OK - please will talk to me about dealing with small children in plaster {sigh}

[seeker]

My 7 year old ds has broken his wrist and is in plaster from fingers to shoulder. I've got lots oq questions, but the main ones are how long is he likely to be in plaster? How on earth does an incredibly physically active 7 year old get enough exercise and keep entertained with an immobilized arm? And how on EARTH do I convince my traumatized dp that it wasn't his fault, and just because it was "his watch" it happened in he's not responsible for ds's manic bike riding?

Oh you poor thing. I've been there a couple of times. Not that particular injury -- how horrible that a broken wrist requires a full-length cast. We have had fracture of upper arm (stunt biking) and broken leg (jumping off chair).

It will be easier than you fear. Young bones heal quickly, and when there really is no choice and therefore no point in kicking up a fuss children are so adaptable.

Good luck.

he will be fine, really. the first bit is the hardest but once the worst pain is over and he's used to the cast you will be amazed how he adapts....
the worst thing is trying to kep the cast from getting filthy / wet.... you can get amazing waterproof cover thingy so he can have a bath (google it as cant nb name). def. worth it.

cast cover thing is a 'limbo' - fab !

oh no! It is awful when something like that happens on your watch. I think you just have to reassure dp that you in no way blame him. In fact, the way your post is worded that's blatantly clear to me so I imagine it is clear to him too.

It may be the shock (for your dp) as much as the responsibility and maybe over the next day or so, he'll start feeling a bit better.

It would have been SOO much better if it had happened with me than with dp - I am better at blood and trauma and crying! He was fine while it was all happening and the hospital and everything, and he spent the night with ds - then he just melted into a sad little heap! fortunately I got there in time to go down to theatre with ds -dp would have coped brilliantly if he had to, but he would be in a padded cell by now if he had!

Thanks for the limbo tip - I'll buy one. Keep them coming!

You'll be amazed how much you can do in plaster. I was a little older when I did mine (finger tips to shoulder too) falling from my pony, I was jumping in a 'Chase Me Charlie' (only one jump getting higher and higher, so easier than clear round) 10 days later and riding my bike.

I was going to rec limbo, very speedy delivery service too. DS has just had both les in plaster for 5 weeks, raced around like a demon depite my worries beforehand.

Your poor DS (and DH) I hope everyone feels better soon.

my ds was only 2 when he broke his arm (top bone right on the elbow) He had to have his cast changed every week and the arm mobilised so it didn't seize up, cast was so heavy he got tired very quickly even with it in a sling. You have my utmost and complete sympathy. BTW he fell off a tiny wee footstool on my watch but it was all in the way he fell (did feel awful though as it is aparently one of the worst places to break arm) Definately first few days are worst and cast changes are pretty grim 9well with a 2 year old they were anyway). Have to admit to using heaps of tv and story tapes and also went to the local 2 dollar shop and got a whole heap of bits and pieces to keep him amused. Didn't know about the limbo thing and so used plastic rubbish bags tied at the shoulder

Bumping for more wisdom!

That's a no then!

DS was 8 when he broke his leg and had a full length cast on - we had to hire him a wheelchair. We also moved his mattress from his cabin bed onto the floor for the first few weeks.

He had a Heavy Temp cast on, replaced with lightweight one for 6 weeks, then 3 weeks in a cast with a joint around his knee so he could start to bend!

After the initial shock has worn off it's amazing what they can do in a cast!

Whjen I was 7 I had a full length spica cast from my armpits down the full length of BOTH legs - but I had a trolley I could lie on & scoot around the house on!