Q. Recently, my daughter needed medical attention and my doctor was out of town. The physician on call is a good doctor, but I dislike going to his office because his waiting room is small and overcrowded. On this particular occasion, we had to wait for nearly an hour. I realize that he was attending to his patients and extras, as in my daughter's case. The waiting would not have bothered me so much, except for the obnoxious behavior of several children in the waiting room. My children are well-behaved and have been taught to read of quietly play in the waiting room. The children we encountered were very noisy, fighting over toys and even hitting each other. The parents merely threatened and didn't really do anything to discipline them. One parent took a child in to see the doctor and left two other siblings squabbling in the waiting room. The nurse and receptionist just ignored the children. Finally, I told the children to stop fighting. Was I wrong? A. This is a common scenario acted out in many doctors' offices across the country. Some parents are oblivious to the fact that their children might be annoying others, especially if they are left in the waiting room by themselves. Most likely, these children behave the same way at home and are not disciplined properly there, either. Threats of punishment "when we get home" are often empty threats and are heard on deaf ears. Many parents do not know enough to instruct their children on waiting room behavior. Waiting rooms are often small and crowded. Children need to be monitored and kept in check. It is unfair of some parents to allow their children to disturb others, especially considering some might not be feeling well. The next time happens, say something to the receptionist or the nurse. No one should have to put up with this type of inappropriate behavior. back to the advice column