The Waiting Game: Why Does Our Time Matter the Least?
Picture this: You’ve got a doctor’s appointment scheduled. You’ve planned your day around it, wrangled the kids, packed the snacks, and shown up on time. The waiting room is empty, and you allow yourself a moment of hope: This will be quick.
But then the clock starts ticking.
Five minutes pass. Then ten. Before you know it, thirty minutes have gone by. The snacks are gone, the kids are getting restless, and your carefully planned schedule is starting to fall apart. You’re stuck in that unique kind of limbo only a waiting room can provide, feeling your patience wear thinner with every passing minute.
Why does it feel like our time is the least valuable resource in these situations?
We all get it. Emergencies happen. Appointments run over. But the frustration hits a different level when you see the doctor stroll past, clearly heading to lunch, while you’re still waiting. It’s a small thing, but it sends a big message: your time isn’t the priority here. For busy parents juggling work, family, and a million other responsibilities, that message stings.
The Real Cost of Waiting
This isn't just about a minor inconvenience. It's about the emotional toll it takes. When you’re trying to keep a toddler from climbing the furniture or a baby from a full-blown meltdown, a 90-minute wait feels like an eternity. It’s a test of your energy, your focus, and your sanity.
You’re left feeling powerless, frustrated, and disrespected. You did your part. You showed up prepared and on time. Why isn't that courtesy returned?
Let's break down what's really happening in those moments:
Lost Productivity: That "quick" appointment just cost you half your morning. Emails pile up, deadlines loom, and the mental load gets heavier.
Drained Energy: Managing restless kids in a confined space is exhausting. You walk out of the appointment more tired than when you walked in.
Growing Frustration: It’s hard to stay calm and collected when you feel like your time and effort are being completely disregarded.
It’s a shared experience that almost every parent can relate to, yet we often just accept it as "the way things are." But should we?
Is It Time to Expect Better?
We’re expected to be punctual, to be prepared, and to have our kids under control. These are reasonable expectations. So why is it unreasonable to expect our time to be valued in return?
This isn't about demanding perfection. It's about asking for basic respect and communication. A simple heads-up that things are running behind can make all the difference. An apology for a long wait can help ease the frustration. It’s about acknowledging that the person in the waiting room has a life, a schedule, and responsibilities outside of that one appointment.
This issue goes beyond just doctor’s offices. It’s about a broader culture that often fails to recognize the value of personal time. We’re told to be more efficient and productive, yet we’re constantly put in situations that rob us of our most finite resource.
So, what can be done? Maybe it starts with a conversation. Maybe it’s about sharing our experiences and realizing we’re not alone in this frustration. It’s about creating a new standard where mutual respect for time is the norm, not the exception.
You deserve to feel seen, respected, and valued—not just as a patient, but as a person with a life to lead.
What’s your take? What’s the longest you’ve had to wait, and how did you handle it? Share your story in the comments. Let's talk about how we can start to change the game.