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4yr old with a broken leg, add in a 3yr old with SN & a newborn; any tips for the next few weeks?

32 replies

JustKeepSwimming · 30/04/2011 11:12

DS1 (who's 5 in 2 weeks) broke his leg at school - first day back, was only there 2hrs!) falling over a ball. He's broken his tibia and has a cast from toes to groin.
This cast I think will be on for 4 weeks, then a shorter cast for 2 weeks if all goes well.

I've just had DD (10 days old now) and had a bad tear with lots of stitches so advised not to do any heavy lifting (not sure for how long though).

DH can be at home next week thankfully then will really have to go back to work (and often works away Mon-Thurs).

DS2 has SN and has no clue about the baby or DS1's broken leg Hmm but will be at his SN sch most mornings, collected by bus in the morning & our p-t nanny/his carer will be picking him up at lunchtimes (can see current circs will increase his hours much earlier than planned, hey ho).

We can increase the Nanny's hours temporarily and she is a star but she can't be here first thing or overnight.

DS1 is refusing to try his crutches - though tbh I'm a bit Hmm about a 4/5yr old managing crutches (incl stairs!) so we have borrowed a wheelchair so he can get some fresh air. Though the physios at hosp seemed keen for him to manage the crutches before discharge, DH was fed up & DS1 was screaming so they gave up.
Oh and so far we've had 2 disturbed nights with DS1 sobbing, me crying & feeling awful, now DH has reread the instructions on the calpol & neurofen we've started a more rigid pain relief routine

OP posts:
acebaby · 06/05/2011 10:16

You sound like you are coping brilliantly. At the pick up today, please don't be afraid to just collar someone and ask for help. Once or twice, when I couldn't get a decent parking place, I asked at the school office for someone to give me a hand with DS2 (a real bolter). It felt a bit strange tbh, but the office staff didn't seem to mind in the slightest. You don't want to end up lugging two (or even three!) children down the stairs so soon after having DD.

Having said that, you might be better off leaving one or both younger children in the car briefly. I couldn't ever leave DS2 because he was able to get out of his car seat, unlock the car and put himself in danger.

Good luck!!!

Flisspaps · 06/05/2011 10:25

Wine and Bear

AmazingBouncingFerret · 06/05/2011 10:26

Vodka and lots of it.

JustKeepSwimming · 06/05/2011 12:52

Have to laugh at some of your answers, vodka does look tempting right now Grin

Well we have permission to park as near the classroom as poss, blocking the Head's car in :) though did get looks from other parents when i did that yesterday but tough.
I think I may leave DD & DS2 in the car tbh, as where i'll park is very secure. Though i know people want to see DD...

And I will see if the groundsman is about as he's offered to carry DS1 for me if needed and i'm not that happy with carrying him just yet. Fingers crossed!

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JustKeepSwimming · 21/05/2011 11:25

update - he's got a new shorter cast on now, not confident enough to walk on it yet but he will soon i'm sure.

Sch runs have been fine, teachers helping lots & leaving other DC in the car has worked.

3 weeks left til this cast comes off...

OP posts:
acebaby · 21/05/2011 23:22

Great to hear that you have got through this so well, and thanks for the update Smile. I hope that your DS gets back on his feet soon, now that he is in a shorter cast. How are you and the rest of the family doing? I imagine it has been a trying couple of weeks to say the least...

JustKeepSwimming · 22/05/2011 17:14

Thanks the rest of us are doing fine, DS2 has upped his hours at his SN pre-sch, doing 4 full days as of tomorrow & going there & back on the bus. eek. Not really ready for him to be away for so long but it will probably be the best thing for him. And I can't deny that it's convenient.

DD is doing fine, 1 month old already! She doesn't sleep loads at night most nights but we are all coping on the sleep we do get (well DH gets plenty if you ask me, lol!).

Meanwhile DS1 is convinced the 'chainsaw' that takes the cast off hurt his knee so is refusing to go back for the last appt in 3 weeks that'll be fun...and have to hope it doesn't over-run as his appt is at 10, my post-surgical appt is at 11 in the same hosp!

I'm OK (still on the laxatives though Hmm) have 2 appts coming up for me, 6-week check for DD, appt in 3 weeks for DS1 to have his cast off (can't wait) & lots of appts for DS2 (they always seem to come in clusters) locally & in GOSH. Think DH is the only one not needing medical attention...

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