By Samantha McConnell
Picture this: It is an easy-going Friday afternoon. Work is done for the week and on the agenda for the weekend are lots of fun activities for the kids and some alone time with the hubby. In the meantime, the kids are playing, giggling; life is good. Then, BOOM. A curious, climbing toddler makes one false move, slips, and knocks out his front tooth. Suddenly, the happy giggly world that was a reality only moments prior is now a distant memory, replaced by bleeding gums, a screaming kid and a hysterical mom.
This scenario is one that is all too familiar to us moms. Variations to the injury are of course endless; gashes, broken bones, buttons lodged up tiny nostrils… the list could go for days. Yet, despite to commonality of emergency room worthy injuries in children, it seems that as mothers we have a tendency to have a meltdown and immediately place the blame for the ailment on ourselves. We weren’t fast enough, we should have held our already filled to the brim bladder for just another seven hours until bed time, or how dare we clean up those dropped crackers. Meanwhile, while beating ourselves up and rushing to the emergency room, we have a frightened and hurting child as well. But, boo-boos happen and it is important to stay calm and collected throughout the ordeal.
In 2011, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 20% of the American population visited an emergency room at least once throughout the year with 24% of that group as ages 6 and under and 16% ages 6 through 17. That is a pretty impressive statistic. Based on the findings of the CDC, and from just being a mother, it can be said that a trip to the emergency room isn’t such an uncommon occurrence. But, it certainly isn’t a fun one.
In the past three years, I have had to take my boys in for upwards of 15 unplanned doctor’s visits with three of those being emergency situations; two of those emergency visits within the last two months alone. In that, I have come to a realization in regards to these unfortunate visits, and although I do not enjoy these emergency situations, I think I have determined four things to help maintain composure in these trying times.
Stay calm
Completely freaking out is a tempting reaction, one that I have succumbed to countless times. However, it doesn’t seem to be particularly productive. Besides, attempting to talk to the pediatrician’s office in between heaving sobs makes it just a tad-bit difficult for a nurse to understand a word of what is being said.
Do not feel guilty
As hard as it may be to refrain from beating yourself up; don’t. You might feel like the worst mother, person and creature on the planet but in actuality, kids really do get hurt all the time. Getting scuffed up is just part of the process of growing up and making mistakes is part of how we as humans learn what to do and what not to do.
Use it as a learning experience
Much like the child who learned that stove tops are indeed hot to the touch and learned to stay away, the same goes for us as mothers. Experience builds knowledge, and knowledge can be taken with us throughout our life. When our child does something that causes them to get injured, we are going to do everything in our power to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Make it fun! Or at least as fun as possible
In the midst of emergency, it can be difficult to think about fun. However, viewing the situation as a glass half-full type of scenario can do wonders not only for you as an anxious parent, but also for the child. By behaving pessimistically, this teaches children to stand tall in the eye of fear and to make the best of any situation. Turning the impromptu trip into an entertaining activity can lessen the fear your child may have about the entire situation and could even do the same for you.