Horrifying day as a parent

[Anonymous]

OP, I am so sorry to hear this. I am dreading the day when this happens to either of my boys. I totally get your need to just hold your babies and never let go. A baby died at my daycare earlier this year of SIDS. My son, in the next crib, is fine. I don't think I let him out of my sight from the time I picked him up for at least 24 hrs and that includes naps!

Many hugs and prayers coming your way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just hope the mother of the evil boy saw this happening.

"Evil" boy? That's a bit harsh, I think.

OP, I'm sorry about this. Truly traumatic for your whole family and I trust that you and she will both be OK.

Um, no, I don't think that's harsh. It was a big kid, not a toddler or a preschooler, and they should know better, especially about doing this to a preschooler!
Honestly, after the trauma of this clears up, I would go back to the park and put up a sign asking for anyone who witnessed this and may know the boy to contact you, and then decide how far you want to take this with the boy's family. Otherwise he's going to think he can do this again with impunity to other children.

What if heaven forbid, the outcome had been far worse. Would you just have said that these things happen? No, brutality is not ok.

[Anonymous]

Very glad that your neighbor is coming over. At the end of the day, realize that this is part of being a parent. Kids get banged up, but it takes a toll on you. From your posts, it seems you might be in shock and a little frenetic. Let your best friend and neighbor take over tonight so you can recalibrate and get some rest.

And just know that your daughter is receiving good care (they already identified her injuries and she has probably been fitted with a cast and ankle shoe.) I WOULD recommend that your husband stay with her overnight if they want to monitor a head injury. That is nothing to monkey with, and I would rather be safe than sorry. Not to scare you. . .just want to make sure you know how important this is.

[Anonymous]

The boy's parents need to be informed of what happened, if possible; and he should be taken to visit your daughter in the hospital to see the injuries he caused. I hope to God none of my children ever did anything like this but if one of them did (even if out of thoughtlessness and immaturity rather than any malicious intent) they would be in so much trouble. And seeing the consequences of their actions would be mandatory, as would some serious making of amends.

So sorry this happened, OP. Hang in there. You and your family are in my thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just hope the mother of the evil boy saw this happening.

"Evil" boy? That's a bit harsh, I think.

OP, I'm sorry about this. Truly traumatic for your whole family and I trust that you and she will both be OK.

Um, no, I don't think that's harsh. It was a big kid, not a toddler or a preschooler, and they should know better, especially about doing this to a preschooler!
Honestly, after the trauma of this clears up, I would go back to the park and put up a sign asking for anyone who witnessed this and may know the boy to contact you, and then decide how far you want to take this with the boy's family. Otherwise he's going to think he can do this again with impunity to other children.

What if heaven forbid, the outcome had been far worse. Would you just have said that these things happen? No, brutality is not ok.

Once again, how do you know how the child was?

[Anonymous]

Sad. However, 3 year old on the monkey bars mom? That is not a smart idea at all. You could not have been spotting or had your hands tightly gripped on the child if another kid could actually knock the child off the monkey bars. 3 is VERY young to be on the monkey bars even with supervision and this is probably why.

[Anonymous]

OP, I realize this is of little consolation on a night like this but years ago my brother fell/was pushed from the top of a slide in similar circumstances, had a bad concussion and now is an Ivy-league educated lawyer with three kids of his own. Hang in there. Kids are very resilient. My mother still recalls her own horrifying day and I'm sure you'll never forget this but I have every hope of your child's recovery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad. However, 3 year old on the monkey bars mom? That is not a smart idea at all. You could not have been spotting or had your hands tightly gripped on the child if another kid could actually knock the child off the monkey bars. 3 is VERY young to be on the monkey bars even with supervision and this is probably why.

My guess is she wasn't talking about actual monkey bars.

Thoughts are with you OP.

[Anonymous]

This is my worst nightmare at the playground. I have never seen a kid actually get hurt but know it must happen. Hope the Op is doing okay right now.

[Anonymous]

First, I am so sorry. Glad your neighbor is coming over.

Second, I'm a little shocked at the people suggesting that the boy be hunted down and punished. Or worse, go after his family. How can you even think that the best thing to do is sue the family? How does that help? No offense to the OP, but in her emotional state, it's easy to push the blame to a third party. A big mean kid pushed her three year old. Maybe there is more to the story. Maybe he was behind her and touched her and she fell. Maybe he was goofing off and didn't realize there was another kid. Or maybe, he just made a horrible horrible decision, got impatient and pushed her. But seriously, if the little girl hit her head and was bleeding at the playground, I'm guessing the boy has already been taught a lesson for life. I mistakeny broke my dad's nose with golf club...30 years ago...and to this day I cannot pick up a golf club. Knowing you harmed someone is very deep punishment.

Third. Good luck to you. I know I constantlty tried to balance the need to protect and the need to empower my child towards independence. I know it will be difficult in the future to try to not over protect.

[Anonymous]

Oh no! That's horrible! If it were me I would definitely try and hunt down that kid and parents to let them know what happened so he can really understand what happens when you push people, esp from a height. In a few days your DD will be eating up all the extra attention...

[Anonymous]

My nephew deliberately pushed a small child off the top of a playground, and broke the little one's arm. He was not punished or reprimanded, because he had been diagnosed as bipolar when he was five. He's much older now, and he is engaging in far more serious dangerous behaviors.

If the OP is able to identify the child who did this, it is not necessary to involve the legal system, but it would benefit the child to see the consequences of impulsive behavior and be given a chance to apologize and feel empathy.

My nephew shows no capacity for empathy, and has never apologized for anything. It's frightening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My nephew deliberately pushed a small child off the top of a playground, and broke the little one's arm. He was not punished or reprimanded, because he had been diagnosed as bipolar when he was five. He's much older now, and he is engaging in far more serious dangerous behaviors.

If the OP is able to identify the child who did this, it is not necessary to involve the legal system, but it would benefit the child to see the consequences of impulsive behavior and be given a chance to apologize and feel empathy.

My nephew shows no capacity for empathy, and has never apologized for anything. It's frightening.

Your nephew has an illness, geez. Give the child a break.

[Anonymous]

your nephew sounds like he exhibits a psychopathology way beyond the mood disorder of bipolar. bipolars don't lack empathy. i think he's been misdiagnosed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad. However, 3 year old on the monkey bars mom? That is not a smart idea at all. You could not have been spotting or had your hands tightly gripped on the child if another kid could actually knock the child off the monkey bars. 3 is VERY young to be on the monkey bars even with supervision and this is probably why.

OMG her daughter is in the hospital, would you lay the fuck off?

OP I hope you go back to the park and try to find that boy and his parents and let them know what he caused.