What do you get when office staff offer to watch your kids?
The twice a year dentist appointment day never goes off without hitch, ever. Never ever. During last visit, it was my youngest losing her lunch on the hygienist even though the child gave advance notice. This time it was grandma who was supposed to go who was actually got sick at home before going. With books and toys in a purse, I begrudgingly took my two youngest daughters on a solo trip to the dentist knowing that at least one would be sitting on a chair within earshot during my appointment. The odds, however, were worse in the office staff’s favor.
The best option and the agreed upon plan for all players involved was momma and one daughter went first while the second sat in the cleaning room with a book waiting for her turn. The two hygienists had decided to take the girls first which lead to both children being done before momma. The office staff assured me that it was going to be great as we were the last patients of the day, but my prediction of a small dental office entertaining my two children peacefully did not exactly jive with theirs. I attempted to suggest sticking to the plan, but then my sociology side decided to kick in, allowing my interest of seeing things play out eventually won.
The first five minutes of my cleaning was relatively uneventful with coloring pages, cavity free certificates, pictures and prizes in the prize basket. The angelic faces had hooked, lined and sinker the office staff. The books were unopened in my purse along with the animal figurines that laid dormant beside them. However, the tides were changing and without notice the two quiet young ladies had begun running down the narrow hallway like linebackers. Then there was the bickering, the noise of the dental tools were drowned out by the unreasonable squabbles. The noises coming from the children were quickly silenced by deafening terror of one thing, the youngest had decided to wonder off into the waiting room. The office staff kept on trying to reassure that the girls were angels and absolutely fine like the reassurance was for their peace of mind instead of my own.
Within a half hour, the appointment was over and my children had inevitably worn themselves out. The girls may have even worn out the staff as well. In all likelihood, I should probably wish the dentist an extra peace with her at church on Sunday!
