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Original poster

Poll : Is it normal for toddlers to hurt themselves

45 replies

freshstart · 15/02/2006 22:21

Ok. Straw poll here

2 in March.

Is it typical for a toddler to have the odd bump and scrape.

Tripping, run ins with other toddlers, misdemeanours with toys etc

OP posts:
Original poster
freshstart · 15/02/2006 22:35

Kid "I have to admit, if he never had these accidents at home, I would be concerned if he came home with bumps. "

This is what is worrying me most - by all accounts mindee never seems to have these accidents at home.

I can hand on heart say though that none of the accidents I could have prevented at all - unless I carried her all of the time or restrained her in some sort of seat! lol

It figures that she will get bumped more here as she is mixing with other, boisterous kids. We do a lot of rough and tumble games (great fun had by all with the cardboard tunnels but carpet burn ensued!)

OP posts:
ghosty · 15/02/2006 22:35

Ah ... took ages to type previous post so now see that it is one of your mindees ...
Is the toddler the mum's first/only child?

Lonelymum · 15/02/2006 22:35

What sort of insurance cover do you have as a childminder? I can understand your concern if the mother seems anxious about minor scrapes. In my case, in addition to ds2's injuries, I have also had to cope with ds1 breaking his arm twice and his nose once (again in quick succession - those injuries took place in the space of a year and a half) whilst at school, and it never occurred to me to sue the school or even raise questions about the care being provided, but I could imagine other parents reacting differently.

Original poster
freshstart · 15/02/2006 22:36

Yes she is a first child.

I have huge public liability insurance - that alone frightens the living daylights out of me!.

OP posts:
SorenLorensen · 15/02/2006 22:37

I was going to ask that, ghosty.

goldstarlover · 15/02/2006 22:37

FS it's different at home though.
parents may be quite protective and/or have VERY baby friendly house and keep an eye on them constantly.

you can't do this in the same way a parent can at home, one to one with a child, and tbh i wouldn't expect you to. kids DO have accidents and DO get bumps...

Original poster
freshstart · 15/02/2006 22:37

I keep having to remind myself Im a great childminder - I really do think I am.

But think if it carries on I would be silly to keep the relationship going if Im always going to be judged harshly for normal occurances.

Im well aware Im probably blowing it out of proportion and mum is really happy with my care but it has a profound effect on me.

OP posts:
PandaG · 15/02/2006 22:39

Everything you have described is perfectly normal - don't worry! The worst thing that has ever happened with any of my mindees is a cut forehead which needed steristrips at A&E - this happened when mindee was in Mum's care after she had been picked up, and mum was letting her trot about my perfectly safe garden while she was strapping baby in the buggy! Just make sure you document the scrapes thoroughly, you are doing the right things don't doubt yourself.

kid · 15/02/2006 22:40

maybe a little chat with the mum about how awful you felt when she bumped her head or something. Hopefully the mum will follow with 'oh don't worry about it, I know you are taking good care of her' or 'these things happen'

I'm sure you are a great child minder, try not to let this put you off looking after this child.

ghosty · 15/02/2006 22:41

You are a great childminder FS ...
When DS was small and fell over I was pretty precious about it all and used to fuss about it but with DD I have become very slack and am very relaxed about it when she falls over ...
It is the mum who has the 'problem' ... not you IYSWIM?
Could you have a little chat with her about it and find out more about how she feels?

SorenLorensen · 15/02/2006 22:41

I think if they leave their precious only child with you then they trust you, fs. I can completely understand why you feel the way you do, though - I would be just the same.

My friend is a childminder and her 2 year old bashed the 8 month old mindee on the forehead with a Tonka truck - left a huge bruise. She was dreading telling the parents but they said "well, these things happen." And they do.

I don't know that anything anyone says will make you stop feeling this way - it is a huge responsibility and there's no getting around that. But I'm sure you're a great childminder and your mindee has loads more fun at your house than at home where he has "no accidents" (what do they do, wrap him in cotton wool ?)

Original poster
freshstart · 15/02/2006 22:42

The way I see it as well is that yes she may get a few bumps (dont actually think 3 since December is too bad really) but she is also getting lots of great experiences here as well.

I cant help but think that the bumps override the good tho.

The graze on her nose was so slight but looked worse throughout the day as it scabbed and it literally formed about 0.5% of what was a great day - she barely even noticed she did it and has been full of smiles and laughter all day.

We have made cardboard tunnels, turned tunnels into cardboard cars that they then decorated then I raced them round the house in.

Then a friend came round and they all played.

Then we went into garden and drew chalk pictures on the ground.

Then up to the park and long walk through nature reserve looking at animals and watching planes take off.

Stories.

Arts and Crafts

Home cooked meal and good snacks etc

Lots of cuddles and encouragement

Yet feel that is wiped out by the small graze on her nose.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaawd this is bothering me more than necessary isnt it!

OP posts:
SorenLorensen · 15/02/2006 22:42

Sorry, wrap her in cotton wool.

Elibean · 15/02/2006 22:42

You sound like a great childminder to me - homemade cardboard tunnels? Wonderful.
Seriously - DD constantly has at least one bruise on her, and a graze or two. She's 2.1 and not particularly daredevil or physical, either.
I remember being terrified by liability insurance when I was counselling - I eventually got used to it/forgot about it, and imagine the same will happen for you!

ghosty · 15/02/2006 22:43

Can you come to NZ and do that stuff with my DD?

mummytosteven · 15/02/2006 22:43

what exactly has mindee's mum said, fs?

SorenLorensen · 15/02/2006 22:43

Now you're making me feel inadequate...

ghosty · 15/02/2006 22:44

I won't mind if she comes home with a bump or two if she gets to do all that stuff .... I never do anything like that with my kids (too busy looking at MN!)

Original poster
freshstart · 15/02/2006 22:44

I did say that I felt awful I said that I hated it when any mindee got hurt and would rather it was DS than mindee! lol

It seems sods law though that this particular mindee would get all the bumps and my DS and other more hardy children come off scot free. Would happily tell their mums that they were knocked !

OP posts:
HellyBelly · 15/02/2006 22:51

FS, just seen this thread you posted to me and mate, your a fab childminder and stop worrying (as I told you the other day!). This is very normal from my experience (as a childminder too) and you are fab! Did you get that???? YOU'RE GREAT Stop worrying!!! Sorry to be blunt, a bit pi**sed but I'm sure you understand that

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