But an hour or more average appointment time spent in a waiting room with three puzzles, a semi-complete Mr. Potatohead, some scribbled-in Highlights magazines, and Planet Earth droning in the background at some point becomes a pro-meltdown environment. So a mama gets creative. I galumph the stroller out the self-closing 50-lb door as a 36-pound four year old tries his manly best to hold it open, and we head off in search of adventure.
We’ve watched window washers at work, birds in city situations, delivery vans, city buses, etc. Last week, though, was the best experience yet. At the end of a mile-long vacant (other than the doctor’s office where Cowboy’s appointments are) hallway (that may or may not be good for running up and down), a window looks out over a parking garage and the road below.
For a full 15 minutes both boys watched the goings-on with remarkable concentration. Spud read the word BUMP on the road and kept up a steady stream of observations and imaginings about the vehicles. We tracked one car from the top floor of the parking garage to the bottom—kind of like a giant marble run. FB was just as focused—drawn in by the lights and movement, bouncing up and down and drooling in approval.
Only 15 minutes, but it was just what we all needed. I can’t wait to do it again.
How do you help your children enjoy long wait times in public places?
Love this story, so glad you shared it with us. I can tell you it does not get any easier as they get older. Yes, game and music devices help some what and of course a good book. But,I have found that our habit is checking out the closes cafetiere. This in its self can be scary. The food, the cost, and then there was the time I and the oldest went to the rest room to come back and find the youngest with a stranger at his table in a tense conversation. Our path to the table was quickly cut off by the gentleman's wife, who must of read the expression on my face. She quickly informed me that my son was in no danger, that her husband was the author of the book Tanner was reading and was interested in the opinion of a young reader for he was starting to write the next book to follow that one. Keep going on your little adventures around the medical offices you never know who you might meet or what you might see.
ReplyDeleteI love that you were able to rustle up an adventure under the toughest of circumstances! I hope your husband gets some answers (and relief!) soon!
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