Anyone else had experience of looking after young DCs while on crutches?

[JumpingJellyfish]

To cut a long story short I need an operation on my feet and will need to use crutches for up to 6 weeks afterwards. They want to do this probably as soon as possible. I have DCs aged 17 months and 3yrs- both are walking but my youngest still needs/wants carried a lot, plus of course there's quite a bit of running about after them. I usually work 2 days a week (seated so not a prob) but for the other 3 days of the working week I look after the DCs while DH is working so am their sole carer on those days.

Has anyone else been on crutches while looking after little ones and if so how was it? Did you need much extra assistance?

Thanks.

Yes frequently. I spend about 50% of my life using crutches, but as such am registered disabled so have a blue badge which means things like going to the shop are slightly easier than they will be for you.

I taught my DS to climb up to my level very young - so he climbed up to the changing station and getting up and down of the floor is a problem. Likewise if he wants/needs a cuddle he has to climb up to me in a chair. He learnt to climb up in to the pushchair. And the car seat. So if possible I would start teaching the youngest one this NOW.

Also before DH goes out to work make sure he has got everything you need in the right area of the house. Before DS could manage the stairs he had a sleeping area downstairs - worth considerind if your youngest can't climb upstairs for naps. Also DS went in to a bed early, again so he could climb in to it.

Also all games etc are played at a little table not on the floor as it's difficult getting up and down.

Use a rucksack rather than a shoulder bag if you go out. Youngest goes on reins (whatever you think) or pushchair if leaning on that can replace the crutches. Eldest holds on to the bottom of your coat. But as you aren't used to them I would avoid going out and get shopping ordered in an maybe arrange friends to come over to help.

But I seriously recommend putting in the groundwork now, especially with the youngest. DS is 2.5 now and he does everything for himself that he can - carries his drinks, plate, moves his step around to reach things etc. He's had to learn from a young age there are some things Mummy just can't do and so we work together to make them happen.

Good luck, hope all goes ok.

Thank you Weegle. I am fairly used to crutches but had a hip replacement aged 19 which solved a lot of my issues and since then haven't been on crutches (thankfully). Unfortunately now other joints that had to bare the strain all those years ago are suffering so looks like there will be a few periods in my life when I need to use crutches again- I timed having the DCs hoping to get them old enough before I needed crutches so they were more independent (when I have the next hip replaced I know I'll be v immobile for a while again) but it seems I need an op sooner than I'd anticipated!

Your advice is very good, will start "training" DD now! She's actually very good at negiotiating stairs (even going down them backwards) so hopefully will still be able to go up and down as our only bathroom's upstairs (and they never let me go on my own!). Unfortunately our house is up 15 steps from the road- we don't have a drive- so think that's going to be tough as they're nasty big steps which I have to hold DD's hand for, so will have to work on that somehow.

I won't be able to drive for 3 weeks so hoping to just do little walks to the park etc. but not sure how feasible this will be in reality.

I take my hat off to you coping with crutches half the time and children. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with crutches!

I broke my ankle really badly when ds was about 12 weeks ended up on crutches for 4 months after just getting rid of them having had spd during pregnancy (you have my sympathies TPMYW)

To be honest I needed ALOT of help - obviously because he wasn't walking and having the crutches I couldn't push a pram.

Couldn't go out - we lived in a tenement flat at the time so couldn't carry the baby downstairs but could just about manage in the house.

I had everything moved into the living room so it was to hand.

Would do a thorough internet shop so you don't have to worry about shopping during the day.

If your dc's can't carry plates would suggest making them their dinners/lunches in a tupperware box with a lid so you can carry from the kitchen without spills.

It is really tiring to use crutches when you first get them and I couldn't really go too far so would suggest that if you have a garden to arrange some toys out there for the dc's rather than going to the park - it could be a disaster if your youngest refuses to walk.

Hope everything works out okay for you.