Just navigated my first doctor visit and actually knew what was happening | DadHQ

Just navigated my first doctor visit and actually knew what was happening

Dec 21 min read

This might sound dumb but I used to just stand there while my wife talked to the pediatrician. Today at the 2-month checkup I actually asked questions about the vaccine schedule and knew what percentile our daughter was in without being told. Felt like I leveled up somehow lol. The nurse even asked my opinion on something and I had an actual answer. Small wins but feeling proud of myself for showing up mentally instead of just physically being there.

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Comments(7)

KKent R.Regular1d ago

The nurse noticing you were engaged is probably because a lot of dads just stand there silently. You asking questions and being present probably stood out. That's solid.

HHector R.Regularjust now

The percentile thing is actually important though. Like knowing your kid is 60th percentile vs 30th percentile changes how you think about development. Good that you leveled up.

TTodd N.Regularjust now

Did you notice a difference in how the pediatrician treated you after you asked actual questions? Like more respect or actual conversation vs just explaining stuff?

CCarl L.Regularjust now

This moment is bigger than it sounds. You went from "my wife handles this" to "I understand what's happening with my kid." That's a fundamental shift in parenting engagement.

TThomas H.Regularjust now

That leveled up feeling is real though. Once you start actually understanding the medical stuff instead of just being there, you can actually co-parent more effectively instead of just assisting.

GGary R.Regularjust now

That's not dumb at all. Actually engaging with the medical stuff instead of just being there is a big shift. You went from spectator to participant.

GGabe R.Regularjust now

This isn't dumb at all - a lot of dads stay in the passenger seat role longer than they realize. Asking questions about vaccine schedules and knowing percentiles is you actively parenting instead of assisting. That IS a level up.