Post-traumatic stress

[Sheila]

My 8yo DS suffered a fairly horrific accident at the weekend, involving emergency surgery, a lot of pain and shock. I think the physical long-term damage will be fairly minor, but for now he's still in some pain. I'm actually more worried about his mental state - he's tearful one minute, laughing manically the next.

I can't decide whether it would be better to send him back to school (he could probably manage this physically) or keep him at home until half term.

I'm a single parent and was present at the accident so struggling myself.

Could really use some advice - especially if you've been through something similar. How can I help us both through this?

Thanks in advance - hope you can help.

No experiance but i would keep him home, its only a couple of days.

Hope he is feeling better soon

How awful, I'm so sorry. I hope he does make a good recovery. If you can keep him off and stay at home without it causing difficulties with work or whatever, I'd do it - sounds like you could both do with snuggling up together for a bit.

Keep him at home for a bit, and go to see GP for advice about the anxiety.

Thanks Marne - that's my instinct too. Earlier today he said he wanted to go back, but at bedtime he was crying again and worried about leaving me. He's really not up to it, although I could really use a break and a return to work and something like normality.

Thanks to Zazette and googly too - seems to be a consensus! Anyone out there experienced something similar? Would love to hear from you.

Keep him busy, maybe take him somewhere nice to take his mind off of it.

I would keep him home until after half-term. the accident alone would be enough, but the fact that he has also had an op, and therefore will still have the GA floating about his system (whatever they say I think it take a weeks to fully get over that bit), means that really, he needs to be home in comfort.