How to Deal With Noisy Children In Your Office

The lobby is full; Muzak is playing the instrumental version of "La Isla Bonita" through the office speakers. Ringing phones and the steady buzz of magazine pages turning is keeping the lobby at a comfortable sound level… Aahhh, it's a great day!

Then it happens, the door opens and in walks frazzled parent X, with 3 children. Adorable cherub faces, the youngest with her dolly in tow, the other two are just mad to be awake! Mom struggles to find a place for the four of them to comfortably sit amongst  the other sparsely seated patients. Patients that are already sick and crabby and becoming increasingly irritated due to the whirlwind that just entered the office.

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In a matter of minutes, the pinching starts, then the whining, then the screaming. Mom is counting to "three" with threats of no ice cream. Impending time-outs have been cast in to the children's near future.  Now patients are complaining to YOU, like you personally invited the family in to disrupt and annoy everyone in the office.

Well, while we salute the parents that are brave enough to venture in to stores, dr. appointments and bank trips with young ones; sometimes things can get ugly. At what point do unruly children become YOUR responsibility? What do you do when patients with small children began to wreak havoc in your establishment? Here are a few pointers:

1. If space permits provide a play area for children in your lobby. Instead of providing trucks and dinasours where children have to create their own noises; provide a more quite form of entertainment like crayons or puzzles.
2. Perhaps a sign "suggesting" noisy or fussy children should be taken outside to calm down for the convenience of other patients can be strategically placed for parents to see.
3. Well meaning office staff or even strangers often offer kids a treat to keep them quiet.  Do NOToffer children candy to distract them, 15 minutes later you will curse every Starburst and Jolly Rancher ever made.
4. Lastly, if you MUST say something keep it positive. If you mention "other" patients or staff members are being disrupted or annoyed the parent may become defensive and embarrassed. If you must approach the parent, try something to the affect of " With all this heat/cold it's no wonder these little ones are so wound up… If you'd like there's a water fountain in the hallway, maybe they'd like a drink? Or suggest that perhaps the children may appreciate  a change of scenery and point out a "cool painting" or sculpture in the front of the building. Suggest it with a SINCERE SMILE!

Remember :diplomacy is key. You may not always keep everyone happy. If the child is the patient, they don't feel well so being sensitive to the situation is important. We never want to embarrass the parent, but they may get the point with a smile and a helpful hint. Be creative with your approach it may be the only thing that saves you as NyQuil sedation and children leashes are usually frowned upon.

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