Well, we had our first broken bone last night. What makes it so bad is that it happened at 6 and I blew it off. My little one was climbing off of the trampoline and got to the chair, then fell off of the chair. She cried for about an hr and then just whimpered. I thought she was just being dramatic…as girls often are. We did dinner, bath, and then I set them up to watch Doc McStuffins before bed. By 7:40 she was fast asleep. I was sure she was fine… I mean who can sleep in pain? Well she woke up around 8:30 crying that her arm hurt, and then went back to sleep rather quickly. She woke again at 10:45 complaining again… and then I KNEW. Of course this stuff doesn’t happen when my hubby is home…but almost always when he is traveling for work. Luckily I have a few friends who are night owls that were willing to stay with my other two sleeping beauties while I took Maci to the ER.
We got in and out of the ER within three hours, which is fairly quick. The Dr. came in before he ever saw the x-rays and said based on the swelling and lack of mobility he was fairly sure that it was broken. He left for a few minutes then came back with the news. He said that we would have to splint it to allow for the swelling, but that I would need to make an appointment with the Ortho on Friday for more X-rays and probably a cast.
The Mommy Guilt was heavy before we ever got to the hospital, but this news just made it seem so much heavier. I felt like I ignored my daughter when she needed me most. My job as a mom is to take care of my kids. I failed. So after a few hours of sleep, a few tears, and seeing her adapting well…I am moving forward with a new perspective.
I gave her that “feel better” ice-cream that she wanted. I pampered her a little extra today, and I’ve thrown my 1 hr of TV a day rule out the window for her. And I let her sleep with me last night and will again the next two nights whily my hubby is out of town.
Life is too short and this was a good reminder to refocus and SLOW down and take the extra minutes to tune in to my kiddos and their needs.
I forgive myself, I WILL make a better decision next time and this doesn’t define me as a mom, it shapes me and grows me.
I love what you did with the mommy guilt! You didnt let it cripple you and just make you feel bad. You let it shift your perspective! That is awesome. And thanks for sharing the story – I will remember it the next time my daughter seems to be being dramatic, and it will remind me to slow down, just like you say above:)
Hope you both feel better soon 🙂
Honestly, I would’ve done the same. (And I have boys!)
Kudos for always learning. Glad she was taken care of quickly!
I would have done what you did too. As a kid I had a broken wrist for 24 hours before we knew for similar reasons and I am fine and do not resent my mom the least bit over it! Live and learn right 🙂
You’re always there when she needs you most and you always will be. Mommy guilt is not of God – remember that :-). You are amazing – you didn’t wait until the next morning either, so kudos. Love you very much.
Learning and moving on is the best you can do. Nothing gets accomplished by regret. My little was jumping on the couch tonight and I was so worried she’d fall and break something!
Sorry that this happened but I’m happy that you didn’t let the guilt keep on — we as mothers are always there for our children — even when things are unclear =)
Poor baby girl! You are a great mom and this could happen to any of us (and our children). My husband is the one who always wants to run to the ER for everything and I just want to “wait it out”. I would have made the exact same decisions you made…if that helps any. Kids are so resilient and heal FAST! Keep your head up because she loves you, mommy. {{hugs}}
Oh, Courtney – I so know how you feel!! Charlie, my 4th kid, was less than 1 when he rolled off the bed and broke his arm. I didn’t realize it for a couple of days because he acted normal. I couldn’t even tell it was swollen because he naturally had such fat, rolly wrists. 🙁 I took him in, and they said it happens *ALL* the time. The docs at Children’s made me feel SO much better…. especially the ortho doc.
You are an awesome mom! I know that you’re in panic and guilt mode now, but you are amazing! 🙂 Your poor little cutie! I’m sure she’ll get through it just fine!!
Poor baby and poor Mama. We are so good at guilt ourselves, but we can’t.
(For what it is worth my oldest broke his arm while we were out of town on a Friday and all the local clinic would do was put it in a sling. They wanted us to go home where we could get it reset and tended to with the doctor who would see him long term. He was miserable until Monday.)
And you’re right, this shapes you and grows you (and her). Things happen. Clearly you had it addressed as soon as you knew it was serious.
Hugs
Thanks Crystal! I hate “growing” by mistakes, but it’s truely the quickest way! 🙂
Making that judgement call can be so difficult when they are young. Our youngest got nursemaid’s elbow when she was about 15 months old but we didn’t realize until about 3 hours later. She wouldn’t move her arm at all so we took her to the ER. Felt horrible because we had no idea. Mommy guilt can be a tough one… but you did well. Hope she heals quickly.
You did so awesome flipping that mommy guilt on it’s booty! My three year old broke his collar bone and we didn’t realize it for a full day. Oh that mommy guilt just ate me alive. Fortunately it healed really quickly, but man that was tough. Praying for her to heal super quickly, too!
Awww, poor sweet girl!
If it makes you feel any better, my parents waited all day (and into the evening) to take me to the doctor for a broken arm, too, and I couldn’t even lift my arm. My Dad insisted it was just sprained and I would be fine…my mom finally insisted on taking me! I harbor no ill feelings towards my parents and we laugh about it today. 🙂
Thanks for the encouraging comment! Perhaps I won’t have to pay an extra $5000 for her therapy later in life 🙂