Be Kind, Rewind

There is a lot to be stressed about lately.  Innocent people are being heartlessly gunned down around the world, and in our kids’ schools, our supermarkets, and our doctors’ offices.  Inflation is out of control and putting many of us under significant financial strain.  COVID may well be at the worst our town has seen yet.  Summer is approaching and students are grinding out their final projects and tests, and parents are frantically trying to patch together camps and childcare.  The environment.  Racism.  Sexism.  Prejudice of all kinds.  Political polarization…

At Lakeside Pediatrics, we really understand that these are trying times.  We’ve been seeing unprecedented numbers of patients needing help with mental health.  Our nurses and receptionists are offering empathy and support to every family with whom they interact; even when they’re exhausted by many of the same stressors.  Our social worker, Jordan, has been helping many families through challenges.  We really, really want to help you all, whole-heartedly.

It makes sense that with increased stress in all of us, we have been experiencing a marked increase in parents expressing frustration with us.  We get it.  We continue to adapt our practice to respond to feedback.

Please consider that the staff person in the room with you, across the counter, or on the phone, is trying their best to support you.  Not only you, but thousands of you.  Please be kind to us.

We welcome any feedback.  But before you give it, please be kind, and rewind (for my 80’s and 90’s parents).  Take a step back, a deep breath, and consider your words and actions carefully.

I am reticent to submit the above request to you because all of you have been kind to us essentially all of the time.  I thank you for that.  We truly love our relationships with you.

I feel I need to round this entry out with a look on the bright side, which seems nowhere to be found in the media.   There are more flowers right now than any other time of the year.  Our kids have nearly made it through another COVID school year.  We live in a country, which despite its open wounds, is a place where we are generally free and have opportunity and safety.  We live in a community that is very supportive.  Almost every interaction we each have with other people is positive.  Our 5-11 year olds can get booster vaccines and our 6 month-5 year olds will likely be eligible for vaccines by the end of this month.  There is a whole lot of good happening right now too.

Thank you for the good you bring to us.  This morning I had five visits that were pure joy.  We are lucky to be given the privilege of caring for your families.  Thank you for listening.

Greg