We had one of those packed days on Wednesday where we were all out of the house from before breakfast until after dinner. It was a fun day, but by the end of it I was looking forward to sitting on the couch and watching my stories on the TV. But first it was Annie’s bedtime.
We went through her whole routine, and at the end of it she and I were sitting on the floor facing each other. She was being really cute and I was overcome with a feeling of “OMG YOU ARE ADORABLE I WANT TO HUG YOU AND KISS YOU AND POSSIBLY TICKLE YOU A LITTLE.” So I reached over and wrapped my arms around her and leaned her backwards onto the floor. Except I caught her off guard and (according to Mike, who was standing in the door watching us), Annie put her right arm behind her to brace herself. I didn’t realize that and kept leaning her backwards…until I heard a SNAP.
So of course, Annie started crying, and I started crying, because I’d hurt her. We scooped her up and brought her out to the couch to evaluate. Mike and I asked her to wiggle her fingers and touch her nose, which she could do, but with some difficulty. We asked her where it hurt and she said “the inside of my elbow.” We put ice on her elbow and let her play with the iPad, and her sniffles stopped. I started to think that maybe the snap I heard was just a joint popping. Other than the initial crying, she didn’t seem too worked up. But then Mike asked her to raise both arms over her head, and when she tried the scream she let out was epic. So off to the ER we went.
The ER wasn’t too crowded, but we still waited about an hour to be seen. For the first 50 minutes of waiting, Annie was content people watching from Mike’s lap. But for the last ten minutes, she started to whimper, and that made me cry because I felt so horribly guilty. Luckily, once she was put in a bed things got “exciting” for her. First, a nurse gave her a pain medication. “Mama, it tastes like strawberries!” Then she was wheeled through the ER to get an x-ray. “I’m on a ride! WHEE!” And then there was the x-ray itself. She was a little wary until I told her that the machine was just going to take a picture of her bones. She thought that was amazing (I also give lots of credit to Bubble Guppies and Doc McStuffins for making the whole thing seem awesome to her).
Annie thought the picture of her bones was really cool.
After her x-ray, the drugs kicked in. The nurse that gave them to her told me they’d make Annie sleepy. I should have known they would actually have the opposite effect, since Annie is one of those kids that gets hyper on Benedryl. She got loopy. She was singing songs, blowing raspberries, and cracking up everyone within earshot.
The x-rays showed no sign of a fracture, but the exam revealed lots of swelling. The ER doctors told us to follow up with Annie’s regular doctor since often fractures can take some time to appear in toddlers. To be on the safe side, the ER doctor decided to splint Annie’s arm. Annie thought this was the coolest thing EVER, and was very excited about having a splint and sling. We got to take her home after midnight, and not only was she out the second her head hit the pillow, but she slept until we woke her up at 10:30 the next morning.
We took her to see Dr. Looove on Thursday. She was very excited to show Dr. Looove her splint.
Dr. Looove did another x-ray, and that one didn’t show any fractures, either. She did an exam, and while she manipulated Annie’s arm she said she felt a pop, and thought it was a ligament sliding back into place. She gave us instructions to ice Annie’s elbow off and on, and to have her go for extended periods without her splint. She said that often little kids won’t use their injured arms out of fear when they are actually fine, but if we left her splint off we might catch her “forgetting” to be afraid. We’ve tested that theory and while she definitely has moments of favoring her right arm, she has been using it more and more without any sort of complaint.
We have an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist this week, but Mike and I are feeling like Dr. Looove’s diagnosis of an elbow sprain is accurate. Annie seems to be bouncing back with no problem. I, however, still feel like the worst mom ever.
Gen says:
Awwww, poor little Annie! Don’t beat yourself up about it Heather, I’m sure in a weeks time Annie will be back to normal and wont even remember being hurt.
But ohhhhhh how I wish you got a video of her being loopy on painkillers. That photo is hilarious!
Heather says:
I actually did get videos! But I won’t post them – I don’t think future-teenager Annie would appreciate those seeing the light of day, even though three-year-old Annie thinks the videos are hilarious. “Mama, I’m being so goofy!” LOL
Steph says:
Good call! My 15-year old is so easily embarrassed that sometimes I don’t know what I’ve done that caused it.:)
Annalisa says:
I’d say “hold it right there, don’t go feeling guilty over an unforeseen accident” except I have no room to talk. I’m all “OMG, I’ve scarred my child forever” every time I’ve accidentally turned around with her on my heels and knocked her down as a result (She really lives up to her “ninja” prenatal nickname, she gets catlike close while avoiding detection about once a week).
That said, I bet the only thing she remembers in a week or two is the cool splint she got to wear, so don’t feel bad, mama!
Jenn says:
You’re an excellent Mama Heather. Accidents happen!!! My son broke his wrist on a Friday afternoon and we thought he just sprained it so he didn’t go to the ER until the Sunday. You could have knocked me over with a feather when we found out he DID have a fractor…..TALK ABOUT GUILT!!! He forgave us just like I know Annie has already forgiven you. Chin up…..it could be been worse!!! My Best Friend ran over her son’s foot with her car!!! Not only was his foot broken but he also needed surgery and a 2 night hospital stay!!! We laugh about it now but at the time it required 2 new video games for him and a nice, BIG bottle of wine for her!! Ha ha ha
I hope you feel better Sweetie. Sending you lots of hugs and support!!!
Take Care,
xo
Karen says:
Ive dropped my daughter on her head, the phone on her head, my son fell from the door bouncer and regularly ran off the bed when a toddler (that was quite funny as he would seem to hover like a cartoon character before falling!). My husband dropped the remote control on the daughters head too. Oh and my son wholloped my newborn daughter on the head with a piece of skirting board because he didnt want to go to bed.
My point? Sometimes ‘accidents’ happen , even when you love your children very much, and you maybe the cause of them.
Antonia says:
We’ve all done it, Heather! When my daughter was two, I was carrying her and I stood on a piece of Lego with my right foot and then a piece of Lego with my left foot (ouch! ouch!). That caused me to stagger and I pitched forward and my daughter hit the front windowsill with her cheekbone. She was inconsolable and I took her to casualty. But the wait was long and after 90 minutes, she was so clearly fine that I took her home again. She’s now a beautiful 21-year-old and doesn’t remember a thing. I STILL feel guilty!
Heather says:
I know how you feel! When my youngest was 2, my husband tickling and playing with her while I was changing her for bed. He grabbed both her arms and legs and lifted her off the bed. When she suddenly started crying we couldn’t figure out what was wrong! Every time we touched her arm she would sob. We finally decided to take her to the ER. The whole time we waited she clung to me, he felt HORRIBLE and desperately wanted to hold her to make her feel better, but she wasn’t having it,
They took us into X-ray and asked me to hold her arm in position so they could get a good shot, as the nurse manipulated it, we heard the pop. Her elbow had dislocated and when we positioned it for the procedure popped back in.
We felt horrible! I was afraid Social Services would be called, but the nurses said this happens a lot! Now she’s 5 and we STILL are cautious with her arms! LOL
Cathy K. says:
They’re called accidents, they happen. You are both excellent patents and while you shouldn’t feel guilty, please don’t be too hard on yourself.
DefendUSA says:
When the baby of the family was 13 months, his big sister was carrying him down the stairs…she slipped and sat on the stairs on his leg…we didn’t think anything of it, til he wouldn’t stand to look at the birdies…it was broken….The doc said he wasn’t going to cast it because the baby would walk when it felt good to him. A week went by and we got another x-ray…and surprise, it was nearly healed. He was not walking but would pull up and stand gingerly. 5 weeks went by and he finally took off running! His big sister used to feel so bad, but…now, we tell the story as if it was the big event…He remembers nothing but WE remember him running. She was so relieved!! Annie will be bounced back in no time and so will you!!
Heather says:
When I was around Annie’s age, my dad used to swing me in circles while holding my hands. A million parents have done it.
My shoulder dislocated. Cue ER visit, magnificent lie to my mom who was told I was holding his hand and jumped and “ohmy gosh, how did that happen just from jumping”. In his defense, my dad was a young dad -22- and my mom was hyper protective.
I’m an adult now, and all I can remember is the fun of being swung in circles. All I know is he was an awesome Dad.
Stuff happens, glad she’s okay, but try to let go of the guilt. You’re an awesome Mom.
TamaraL says:
Poor Annie…and poor mama! She does look SO darned cute with that splint…her sweater looks like a little cape! I hate to tell you…this probably won’t be the last time she has an accident…let’s hope the next time, it’s Mike’s turn!!
Nicci says:
My daughter, who was about four at the time, complained for days (maybe weeks) about her elbow hurting and I kept putting her off. I was going away for a girls weekend with a friend and finally made an appt for my husband to take her to the dr. He called me while I was at the airport, her elbow had been dislocated the entire time! So yeah, big fail for me, but on the upswing, she is now almost 13, happy, healthy and none worse for the wear. You’re doing a great job!
Sara says:
When our daughter was probably 3, my parents were visiting for 4th of July. We went to swim at their hotel and she didn’t want to leave. My husband was holding her hand when she suddenly dropped like a sack of potatoes. He didn’t have time to even let go of her hand, and she started crying and saying her wrist hurt. We got her to the ER and she was saying “daddy hurt me! Daddy hurt me!” and I was like “daddy didn’t hurt you on purpose” to which she started saying “daddy hurt me on purpose!” Just what you want your kid saying as you walk into the ER.
Luckily, the Doctor saw her for 2 seconds, popped her ligament back in place (and she was perfectly fine after that and wanted only Daddy) and told us that it was Nursemaid’s elbow, which is the most common injury in kids that age. She didn’t even need a split. (he said she was saying her wrist hurt because the pain was radiating down and she was too little to understand that it started at her elbow.)
I’d actually heard of nursemaid’s elbow before, but my husband never had. Our old daycare lady’s 18 month old had had the same thing happen to her, they were playing and suddenly her elbow hurt. I think all parents should know about this.
JoAnn says:
When I saw last week’s post I had total flashbacks, Heather! When my now five year old son was about 2 he and I were coming home from the grocery store and I was floating him down the steps, holding his hand. We got to the bottom and he started wailing in pain, clutching his elbow. I have never, ever felt so horrible or terrified in my life! I rushed him to the Dr. and it turned out that he had “milkmaid’s elbow”, which essentially means that I dislocated his elbow joint. She was able to manipulate it right there in the office, and he was immediately 95% better! I was so relieved! And I have never, ever swung him around or floated him by the hand ever, ever again!!! Please do not feel badly, these things happen! And I am so, so glad that Annie is better!
Heather says:
This is sooo common in kids. My sister accidentally dislocated my son’s elbow when he was 2. She was lifting him up by the arms (never a good thing) and he dropped down as she lifted up. We heard a snap, and he was in pain the rest of the day, until a doctor did a simple maneuver which puts in back in place. The elbow itself is not actually “dislocated”, it simply dislocated for a split second when the injury happens, then a tendon snaps into the open joint space, and the joint closes over it again. Doctors know a technique that pulls the tendon back out in a second. We now know never to lift kids by their arms. Glad Annie is ok.
Lilian says:
Everyone has already said what I was going to say.
In addition, how are YOU doing Heather? How’s your allergic reaction going? Is your face still swollen? Hope you are feeling better!
Heather says:
My face is 99% back to normal – I have some redness and a bit of swelling under my eyes that mostly looks like I’ve been on a crying jag! I will be writing all about that tonight – it was too long to add it to this post!
Kate says:
Oh dude, Heather. Do not feel like the worst mom ever. When my brother was Annie’s age, he was throwing an epic tantrum about going to bed–like, endlessly epic–and when my mother’d had enough and grabbed him by the arm to steer him in that direction, he grabbed onto a piece of furniture to stop himself and his elbow ended up dislocated. My mother was horrified, afraid that the ER would think she was abusing us, et cetera et cetera . . . and when she and my dad got to the ER, they were like, “Pffft, this is more common than you know, it’s fine!” She felt bad for a couple days until my brother returned to being willful and stubborn, and then she realized he wasn’t traumatized, so why should she be?
I kind of still find the whole thing funny, mostly because he cheered up before they even left the house–he figured out not to use that arm and he was content!
Lora says:
I agree with the others who said that we have all been there! It’s practically impossible to be a parent without accidentally hurting your child at some point. It happened while you were showering her with love, and of course you didn’t meant to, no need to beat yourself up. But I do understand the feeling. Oh yes.
Bmom says:
Oh Heather! Please don’t be too hard on yourself! I have no room to talk as my name should be “guiltriddenmama”, but these things do truly happen……and I should know as each of our three has experienced something similar, from Nursemaids elbow when simply playing with her big sis, to a fractured tibia at Target right after I said “Get down from there before you fall down and hurt yourself” (I really have tried not to say that since) and the list goes on.
Ummmm, I should stop before I scare you. Suffice it to say, things happen and it’s never easy to deal with, but you two are the best parents around and Annie will probaby remember the fun ride in the ER and cupcake after more than anything.
So glad Annie’s arm is on the mend and I hope she’s feeling better each day and you are too!
TracyKM says:
Oh man! Poor you; it’s always harder on the parent when they’ve accidently hurt their child. I could write a book about the crazy things my kid have had happen.
I’ve got to say though, it’s a good thing I never went into any sort of medicine career. I looked at that x-ray and said “Wow, look at that broken bone, with the big gap there”. That’s how the elbow is supposed to look? What holds that squared off end in place? Freaky.
Rachel says:
LOL I thought the same thing about the x-rays!
Heather says:
I totally thought the same thing! I GASPED and was like, “OMG I VAPORIZED HER ARM!” and the tech was like, “nah, it’s supposed to look like that.” I don’t understand it at all!
Barbara says:
Growth plates.. they float like that to give them room to eventually grow together which is why it is so easy to dislocate.. The tendons/ligaments are kinda like straps holding it in place.
At least that is my no medical training rudementary understanding.
Babbalou says:
Let go of the guilt, you are a fabulous mother! My youngest is graduating from college soon and I have to say with a spirited child like Annie, during her teen years especially you will have to accept that you are doing the best you can. Otherwise all those decisions you make and your response to the choices she makes will drive you crazy. Should I have been stricter? Am I saying no to something that really might be ok? There’s no manual and many opportunities to feel guilty or inadequate if you let yourself. Do your best and focus on the love, not the guilt. And by the way, my younger son also got hyper on benedryl.
Shea says:
You’re not the worst mom ever, but I can totally understand the guilt! My mom is still traumatized about the time she cut the top of my thumb when she was clipping my nails when I was just a few months old. She actually remembers the date and has been known to call me on that day and say, “You know what today is? The day I cut off the top of your thumb.” It was not nearly that dramatic, I have no scars or anything, but she is obviously permanently scarred. I’m now 25, by the way, haha.
Karen says:
Sound a lot like nursemaid’s elbow, which we inflicted upon my niece when she was a mere 2 years old. You are a great mother. Accidents happen.
Gretta says:
Bad Moms hurt their kids on purpose.
Good Moms get their kids medical care when the inevitable accident happens.
Lynnette says:
This is the best response to this accident. What wonderful insight!
Heather, I can imagine the guilt you are feeling. I would too. But like Gretta said, as a good Mom, you got her medical care quickly.
Miriam says:
My parents love to tell me the story of how when I was a baby, my dad was going up the stairs in their apartment complex with me in his arms when he missed a step, fell, and landed on me on the stairs. Not only did my head hit the stairs, I got a little cut in my mouth and bled, took me to the ER and I was 100% fine. My dad always cries when he tells me this story even now, he tells me how horrible he felt at that moment and how he cried all the way to the ER because he was so frightened something bad would happen because my head had hit one of the stair steps. However, I turned out to be an honor roll student and graduated college being in the 10% of my graduating class. So things turned out mightly well! lol!!
cindy w says:
You are most certainly NOT the worst mom ever because you give over-enthusiastic hugs. Not even close.
Also, the picture of drunk Annie on the gurney with her Doc McStuffins doll is perhaps my favorite thing ever. (I’m imagining her singing an Irish dirge. Don’t correct me if I’m wrong.)
Heather says:
Oh Cindy, she was singing, “Gotta BUUUUUNCH of BONNNNNES inSIIIIIIIDE me!” Seriously, she was the talk of the ER. I think they all thought she made that song up!
cindy w says:
Oh god. Ok, I take it back. That is a million times better.
(Those Bubble Guppies are whores.)
Sara says:
I’m sorry, I think that bones song is kinda catchy….weird right?
Heather – so glad she’s ok – and you didn’t even have to call a “clambulance.” Great, now the song is in my head.
Tricia says:
If it makes you feel any better, my husband did it twice to Bella the first time on the way back from urgent care, she told him: “I’m sorry you hurt my arm daddy.” He about died poor guy.
Jen K. says:
Yep, sounds like nuresmaid’s elbow. It happened to my younger one when my older on knocked him over. They actually showed us the technique at the ER to fix it, in case it happens again. Doc there told us that a kid who has had it once is more likely to get it again than one who never has. We were instructed not to pick him up by the hands (which we would do to swing him around sometimes). Only under the armpits from now on.
Kelly says:
Poor Annie, but poor, poor Momma! There is nothing worse!
Linn says:
When I was Annie’s age, my Mike-size dad was spinning me in circles off the ground just holding my hands (I know, but it was the 70s). He put me down and I stood there screaming with my arms straight out — he had dislocated both my elbows. Not only did I forgive him, I don’t even remember it happened.
PattyB says:
Everyone has some type of incident similar to yours with at least one of their kids. My now 22 year old daughter was about 3 when I felt the same as you. We were in my parents’ backyard playing catch with a giant kickball-type ball. Someone got the ball stuck up in a tree, and my daughter was very disappointed our game had to stop. Since the tree was really tall, I got the bright idea to toss up an aluminum baseball bat to dislodge the ball. It absolutely worked, but in my brilliance I didn’t consider that my daughter had been standing under the tree waiting for her ball to come down. You can guess what happens next. The bat came back and hit her right in the face. I had backed up to make her my toss was one, and forgot that she was standing right there. The bruise she had on her eye was epic, and I had tons of fun explaining that one to her daycare provider. I spent a long time making that one up to her. You are human, as we all are. As far as Annie is concerned, you gave her a thrilling experience.
Alexis says:
Oh Heather! This made me cry! I’m so glad Annie is on the mend.
This should make you feel better…
We lived about a block from the neighborhood pool when my third daughter was two. One evening after dinner we went for a swim. It was a bit chilly when we got out of the heated water. I wrapped Audrey up in her towel and we all headed home. On the way Audrey tripped on the uneven sidewalk and fell. Since her arms where all wrapped up she couldn’t catch herself. Her face bounced off the sidewalk. A plastic surgeon, 8 stitches, and two years later I can’t look at that sweet face without feeling horrible.
Parenting is tricky! You’re doing a great job! We pray for all of you daily!
Much love!
Heather G says:
I thought I’d share my story, so you know you aren’t the only one. When my B was about 2 we were leaving the house. I was holding his hand and walking out the door. He decided to turn & go the other way. Screams & tears started. He moved his arm when I asked & calmed down after a few. We tried to leave again. I went to put his arms through the straps of his car seat & the screams & tears came back. Checked him out & he calmed right down. Off we went. We didn’t get far because he’d start back up. Came home & called the dr thinking I’d broken his arm. Saw the doctor, who popped his elbow back in place. Nursemaid s elbow is easy to fix. I was o relieved that I hadn’t broken it!
Glenda says:
A friends 2 1/2 yr old suffers from her elbow popping out of place. When it happens (3x) already they rush to th ER and they pop it back into place.
Hope Annie’s feeling better!
Hope your swelling went down and you’re feeling better too!
Lisa says:
Sounds like Annie is bouncing back nicely. I hope the appointment with the orthopedist goes well.
It is so hard not to beat ourselves up in these kinds if situations, but are most certainly not the worst mom ever. You are Ana amazing mom and Annie will be just fine.
Jana Frerichs says:
I’m sure you have heard this 100+ times, but accidents happen! You didn’t mean to do it, it’s just one of those things. Don’t beat yourself up. You are an excellent mama!
Susie says:
So, almost this exact thing happened to me when I was Annie’s age. I REMEMBER going to the ER with my dad, and the cool splint I got, and taking my favorite stuffed animal (Doggedy) with me, and I remember thinking the splint was SO COOL. My mom visited me a few months ago and it came up somehow or other, and she burst into tears and told me that she had wrenched my elbow accidentally while trying to put on my jacket. She still feels AWFUL, but I told her that it’s actually a fun memory for me – getting to feel important, getting a cool sling, hanging out with my dad. Annie will be FINE and it was an accident! Little people are simultaneously fragile and hardy. Don’t beat yourself up!
Mikia says:
I pulled my 3 year-old’s elbow out of its socket when he threw himself to the ground in a tantrum one time. It was awful. I was sure I had broken his arm and he was going to be scarred forever and I was going to get arrested for child abuse, etc. etc. We walked into urgent care, they immediately diagnosed nursemaid’s elbow, and popped it back into place in a second. He was totally fine, but I am still traumatized. Hang in there!
Trish says:
Hi Heather,
I am a regular reader, but rarely comment. Through a brief read of the comments, it seems as though we all think we are doctors
But in all seriousness, it does sound like a dislocated radial head (the smaller of the two bones in the forearm. It is super common in kids, and they often only complain while being moved or touched….until it is back in place (and then all is well again!)
I can only imagine you feel awful, but in all reality, you love your children like no other, and were in the midst of a fun mommy moment. Please don’t be too hard on yourself. You and Mike are fantastic parents.
All the best with the duration of your pregnancy. I am at 27 weeks myself, was incredibly ill through 21 weeks (feel lucky it actually ended!) and I too have a blood clotting disorder that sees me “shooting up” each night. It is an incredible ride that is not fun most days, but will be so worth it in 13 more weeks!
Trish
Sara says:
Oh no! Poor Annie and poor you! I know you probably feel terrible about it now, but they’re always over it long before you are. Plus, she’ll probably love to use this story against you when she’s a teenager… You’re a good Mom. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
Elissa says:
We had 2 different ER trips with out oldest when she was little for what they called “Nurses Elbow”. The first time we were having breakfast on a outdoor patio and my little one started to run toward the street. I grabbed her arm and she cried. When we realized that she was not moving her arm we took her to the ER. It was the easiest fix and she was back to normal within hours!
Marisa says:
I know how you feel all too well. This past fall I pushed my daughter right off the swings and she fractured her wrist. I felt horrible and still do. She told everyone that asked, that her mommy pushed her off the swings. All the doctors and nurses said that was common. I am not sure if they were telling me that to make me feel better or if it is actually true.
kristin says:
Did the doctors consider if it was nurse maid’s elbow/dislocated elbow? It’s common in kids her age. It happened to my daughter for the first time at 9 months at daycare (and yes a social worker was summoned to the ER because it is NOT common for that to happen in an infant). To this day we do not know what happened, but she never spent another day in that daycare again. We were warned by our doctor that after it happens once a re-occurrence is very likely, up until about age 5. Sure enough it happened 3 more times and 2 of them were directly my fault. Once while “swinging” her as we were walking and the other when we were horsing around. I felt terrible. She hasn’t had trouble since she was about 3 though.
Lenora says:
It was my job as a kid to find the ER/doctors for us whenever we moved someplace new! One of the great stories of my childhood is when I sprayed Lysol in my eyes! I’m sure Annie is fine and loved all of the attention.
Sarah says:
Heather. Annie’s accident happened whilst you were LOVING ON HER. That most certainly does not make you the worst mother in the world. It doesn’t even put you in the top gazillion.
Sarah says:
Holy shamoly. Can I just specify I meant, you’re not in the Top Gazillion Bad Mothers. Not the other way that could have sounded.
Jen says:
oh man. We have been going through this same thing with Audrey about her foot! She took a tumble down the last few stairs almost 2 weeks ago, then wouldn’t walk on her foot for 2 days. Xrays (same issue with the fracture not necessarily showing up on kids this age, weird, right???) So she’s in a boot. Not even 2.5 years old. And I’m 32 weeks pregnant. gah! It’s easier now that she’s decided that walking on the boot is fine (took her 4-5 days to get the hang of it so I had to carry her butt everywhere!) We go back this week for another set of xrays to see what’s up. I hope Annie heals quickly! Poor little stinkers!
MichelleR says:
My husband was playing with our daughter last year…until she started crying in pain saying her arm hurt. She wouldn’t use it and was in a lot of pain so we took her to the ER. The ER doc took a look and figured out right away that her elbow had just popped out of socket. He manipulated it back into place and she was perfectly fine after that! Thankfully, no xrays needed. The doc said they call it nursemaid’s elbow and it is sooooo common in toddlers. My husband felt TERRIBLE about it. Glad to hear Annie is okay!
NotSoCranky says:
You are a GREAT mum! I broke my arms – yes ARMS twice! Once was when my Pa was swinging me around and he broke BOTH of them. We lived an hour from a hospital. Then I climbed a ladder onto the roof to see what my dad was doing and we both fell off the roof. I broke an arm, dad broke ribs and his leg.
Emily says:
I feel YOUR pain. I was babysitting my 3 year old niece while my sis and bro-in-law where out of town…like half way across the country out of town. Long story short – a) 3 year old roll out of bed at 5 a.m. – check, b) first trip to the ER for said 3 year old – check, c) me taking her to an ER in a big city I’m not familiar with – check, d) broken collar bone on my watch – check. She did great in the ER, I was shaking like a leaf from adrenylin – no doctor, this is not my child, but I do have an insurance card, and i forgot the note at home that says i can seek medical treatment for my niece. good times.
memphislis says:
Since the comments have several confessions I thought I would add mine. When Emma was freshly 1 year old, I strapped her tightly (as always, such a careful mama) into her car seat and left. I took a hard right out of the neighborhood and heard a thud. I had strapped the kid in, but not the seat! She was hanging almost upside down in her tipped-over seat. Wow.
em says:
OUCH. But please, do not feel to guilty. My dad’s first experience watching newly walking me by himslelf? I walked off the edge of our porch and earned myself 4 stiches.
My friend’s aunt grabbed her 4 year old by the arm to keep him from running into traffic… dislocated shoulder
She’ll bounce right back, and then when she has kids of her own and is nevous about hurting them, you can tell her all about how you sprained her elbow when she was little
twingles says:
Find an ortho urgent care, you won’t regret it – especially with a boy on the way. Copay is probably less than an ER and they are much faster.
Glad she’s OK. That little tiny sling is the cutest/saddest thing ever.
Keri says:
Don’t feel bad, I think every parent injures their child at one point or another. My husband shut my son’s hand in the car door and the grill cover (luckily, not on) all in one day! And my dad shut my finger in the sliding glass door during our family Easter egg hunt, just a few weeks after my mom pulled my elbow out-of-socket while swinging me around. Your story did make me laugh though, thinking of how Annie loved the splint and all the attention. My daughter (a few months younger) would act the same way. Hope you both feel better soon!
Auntie_M says:
Oh!!! My heart was breaking for both of you…but (after seeing Annie’s pictures) I felt more sorry for you Heather! Poor mama!! My mom accidentally dislocated my sister’s shoulder when she was Annie’s age (she was trying to run into a busy street) and 30+ years later, I still don’t think my mom has recovered! Mainly because it took them about 3the hours to get the shoulder to pop back in!!
Annie with that little sling!! Oh my goodness!! T’would break tour heart but for her big proud smiles!!
So glad she is doing well!!! Kisses to the brave girl!
Heather says:
One of our daughters & our son both had Nursemaid’s elbow when they were little kids. It is the most common injury in kids that age.
Our pediatrician showed my husband how to” pop” there ligament back into place. We just had to be careful with swinging them around by only holding their hands.
Praying for all of you!
Lora says:
Awww, don’t feel bad! My daughter broke her elbow falling off a bench at our kitchen table, it was like TWO FEET off the ground and I was right there when it happened……and I was so convinced she couldn’t have broken anything I put her to bed with motrin and didn’t realize till she woke up in the morning and couldn’t move it that I had seriously misjudged her injury We all have those moments! The ER nurse when we went in was like “Hey, don’t worry. This stuff happens all the time!” when I said I felt so horrible waiting overnight before bringing her in. Annie will be just fine!
(FYI, it is also a terrible idea to EVER go down a slide with your child on your lap. Some people don’t know it but it is like the leading cause of femur fractures!)
Carrie says:
I once was teasing my dad about some issue in my life being his fault for dropping me on my head when I was a baby. His response “which time?” For the record, I’m a successful grown adult who did really well in school. Everyone has accidents- kids are pretty sturdy!
Meg says:
I remember the first time I had Benadryl. Didn’t sleep for two days. Literally tried to run up the wall. I was TEN. My mother was quite mad at the doctor for not warning that some children do not, in fact, become sleepy, but become insane.
Like Rigby was for you, my Rosie is my first (living) child, a four-legged furry one. Last year, she jumped off of my lap while I was in a chair, except her leash didn’t follow her, it got stuck on the chair, and she sprained her hip. I felt like the worst mother ever. I had to carry her up and down the two sets of stairs for a week and I didn’t know thirty pounds could feel so heavy! (She’s now thirty-five pounds, having gained muscle once she stopped getting bigger, the scamp.) My guilt was somewhat fading but she limps a little bit in the really cold weather and AHHHH I feel absolutely horrible.
Meghan says:
I actually had just gotten home from the E.R. myself when I saw she had injured her arm. I however have a hair line fracture in my right wrist. Word of advice, if the signs at the drive thru wild life center says don’t pet the animals, Don’t pet the animals…. Antlers hurt when the slam into your hand. I will pray for a fast recovery for her and a calm heart for you.
Mommy says:
You are an amazing mother! Only a great mommy would cry because their baby was hurt. You are so sweet and loving!
Since we are all confessing our sons of parenting, here goes. Once when my oldest was brand new, I was convinced that I could do it all. I hadn’t slept in weeks, was nursing around the clock, but still insisted on cooking full meals for my hubby and anyone who came over to visit the new baby. (WTF was I thinking! With babe #2, I made whoever visited bring food!) Anyway, I’m nursing the baby, with the hooter hider over him, since we had company, AND I’m at the stove cooking at the same time. Baby decides he’s done and unlatches, sort of kicking his tiny foot at the same time- right into a hot pan. Not scalding or anything, but warm enough to make him cry. Omg, I was hysterical! I threw the nursing cover off, was spraying milk everywhere and crying, “I hurt the baby!” as I rushed his poor little foot to the sink to put under cold water. He calmed right down, and there wasn’t even a mark, but I will feel guilty about that day for as long as I live. So dumb.
Your story is so much different- you weren’t doing anything that was dangerous or careless AT ALL! No need to feel guilty in the slightest.
Don’t you worry, mama! You are an exemplary parent!
Tara says:
Sending you a big hug Heather! I’d feel terrible too but accidents happen. You are such a wonderful mom and Annie is a trooper. That picture of her and her little sling is just adorable.
Laura M says:
First off, no reason at all to feel bad. I know its easier said than done (been there myself) however, I’ve worked in an ER and you wouldn’t believe how often simple things like this happen. I am so glad that Miss Annie is doing good, that it wasn’t a fracture. Hugs
Shell says:
“It” happens. Once when I went to pick my toddler up from the babysitter, he was happily playing in the yard with the other kids, while the babysitter and I were RIGHT THERE chatting. He took off running with a plastic recycle bin, tripped and fell on it biting through his tongue and lower lip. I’ve never seen so much blood in my life. We ice packed his mouth and took him to the Children’s Hospital. After a consult with an ER Dentist and Neurologist, he was deemed fine. With one caveat – he could only eat popsicles for the next two days (damn the luck!). They gave him a shot of Penicillin as a “just in case” and a tetanus booster and sent us home. All was fine the next morning.
Jolene says:
Long time lurker..seldom commenter
Here is my confession…*deep breath*
When my daughter was a toddler (like 15months) she fell down a flight of stairs while I was standing there. *sigh* She is now 4 and remembers nothing. Same house..different stairs, I fall down an entire flight of hardwood stairs carrying my 6 month old son. He went flying in one direction with my hot coffee and I went flying in the other direction. 911 was called, transported by ambulance and…it was just not fun. We are still recovering 2 months later. I know the Mommy guilt. I know. Chin up..
Kristy says:
I know how you feel, when my son was 3, I had gotten up to get ready for work and didn’t know he’d gotten out of bed and was following me into the bathroom. I went to shut the door, heard a scream and saw that he was standing there and had put his finger in the door while I was closing it! Lots of blood made me panic, but my husband got us into the car and off to the ER. My baby had to have 6 stitches, I felt soooo horrible!
Then, a few weeks later we were at the mall, I was probably buying him presents to make up for my Mommy guilt! We got into the elevator, he wanted to push the button, I let him. He put his other hand on the elevator door, it started to close and sucked his hand in! Again, I panicked, thankfully there was someone else in there to help me manuveur his hand out, and once again off to the ER we went! Now of course, Im thinking, Yep, they are going to think I am purposely trying to injure my kids hands! A few Xrays later we found out that his hand was fine, just bruised, and I think I spent the next 6 months wondering if I should buy stock in bubble wrap to wrap him in while he was with me!!
Now, 10 years later I can thankfully say his hands are perfect as he has no problems playing his video games, lol!