Having uninterrupted adult conversations... or not...

Today was my long day at work. One of my patients was a 9 month old boy coming in for a routine well check. Mom also brought along her two year old daughter and four year old son. It is always challenging trying to speak to moms about baby's sleeping, eating, developmental milestones in the midst of a somewhat chaotic environment. Mom's attention was split between trying to calm down a fussy, sleepy 9 month old on her lap and her other two children who were all over the exam tables and patient equipment. She was trying to make sure they didn't hurt themselves physically and didn't get into any escalated arguments or fights. At one point in the visit, we were almost shouting to one another above all the raucous. Hearing one another was one thing but keeping sense and not losing our train of thought was another! Being a mom myself, I feel I now look at this situation with new perspective and empathy. I laughed and told the mom that I'll probably be in the same boat as her in 2 years... well, that is if we go for #3...