Making eye contact with your parent or sibling during an exam

When you guys had a parent or sibling in the room with you during your exam, did you ever make eye contact with them, or did you try to avoid it? What about them- how did THEY handle that situation?

For me it varied. Usually I would try to avoid making eye contact with mum due to the embarrassment I experienced during the exams. I think most of the time she was more interested in watching in detail what was being done & how I was reacting. A few times we did make eye contact but that was usually when the exam was uncomfortable / painful and she would give a reassuring look.

For me it varied. Usually I would try to avoid making eye contact with mum due to the embarrassment I experienced during the exams. I think most of the time she was more interested in watching in detail what was being done & how I was reacting. A few times we did make eye contact but that was usually when the exam was uncomfortable / painful and she would give a reassuring look.

Was there any change in her demeanor when and if you developed an erection? Knowing my own mom, she probably would have been slightly mortified despite understanding it.

Growing up, I rarely visited the doc unless I was significantly sick or hurt. My mom's chronic health condition ( lupus ) caused my own routine health care to be pushed aside. My mom regularly suffering from painful, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening flare-ups didn't leave much time for the basic turn your head and cough stuff for me.

My foster parents were present for my annual physicals and sick visits from 11-13. At age 14 I started seeing my doctor alone. They maintained eye contact to comfort me as I had some awful experiences with medical professionals up until that point. I was underweight, asthmatic and suffered from anxiety and insomnia. My first physical with my new pediatrician was a turning point. Being in my underwear on the exam table was not necessarily embarrassing as my FP's saw me in my swimming briefs on more than one occasion (I was learning to dive). It was fear of the unknown and those previous experiences caused me to break down and cry which triggered an asthmatic attack. My new doctor was exceptionally kind and understanding and helped me get on the healing road. I was referred to a pediatric pulmonologist to investigate other treatment options for my asthma. (another good doctor) My doctor also recommended I have a neuropsychological evaluation to assess my emotional, cognitive and intellectual skills.

It was something difficult to avoid. Many times, while getting my temperature taken rectally, my feet were facing my parents, but during the genital exam, the doctor would have me face them. That was always the most embarrassing part.