty standard from my experience with Concentra. We use them for work and when I went for an injury that was way beyond what they could deal with the Dr. actually scared me because he did not know what to do and was risking making it worse, just to give me the OK to see a specialist. I have never waited less than 2 hours there and have never left feeling anything but annoyed and sometimes bullied by the doctors there.

I honestly wish I could say complaining would do something but I doubt it would. They seem to be the company every business uses so they don't seem to have to be nice.

Welcome to the area and hopefully you never have to go back!

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Call and complain, but just know you will probably get an "I'm sorry" and that will be it. So if you need to hear it call them, if not let it go. Not all medical people have a bedside manner and clearly this woman didn't. Nothing is worse than having to wait 45 minutes, then wait again in the exam room for someone who is rude. But it's done, I'm sure you passed the test and now you are employed, count your blessings and shake her off!

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Yeah,
call and complain. I can't think of a place that does not welcome children, really? I mean, I know sometimes is not the best place, or appropriate, but still people should really be more conscious of others situations before just opening their mouth!.
Sorry about that, but don't worry, you'll get your job and a sitter or daycare if needed.
Good Luck!!

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I have been to those particular clinics in various locations on a number of times. I worked temp work and every time I changed temp agencies or temp assignments I had to have a new drug test done. I was always just out of the window. I was lucky and had someone to watch my kids. I would have explained to the doctor and nurse that you had just moved there and didn't have anyone to watch them yet. Although who will be watching the kids while you are working? There is a sign up in the ones I have been in that no one under 18 is allowed in the back. Also, it would have been nice if whoever told you about the appointment would have told you that kids weren't allowed in back. Then you could have sought out a baby sitter and made arrangements. Even if it was for someone to go with you and watch them only while you were in back.

I would definitely complain about the rudeness though. Trust me, I complain all the time when wait staff or clerks or nurses are rude. They are in the customer service industry and they are not allowed to have a bad day AND show it to the customer. If they are having a bad day then they better figure out how to fake it really good. I used to.

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My first question is if you are starting a new job who is watching your kids when you are at work. I wish you luck in finding someone in a strange town as I had trouble finding good daycare even in a town I have lived in all my life. Even i you know the town it puts a whole new situation when you have kids. I also have taken my kids to the doctor with me and even though double strollers take up a lot of room and the exam rooms have been small, my doctors have never asked me not to bring my kids or have them leave the room. i would for sure call and complain and you should not ever feel bad about taking you children with you anywhere.
I have family in the are where you live and my niece used to (not sure if still does) work at a daycare in the area. If you would like me to check with her about any ideas for childcare for you let me know. Good luck and God Bless!
Please send me a messege if you want for the info.

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I have never had anyone say anything to me when I bring my youngest to appointments with me. He goes to my primary care dr appointments with me, dentist appointments, and ob appointments if I can't find a sitter he stays in the room and we just pull the curtain for the exam so he can't see what is going on. How much notice were you given that you had to have this exam? Did the place have signs up stating their policy is No Children? If they didn't that's just too bad for them. I would have said no my children can stay right here they are content, strapped in a stroller, and will not be in the way. Did you have an appointment scheduled? You should have told them "maybe if you kept to your schedule my kids would not be screaming"

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You are over reacting. Nobody wants to deal with someone else's crying kids...especially two of them!

You said you are starting a new job, be glad you have a new job to start. Many people still can't find work.

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I would complain, but wait until AFTER you start your job! It may not get you anywhere, but maybe they will think about showing some compassion next time.

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Yes I would complain. I have 3 kids and rarely get a babysitter. My kids usually came with me for dr appt..at least before 2 of them where school age.
Its not the dr place to say that to you. I would say to him something to put him on the spot. Not everyone can afford a the indulges of a sitter to go the doctor.
Kids need to be near their mom..the only time my kids were not near me is when I had to get a x ray..for obvious reasons. Then the nurse watched them.

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I don,t know if I would call as I am sure it wouldn,t do any good just get you upset again. I have taken my younger children many places with me as I do not always have a sitter, including the dentist to get a crown, as long as they were behaveing I see no problem with it. I must say you were lucky for such a short wait, I once went to Concentra for the same and waited in the lobby for over two hours! Good luck and I am sure you will make friends here soon.

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YES I would of been mad myself!! They had no right they could of moved you to a bigger room she did cross the line!

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I would call and keep calling till something is done, that is unacceptable and totally uncalled for. Also I would tell you job what happened they may what to use another place (many are available in MI) for those type of things.
Again I would call to speak to the manager of that office, then ask for the district managers # and name, and keep going. Also tell everyone you know about it and the location, I would never go to a place like that.

I am glad you have a new job, and it sounds like you have a wonderful family. Don't ever explain yourself to anyone, you can take your children any place you want - since when does that place say no kids - that is crazy!

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It was rude, and stuff like this happens in life. If you got your test and it's all said and done just let it go. Screaming kids make everyone nut up, obviously that office had crappy people in it and just know that you don't want to ever go back there again if you don't have to. I doubt complaining to anyone will make a difference. Best just to vent here, we all know how frustrating it must have been. Just one of those days Chickie.

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I would complain that ius unperfessional and if you employment have an issue with it i wouldn't work for them. Children come first when you decide to have them jobs are a dime a dozen. Your kids are number one! Plus the people at the clinic where rude and i would have said something off the spot especially for having to wait that long to begin with.

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it sounds as if everyone was a bit tense.
ideally the stroller should have been removed (her complaint about needing room to do the exam is valid) but the kids probably should have been allowed to stay, even if it wasn't ideal.
the flip side is that everyone thinks their kids are no problem and should be allowed anywhere, when the truth is there are places where it's inappropriate to bring children, and it is indeed a big PITA for medical professionals to try and work around toddlers. you had no choice, but the doctor was probably frazzled too.
i'd let it go.
khairete
S.

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Personally I think you are lucky. Yes she was rude. The last time I had to go for a drug test (about 1 1/2 years ago), I went and it ended up being right before their lunch time so I was sent home even though the hours they gave me over the phone didn't include a lunch time that they wouldn't be doing labwork). Then I didn't have a babysitter when I had to go back so I took my son with me--at the time he was 18 months old. They told me that no kids were allowed. They were seriously going to send me home. I really needed this job. I started crying and one of the nurses said she would watch him while I did the urine test but that she could lose her job by doing so. The first time I was there, they didn't tell me children weren't allowed. I was so mad. I had to pay for parking twice, a baby sitter once and then ended up having to take him anyway.

Long story short...I don't think doctors like when you take your kids. I know they are your kids but you can't control when they are cranky--that will slow them down for their appointments and you won't get the time you deserve.

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I would complain. It doesn't matter whether you had a million people available to watch them or not...you should not have to get a sitter everytime you go somewhere. They're your children and you should be able to bring them with you where ever you want. I think that woman totally crossed the line of professionalism and I would have been livid.
I have a little network of friends that could watch my daughters if I need to go to the drs or run errands...but I don't take advantage of that. I LIKE having my children with me (even if sometimes they get crabby at drs offices).

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I probably would have cried! Lol. I think it was very rude, but it seems like places like that just dont care. We have to go to somewhere special to get blood work done due to insurance. When my one year old needed blood work done, I took him into, I think it was Concentra, and the lady was so mean to my baby and was annoyed that he was crying while having blood taken. I mean, never even cracked a smile at him and had an once of patience. It was horrible! And Im sorry, my kid is gorgeous and for her to be so mean to a little innocent baby like that blew my mind. You could call and complain, but I doubt it will help. Its like you have to go there and they know it so they are going to be as miserable as possible. UH!

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I think that the nurse was quite rude...she obviously didn't know your situation and should have given you the benefit of the doubt. Waiting 45 minutes in the waiting room is over the top when you have small children with you. I hate that...especially when it is at the pediatrician's office.

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EDITED TO ADD: Shall I say... Welcome to Michigan? *giggles* Sorry, had to say that. My entire family and most of my friends are here. I was born and raised here and still would rather not live here.

I would call. Right now. And if you get the job, let your new employer know about that.

I've been to a couple different Concentra centers. I know how small those rooms are... But there is NO REASON she couldn't have done your physical with them in there.

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I would. I don't know of very many people that would take their kids to a doctor's office unless they absolutely had to. Putting that aside, I don't think it was professional for the doctor to say that. If it were me, I would call and be very professional about it, not stoop to the doctor's level.

Good luck.

I work in a doctor's office and have no problem with children being in the exam room as long as the parent can keep them happy. If your children where happy in the room and not crying then I would have let them stay. If they are crying then it is hard for the doctor to do his exam.

In my honest opinion you should have made the appointment when your husband could have watched them. Kids get restless and bored. The doc needed room to move around and it was his office to do as he wanted. if it had been me I would have asked you to make another appointment time when the kids were not there and went on to the next person. What's more important, getting a job and going to work or taking a stand and saying you're kids go where you go.