When you go to the dentist as an adult anticipating a procedure involving anesthesia and drills your preparation probably goes something like this:
Get up and brush your teeth. Eat a light breakfast of easy to chew foods without seeds. Clean your teeth again. Floss. Rinse with mouthwash. Shower and apply clean underwear (in case you end up in hospital after some unforeseeable dental emergency.) Clean your teeth one final time, rinse again with mouthwash. Look up your nose to see if there are any boogers that need to be removed before your dentist spends a lot of time staring closely at your face in the reclined position. Drive to dentist.
When you go to the dentist as a full time mom:
Get up and make the kids breakfast. Check your email for one last time to see if anyone has stepped forward at the last minute to help with childcare while you are at your appointment. See that no-one has. Sigh.
Pack a snack pack and backpack full of toys, crayons, books etc to keep kids occupied. Ask them to go and get dressed. Make yourself a cup of tea. Take tea with you upstairs in the full and certain knowledge that kids will be playing in their pajamas in their room. Help them select clothes and ask them to put them on. Stay nearby so you can remind them to apply each item to their bodies. Grit your already sore teeth. Set up toothbrushes with toothpaste so the kids can clean their teeth. Realize you might want to do that too. Head to the bathroom - get interrupted by four year old who needs her buttons buttoned and her zippers zipped. Get yourself dressed with less care than you intended. Referee an argument about who needs the step stool at the sink to clean their teeth. Remind the nine year old of her height and abilities. Ask the kids to brush their hair. Return to bathroom to clean teeth. Get interrupted by four year old needing help with changing her doll's dress. Remind her that dolly is not going to the dentist so doesn't need a new outfit. Deal with ten minute meltdown because dolly is not going to the dentist. Put dolly, in new outfit, in backpack.
Realize you need to leave NOW for the dentist. Run into the bathroom and swirl mouthwash around your mouth and grab a toothbrush to go. Ask the kids to put their shoes on. Run a comb through your hair in an attempt to look 'polished.' Go downstairs to find kids playing in the living room. Shout at the kids to get their shoes on THIS MINUTE and get in the car. Spend several minutes apologizing and comforting the four year old who "doesn't like it when you shout mummy."
Get in the car, now late, and drive to the dentist. 'Clean' your teeth with a dry toothbrush while driving. Deposit already squabbling kids in waiting room with strict instructions to be good. Feel frazzled and weighed down by kids when you just need to take care of yourself for this one hour. Listen as at least three people in the waiting room and four dental office staff tell you what sweet, well behaved angels you have.
Go in and get your mouth assaulted by needles and metal instruments in the name of good dental care. Listen to the hygienist lecture you about cleaning and flossing with more 'integrity.' Feel like a five year old child with limited motor skills. Listen to your children in the background of the open plan office whilst noting your blood splattering out of your mouth onto various surfaces. Hope your children can't see you. Start to fret that if your children can see and hear what is happening to you they will never go to the dentist willingly again.
Finally finish and slap your brave, happy face on before greeting your children and their long list of needs and requests - you were unavailable to them for 60 minutes after all. Sigh. Carry on with the rest of your childcare day regardless of any swelling, pain or bleeding, unless of course it is happening to one of your children - in which case apply enormous amounts of care and concern.
Sigh.
Whyyyy didn't you call me?
ReplyDeleteI think this applies to anything before and after children. Ha.
ReplyDeleteYes. Being a parent does carry some priorities and responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteVery precise yet essential tips which people easily tend to forget. Well, but one shouldn't avoid seeing a dentist as well. It's been almost a year that i have been getting my treatment done from dentist Mumbai and I am happy with my healthy teeth.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful Blog, but coming back to the topic I think you must see this review of Dentzz Dental Clinic in Mumbai where a patient from USA shares his review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXBXTsRkbTA
ReplyDeleteThe best Dental clinic in Mumbai Dentzz for all is here
ReplyDeleteLife of a dentist seems to be really tough. But this is called professionalism, like even if you are not looking after yourself properly look after your patients and handle them care. Sheer professionalism
ReplyDeleteI really liked the blog it states all the chores that a dentist goes through. Here are some reviews by patients appreciating the efforts of the dentists.
ReplyDeleteCommunicating effectively is a skill, and when you learn how to talk to parents constructively it makes confrontation easier to deal with. Your teaching style can be heavily critiqued by parents. Parents may have their own idea of what good teaching is, and have a differing opinion about their child's progress at school. It is a good habit to begin the school year by initiating communication with parents, and open the door for healthy discussion. parenting teenagers website
ReplyDeleteBabies are genetically predisposed to specific personality traits, and once your baby enters this world he or she will begin to exhibit these tendencies. Sometimes from even hours after your baby is born, you will start to notice various patterns in behavior. Until recently, doctors and scientists simply waved away these perceptions about a baby's personality so young. Now, however, they are realizing that these initial intuitions about your baby's demeanor are actually on target and shed valuable insight into the person your baby will become. baby cribs
ReplyDeletePregnancy is the development of an embryo or fetus, in a woman's uterus. Every pregnant woman's dream is to have a hassle free and complication free pregnancy. The most common symptoms of pregnancy includes missed period, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, changes in breast and others. Positive pregnancy test confirms the pregnancy. There are several things that may cause a complication in your pregnancy. However, some are more common than others. Having a baby is an exciting time for all expectant mothers. Baby pushchairs
ReplyDeleteThe newest member of your family is about to arrive, and you couldn't be more excited - but in the middle of all the baby showers, congratulations and shopping, have you stopped to think about baby safety? From childproofing your home to ensuring that your baby's crib is designed with optimal safety and comfort in mind, making sure that your precious bundle of joy will be happy and healthy is no easy task. Baby Thermometer
ReplyDelete