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Parenting

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Original poster

Toddler caused grandma to fall

37 replies

user1487365954 · 12/10/2018 22:12

We were shopping and my 2 year old boy was briefly alone with his grandma whilst I went to the toilets. She is used to minding him. He ran towards the escalator and she ran to stop him, missed her footing and fell. I returned and my toddler is stood beside her stunned and silent with medics.

She has dislocated and broke her arm aswell as other injuries.

My lo has extremely limited language but understands quite well.

I have been stern with him about the importance of not running off as it can cause accidents.

How would you deal with the toddler and any ideas how to make it up to his grandma?

OP posts:

Pebblesandfriends · 12/10/2018 22:23

Don't say anything to toddler. Just reassure him it's ok, he'll be traumatised enough and retrospective punishments are pointless with that age. Also, it's not really his fault. He's a toddler. He was just doing what toddlers do. Apologise to Grandma for putting her in that situation but you need to rethink your childcare. It sounds like he's too much for her.

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 12/10/2018 22:27

god, don't blame him! She could have just slipped and done the same, you could have too!

IMO two year olds should be in a pushchair or on reins, or holding hands I know it's not fashionable now, but free ranging toddlers give me the heebiejeebies for so many reasons.

DorotheaHomeAlone · 12/10/2018 22:29

That sounds so scary for him. He really did nothing that wrong and will have had a bad fright. Please don’t exacerbate it by scolding him.

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2 year olds Families General parenting

Ignoramusgiganticus · 12/10/2018 22:30

It was just an unfortunate accident. We had similar. Don't blame him, it may stay with him. My niece still remembers the time she caused granny to have an accident.

cestlavielife · 12/10/2018 22:31

He is a toddler
Not his fault

If he tends to run off you could strap him in pushchair next time you leave him with an older person

tazzle22 · 12/10/2018 22:33

Good reason for having reins on toddlers no matter the age of the adult minding the child. Child is not old enough to understand consequences or to control impulsive behaviours..

Hope DGM mends soon.

Howhot · 12/10/2018 22:34

Toddler is not at fault here. Maybe visit grandma with some flowers but no further action needs to be taken with your toddler.

Thesearmsofmine · 12/10/2018 22:36

Really not your toddlers fault, two year olds do run off and don’t really understand the consequences of that.

I would help grandma out with meals and housework. Maybe a homemade card from the two year old.

madmum5811 · 12/10/2018 22:38

Any grandmas on here if reins not supplied by mum, go out and buy them I did and insist on using them. They can sure move...

FlamingJuno · 12/10/2018 22:38

How old is DGM?

ileclerc · 12/10/2018 23:35

My friends toddler ran up to the gm she fell and broke her hip. Accidents happen.

kayakingmum · 12/10/2018 23:40

I strongly recommend reins. I've got ones with a red ladybird rucksack so I hope my daughter will get used to wearing it and carrying her stuff.

Sinead100 · 12/10/2018 23:42

Out of interest OP, how old is grandma and was she otherwise fit/healthy/mobile?

MrsApplepants · 12/10/2018 23:46

Poor grandma, hope she recovers soon. Try not to feel guilty, it was an accident. Pointless punishing toddler, too young to understand, however, pushchair or reins should be the order of the day from this point on until he can reliably walk nicely 100% of the time.

2isabella2 · 13/10/2018 07:35

it was a horrible accident. I wouldn't say anything further to your 2 year old. I wouldn't remind him of it when you carry on teaching him not to run off as i wouldn't want him to end up feeling guilty forever.

I would help her as much as you can around the house as you can.

I disagree about the reins comments, unless it's something you already do and want to do. I personally wouldn't.

BiscuitDrama · 13/10/2018 07:38

I don’t think the toddler needs dealing with. Perhaps grandma should have been holding toddler’s hand.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 13/10/2018 07:39

It's an accident and the event itself is probably enough to scare him out of running off.

You've already told him what was wrong, leave it at that and get him to take some flowers and a drawing and let that be the end.

Blackoutblinds · 13/10/2018 07:40

Toddler needs reigns.

Grandma needs to know toddler has reigns and a bunch of flowers and a get well soon card.

Bestseller · 13/10/2018 07:40

OMG you can't punish a two year old because granny had an accident.

You reassure him that Granny will be OK and get him to make a card or picture. Then buy reins, if you're going to leave them together again

MynameisJune · 13/10/2018 07:48

DD is 2 nearly 3, whenever she goes to Grandma’s we always make sure we send the pushchair and she has reins from our older neice that she uses with DD. She is fit and healthy but not as fast or agile as she used to be and we don’t want things like this to happen. Toddlers are quick.

stellabird · 13/10/2018 07:51

Runners need reigns ! Simple as that. No point punishing him for doing what they all do at that age - but if he is out and about, reins keep him safe and stops accidents like this.

fluffiphlox · 13/10/2018 07:53

Reins are your friends.

Original poster

user1487365954 · 13/10/2018 07:59

Thank you everyone for your response and advice. Grandma is 65 and healthy normally and used to having him in similar situations. I can reassure you all he won’t be punished for it as accidents happen and agree that will do the hand made card and going to help her with getting shopping and cooking. In hindsight I got complacent as she had him without reins before and should have strapped him into buggy before I left.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:

AJPTaylor · 13/10/2018 08:04

Hope grandma gets better soon.
I bet she doesnt blame him or you!

Poppylizzyrose · 13/10/2018 08:10

Awww I bet he was so shocked

Hope she’s feeling better now, make sure you help her out and look after her while she can’t do things. Don’t just see her the once, go and help and check she’s
Okay throughout her recovery. x

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