"Wendy, this is Miss ______ from The Cole Academy. Zeke was playing by the toy shelf and he fell and cut his head."
"Poor monkey. How bad is the cut?"
"He hit his head hear his eyebrow. It was bleeding alot, as head-wounds tend to. He seems to be OK, but you might want to take him to the doctor."
"Do you think it needs stitches?"
"No, I don't think so. We put pressure on the cut and it seems to be OK, but we wanted to let you know in case you want to take him to the doctor to get it checked out."
"How is he doing?"
"He's doing fine, actually. He's not crying or anything anymore."
"Well, keep an eye on him. If his behavior changes or he seems unusually drowsy, or if you can't get the bleeding to stop, let me know, but it sounds like he's going to be all right."
Was this the right reaction? I don't tend to question my decisions as a parent, but I also know I tend to be more laid back than most moms, particularly new moms. Sometimes I wonder if I don't freak out enough.
Zeke is a typical boy, with very little regard for his own safety. He thinks nothing of hurtling himself head-first off the couch (he'll catch himself with his hands and then swing his feet around to bring them to the ground) and generally races around like a little perpetual motion machine. Sometimes he falls, sometimes he bumps himself, but unless there is blood or a hard whack to the head (and there hasn't been so far), I give him a kiss, tell him, "you're going to be OK, just pick yourself up and keep going," and give him a pat on the butt to send him on his way.
If the cut doesn't require stitches, the bleeding is under control, and he seems to be going about his day without problem, my feeling is, he's going to get some nicks and scrapes, and most of them aren't going to require a trip to the doctor's office.
Am I wrong?
When I read the post subject, I assumed the topic would be the economy. I'd trust your instinct on all Mom decisions.
ReplyDeleteNow there's a a bit of deja vu.
ReplyDeleteMaurice did the EXACT same thing a couple of months ago in school. He was dancing in class, loss his balance (or was pushed by some snot nosed kid), & cracked his head open over the left eyebrow on the corner of the toy shelf. He didn't start crying until the teachers started screaming at the sight of all the blood.
I had the exact same reaction when I got the call from the school's director. Luckily, I was getting ready to leave the office anyway when she called. When I got there, he was sitting with the receptionist with a huge piece of gauze strapped to his head. I peeled it back & well, shit, the boy needed stitches. It was a pretty deep gash. So off to the ER we went.
$50, 9 stitches, & a hole in the ER wall later (yeah, the kid kicked a ginormous hole in the wall...I mean you would, too, if some strange lady was coming at your eye with a needle & 5 adults were attempting to restrain you!), he has a kick ass scar on his head that screams, "I SURVIVED CHILDREN FOR CHRIST ACADEMY & DEKALB MEDICAL CENTER!!"
So your reaction....right on target!
Sherice
:-)
HKW - Sorry to throw you off! My views on the bailout would probably cause many to think I am underreacting about the economy as well -- not that what's happening isn't serious, but I don't believe the bailout is necessary.
ReplyDeleteIf no stictches were needed then no need to get upset.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Josh and I think you're both wonderful parents. Not fussing is best -- I only fussed when you all bled by the bucketful.
ReplyDeleteit sounds good to me, but also, your mom said so. I know your mom. She knows stuff!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Benign Neglect to me. Welcome to the club?
ReplyDeleteI have three and we haven't suffered any real injuries, illness or losses. Or as MathMan likes to remind them "We haven't lost any of you to starvation yet....."
Seems like Zeke is going to be okay.Yay!