to not like holding hands

[TinkerBellesMum]

Actually I know I'm not, but I thought if I put this here it might get some discussion.

I have treated a few children and my dad has seen many more who have fallen over whilst they were holding hands with their parent. Parents instinct is to hold on and the child ends up with a spiral fracture. For those who don't know what one is, a child's bones are softer than an adults and can twist. What happens is they spin round from their arm which stays still at the hand because it's held, causing the bone to "spiral".

Tink falls over so much that it brought back for me all the toddlers I've seen that have had this injury.

Please don't get me wrong, I don't let her wonder around without holding onto her, what I do instead is get her to hold my hand, I put my thumb against the back of her hand so that I can hold on if she tries to run off, but I'm not holding her if she fell.

yes my BIL dislocated his daughter's arm while holding on to her as she tripped up some steps!

My ds simply had to be held when a toddler in public places, as he was a darter - but we used reins alot. Probably find there are numerous injuries allied to use of reins now!

Interesting post, TBM.

MI told me her childminder encouraged the children to have their hands free so they could stop themselves if they fell over. Clever lady.

That's true edam, you're less likely to hurt yourself when your hands are free. Something I missed from my first post is that the injuries from actually falling over are far better than the injuries to a child from hanging from a parents arm.

HG, my dad dislocated my nieces elbow and wrist from picking her up by her hands - you'd think he'd know better, he's a radiographer!

I had to stop using reigns as she would swing from them. I have a picture of her dad carrying her down the road like a handbag!

Oh, that's like the old line about cobbler's wives going barefoot and doctor's wives dying young... radiographer's grandchildren end up with complex fractures!

Actually this is interesting to know as ds does this a lot when holding my hand but i never knew i could casue him an injury ! I will definately thing twice now before holding onto his hand too tightly and encourage him to be hands free as much as poss, so thinks for the heads up

that sould say Thanks not 'thinks'

Yeah, the amount of "just put a plaster on it"'s that my dad has come out with when the plaster needed was "of Paris"! He does know though that you don't hold a child's hand, he's seen some of mine when he's been dropping me at a duty and still there when we've had them come in. Obviously he can't treat them (but then the only thing you can do is go to A&E) but he can recognise them better than we can.

There's nothing wrong with them holding you VT, as long as you aren't holding them so tight you don't let go when they fall, if they slip through your hand they won't hurt them self and can put their hand out quicker.

omg! i didn't realise that could happen . i'll let go rather than hold on next time. thanks for that!

Good post Tinkerbell, I see what you mean, you coulsd end up doin more harm, ouch!!

That's why I said I make her hold my hand and keep a thumb on the back of her hand, I still have control if something happens and TBH if I dislocate something or give her a spiral pulling her out the way of something crossing the road I wouldn't be as upset as I would be if she got it falling over.

so the 1...2...3...wheeeeeeeeeeeee (swing child by hands in the air) is completely out of order? i used to love that when i was little.

As long as you don't let go! It's when they're hanging from one hand they're at risk. Holding their hand when there's someone else holding the other is ok as long as you know they'll not let go.

Tink loves that game too.