Today’s parents want to help their children in every way. But too much help at the doctor’s office might not be what’s best for your child.
“Kids need private time with their doctor. They need to practice how to talk with their doctor,” says Nancy Zises, M.D., FAAP, a pediatrician with the Sutter Health network.
“Many parents are well-intentioned but often want to do all the talking in a doctor visit. If a child doesn’t learn how to speak up about their health while they’re living at home, how are they going to handle going to the ER or the doctor when they’re in college?”
Pediatricians value the perspective of parents, Dr. Zises says. However, kids should learn to describe pain or discomfort in their body. “Even 5-year-olds understand where and how they hurt,” she says.
