Horrifying day as a parent

[Anonymous]

Three hours ago we were at a park in Old Town. My three year old loves to climb, and we always spot. As if in slow motion, I saw a big kid violently push her off the top of the monkey bars. She hit her head on the way down, and lay motionless on the ground. She apparently broke a blood vessel near her temple, so was covered in blood, motionless

We picked her up and carried her to the car (bad choice, but we weren't thinking straight.) We took her immediately to the ER, and I took the car home with our twin boys (11 months) while my husband stayed with her. The twins are sleeping now, and just heard from my husband. My daughter has a broken arm, four stitches in her head, and a fractured ankle. I went to the bathroom and threw up when I heard this.

My best friend drove to INOVA to switch cars so my husband can take our daughter home. They are considering keeping her to monitor for concussion, head injury?

I am sitting here, not knowing exactly what to do except anticipate the boys waking up, and making dinner. My stomach is in knots. I can't stop crying. And I am mad at the boy, but must get over that. It was such a blur, I don't even know if his parents saw it happen.

These things happen. I know that. I am just typing away frantically because I don't know what else to do. Can't get updates, as Mark says he is not allowed to use his phone unless he goes outside the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Three hours ago we were at a park in Old Town. My three year old loves to climb, and we always spot. As if in slow motion, I saw a big kid violently push her off the top of the monkey bars. She hit her head on the way down, and lay motionless on the ground. She apparently broke a blood vessel near her temple, so was covered in blood, motionless

We picked her up and carried her to the car (bad choice, but we weren't thinking straight.) We took her immediately to the ER, and I took the car home with our twin boys (11 months) while my husband stayed with her. The twins are sleeping now, and just heard from my husband. My daughter has a broken arm, four stitches in her head, and a fractured ankle. I went to the bathroom and threw up when I heard this.

My best friend drove to INOVA to switch cars so my husband can take our daughter home. They are considering keeping her to monitor for concussion, head injury?

I am sitting here, not knowing exactly what to do except anticipate the boys waking up, and making dinner. My stomach is in knots. I can't stop crying. And I am mad at the boy, but must get over that. It was such a blur, I don't even know if his parents saw it happen.

These things happen. I know that. I am just typing away frantically because I don't know what else to do. Can't get updates, as Mark says he is not allowed to use his phone unless he goes outside the hospital.

OP, I'm so so sorry. I got a little sick to MY stomach just reading this. These things do indeed happen, but as parents we try to pretend they won't happen to us (or our kids). It is a harsh dose of reality when it does. And I think you are justified to feel angry at the child who pushed her-how old was he? I mean, taking your anger out on him-clearly not ok, but don't deny yourself your feelings of anger (and I would also be angry at his parents). It may not be rational, but since I doubt you will be heading back to the park to stalk him, indulge if it makes you feel better.

And you might want to ask Jeff if he can delete your DHs name, if you care...

[Anonymous]

Omg!!! I am so, so sorry for yr daughter and yr family. You are being So strong right now. I will keep your family in my prayers.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry, OP - that sounds so scary. Hope your daughter is home soon and on the mend, and hug your twins tight when they wake up.

[Anonymous]

Can you get your friend or someone else to come watch the kids so you can get to the hospital? I'm sorry that happened. It would be so nice if parents monitored their kids better and taught their kids behavior like that is not ok as this happens.

Hope she is ok.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry, OP. I hope you daughter recovers quickly.

[Anonymous]

I didn't realize I mentioned my husband's name. I am not thinking clearly. Yes, maybe this should be deleted.

Boys are still asleep, but I feel this crazy need to go wake them up and just hold them. But I worry I am a little nuts, and they might pick up on it. They never sleep this late.

thanks for the comments. I should be doing something besides dcum right now. just not quite sure what.

[Anonymous]

Ohmigod! I am sooooo, soooo sorry!! We had a little one fall down a huge flight of wood stairs (no carpet) and did the CT scan/monitor-thing. I know the 'sick to your stomach'/vomit thing. Flashbacks still come 3 years later. He turned out completely fine--but it took me a long time to get over it.

My prayers are with you!

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

OP- I am your neighbor. Your husband called me. You aren't answering your cell, and I don't have your landline. I am headed over right now to help with the twins, so if you are still reading this, leave the door open. You are going to be okay. I am on my way.

[Anonymous]

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

Yeah, where was the kid's parent? Did you see them and their reaction? I understand that you were probably focused on your daughter, but oh man...

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

NP, here. I do not think evil is too harsh; perhaps we could compromise on "criminal".

[Anonymous]

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

Freaking jerk. Children are children. They are not evil! How dare you call any child evil.

[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.

NP, here. I do not think evil is too harsh; perhaps we could compromise on "criminal".

Really? Do you even know how old the child was? Do you think the child was acting like a criminal if the child was like 5? Oh yea, let us charge the child.