The Waiting Game—You Can Win
Waiting in line is a part of life. The average person spends five years of a lifetime waiting in line. Throw a child into the equation, and waiting can be challenging and stressful. So what’s a parent to do? An experienced parent will tell you it’s all about having a strategy.
You find yourself with a sick child and sibling in the waiting room, counting the minutes until you see the doctor. It’s been 15 minutes since the nurse took your child’s vital signs and said, “The doctor will see you in a minute.” Your sick child is grouchy, and her sibling has already twice read the book you packed. Now what? Liberty mom Danele Smith knows the waiting game all too well, with two young elementary school-aged daughters and an infant daughter. She says you can never have too many tricks up your sleeve, or rather, in your purse. One of her favorites: Play-doh! Danele says it’s perfect for any occasion from waiting at the doctor’s office to a restaurant. “I always carry the small-size containers in my purse, one for each kid. They each get one at a restaurant and can do whatever they want with it,” Danele says. “I always throw it out after one use. Since we don't go out to eat a lot, this is worth the expense.”
Danele also recommends searching out kid-friendly waiting areas. She admits she’ll even pay more for a service or drive a little farther for it if there is something there to keep her kids busy. “I'll get my oil changed 30 minutes away from Liberty at a dealership in South Kansas City, because they have a very cool, enclosed play room for kids,” she says. “I get to sit and watch talk shows while they are in this awesome sound-proof, floor-to-ceiling windowed room!”
Instead of dreading the wait with children, parenting experts say use it as a teachable moment. Danele agrees and says she has a quick conference with her daughters before heading out the door. “I tell them what is going to happen and what I expect of them,” she says. “‘We will have to wait until they call our name,’ ‘You have to stay where I can see you,’ or ‘There will be a lot of people, so you have to stay very close to me.’”
Parenting experts say waiting can provide a great teachable moment for older kids, and they can learn to take responsibility for themselves. www.Babyzone.com suggests having older siblings pack for themselves by grabbing a book or electronic device. If they get bored during the wait, they will know better next time what to bring along.
And while we are teaching our children about patience, we might even get a better grasp on the concept ourselves. Remember, children will have melt-downs, and sometimes the key to survival is just having a little more patience. But often with planning, preparation and a big purse, parents can win at the waiting game.
Check out these tips to win at the waiting game:
- Stuff It Always have a toy, book or a snack stashed in your purse. If you anticipate a longer wait ahead of time, pack all three! However, stick to a healthy snack. A sugary snack may fuel the melt-down.
- Talk It Out Talk to your children about having to wait or take the conversation in a different direction. Use the time to talk about their day, make up imaginary stories or discuss what is for dinner that night. Direct their attention away from what is on their minds: boredom.
- Play a Game Be creative and make up a game on the spot or try the old standards such as “I Spy” or “Tic-Tac-Toe.”
- Focus on the Child You do not need to entertain or stimulate your child 24/7. But while you are waiting, parents should put away the cell phones and gadgets. Stop texting and checking email. Be engaged with your child in a book or conversation. If they are handling the wait fine on their own, tell them you need to check a few emails or want to look at a magazine while they play with the toy.
Heather Claybrook is a freelance writer and mother of three.