Appointments 1

In any large household, but especially one with three generations, appointments are a major feature.  Many weeks there is at least one. Usually, it is the mother's job to co-ordinate and accompany.

These are just a few of my thoughts about appointments. Hope that they are helpful and not just teaching you to suck eggs.

I've struggled with my attitude to appointments. Sometimes, it seems that there are several a week and organising them and around them takes so much time. It should be a joy to serve but it is easy to be like Martha cumbered about much serving and to forget Mary who had chosen the good part by hearing Jesus' word.

Appointments attended by the mother in a large family are usually those where either someone is young or old and needs help remembering and putting their point of view across and needs help travelling. Always take

• diary-electronic or otherwise for making future appointments
• change for parking-often very expensive
• phone to inform others if the appointment is longer than expected.

and if possible, leave the next meal prepared! I'm not good at the latter.
Please note that what follows is not about emergency situations which, of course, override most of this.

Anyway, some practical points about avoiding appointments:

• Does the appointment really need to happen? Some simple medication issues can be sorted out over the phone.
• Does the appointment need to happen now? A routine six month appointment can wait a week or so until a convenient time.
• Can the appointments be bunched? Three dentist appointments together, for example. I find that this doesn't work if one person has more complex issues but sometimes a more complex appointment can be put with a parent's appointment.
• Can two issues be covered at once? For example, a nearly due medication review with another problem. It is worth warning the receptionist as a double appointment may be needed.

Some further thoughts about children and appointments to follow.

This is linked to Works for me Wednesday.