Our trip to Idaho was awesome in more ways than one. But what fun would a trip be without a little drama, right?
When Steve flew in to Idaho straight from China, we met him at security with “Welcome Home Daddy” signs. The kids were crazy excited and just plain crazy in most regards – especially Bennett. When he saw his dad walk through he screamed and ran. He was more hyper and happy than his usual hyper and happy self and his excitement was hard to contain. I found myself saying several times, “Don’t do that…stop running…you need to stay by me…” but of course he was oblivious.
As we walked out to the curb, Bennett immediately started straight for the street and we pulled him back. He saw our ride pull up and he quickly ran to it. We pulled him back, however, he did not realize the car was still pulling up slowly to the curb, and he stumbled off the curb and stepped/fell in front of the front wheel. I saw it all happen. It was slow motion, partly because the car was moving so slowly. His leg twisted and the top of his foot went to the pavement and the wheel sat on top of the bottom of his foot. Before the car had time to back up and before we could pull him over to the curb, there was a lady right next to us, on the phone. She was directing us as to what we needed to do and it took me to realize she was on the phone with 911.
I’m not sure where she came from, but she identified herself as a first responder who witnessed it happen and stayed with us until more help arrived. This is where everything became a little foggy. I heard some sirens and it didn’t register until the firetruck was sitting in front of us that I realized the sirens were for us. Bennett was screaming and inconsolable and questions were being asked left and right. I think I explained the situation to at least 6 people and grew more sick every time I described it. The more strangers that surrounded us on the curb at the airport, the more Bennett panicked and begged to go home.
Not wanting to scare the kid anymore than we had to, we declined further help (including transport) and rushed straight to the ER. That was the longest 7 mile drive ever with a child screaming in pain in the back seat.
The ER was quick to address us and his immediate pain and he even received x-rays quite quickly. However, then there was the waiting period to hear results. The pain medication worked quickly and before long he was zonked out on my shoulder.
He stayed that way until they came in to scrub his wound. Not just wash…scrub. No amount of painkillers can mask that pain and he fought it. In the end, I was holding down his upper body and Steve his lower body, as the nurse worked quickly. They brought him a sticker after the scrubbing and he thought it was a bandaid for his “owie”. He insisted we put it on his leg!
The doctor came back with shockingly good news. No broken bones. Even the toe that was standing straight up when we walked in – no broken bones. A lot of ligament damage and road rash but no broken bones. We learned children’s bones aren’t quite developed leaving them more pliable – which saved us in this case. I nearly cried with relief but instead my body just let out a huge sigh of relief. Steve’s body was already in a state of shock from traveling across the world and only sleeping 5 hours out of 48 so just knowing that we could be on our way home was music to his ears.
They bandaged Bennett up, gave him a prescription for pain and we were on our way. It was a long day. I couldn’t help but he filled with joy, relief and complete gratitude at the circumstance. That little boy had angels watching over him and protecting him. Within minutes of being in the car, he was sleeping again and I looked back at him. Tears rolled down my cheeks thinking of how different and tragic this day could’ve been for our young family.
Bennett was definitely not himself for a while after that. He couldn’t walk and he would scream in pain when his foot was bumped or jostled. But slowly his body repaired and healed itself – the body is an amazing thing and we take for granted the miracle that it is. We had to wash his wound each night which was a wrestling match in and of itself and he wasn’t able to wear a shoe for a while. The first couple days we carried him around everywhere and after that he figured out he could crawl around which saved both our arms!
I thanked my Heavenly Father many times that day and every day after that our little guy is alive. Life is so fragile and can change so quickly on us and I was reminded of that in a very gentle way.
Poor Bennett, and mostly, poor YOU! I am so glad he is okay!
OMG – wake up call, Mom. Don't let kids be "oblivious" and "crazy". Hold their hands and make them walk beside you in an orderlly fashion. If you can't do that, don't take them anywhere. He could've been killed. Again I say, OM freaking G.
Hard for it to not be a wake up call. Kids are unique and have minds of their own and more than anything I wish I could muscle my way to have them behave exactly how I demand every single time. But I can't. And generally they're very good and very obedient. But at times the kid in them comes out. And at times, things are going to happen and at that point we rally together and work through it. That's what we did – to the best of our ability. I have a feeling that with the number of kids we have, that won't be the last time we end up in the ER. We all have our agency and sometimes we deal with negative consequences to that agency. The bottom line is we learn. We grow. And we continue to teach and protect our kids the best we can. We're just happy he's okay and healthy.
Oh Kara, that little foot… We can't protect our kids 100% of the time. They will be in situations we can't control, at friends houses, even school and accidents or worse can occur. I find that to be the scariest part of parenting. Loving some person, multiple little people so much and not having total control over protecting them. I'm so glad those angels were watching over him and that he is living and learning.
Sorry to sound judgemental, Kara. Rereading my comment it did sound that way. But I think you nailed it when you said…"with the number of kids we have…" That being said, maybe just take other adults with you when your entire group is going somewhere. You can't hold each one's hand, you don't have 4 hands. I'm sure they are well behaved most of the time. It's that other 10% of the time that is scary to think about. If there are so many kids – "the best of your ability" may not be enough to protect them all.
oh little Bennett! there seems to be one kid in every family that's more prone to accidents and injuries…I think Bennett might be yours. Wish I would have known while you were here! So bummed we didn't get together again before you left.
Poor little guy:( I am so glad he it was not worse. What a tender mercy.
I am glad you posted this my boys always need reminders of why I am constantly reminding them about how dangerous cars are. My youngest had a very close call while riding his scooter up and down our street the other day. He couldn't even look at the pics he was too sad for Bennett:( But you sharing can help other moms out! Thank you!
And I can tell from your blog (not knowing you in real life) that you are a wonderful mother that loves her children and does all she can to protect them! Accidents happen to all of us….weather you have 1 child or 9!
You're doing great Mom! I have four little ones too. My oldest is a girl and I have three boys that are younger. As a Mom I do the best I can to warn, keep on eye on, hold on, whatever. But, things happen, children are not predictable. Life is full of unpredictable circumstances. You are awesome! I don't know you, but it's obvious the love and concern that you have for your children and others. Don't let others get you down by their comments. Things happen that are out of our control and their isn't anything that you could have done more or different to have kept that accident from happening. Life happens, things happen and we all thank our Heavenly Father for tender mercies when things turn out better than worse.
I'm not saying Kara did anything wrong or could have prevented the accident in this instance. There is no way one Mom (or Dad) can truly keep 4 little rambunctious kids safe by themselves. "Heavenly Father" instilled common sense into people so that they would be aware of their limitations, and either not have so many kids that you can't keep them safe, or at least take enough adults with you on your outings so that you can have some extra eyes and hands.
I'm sorry but implying that this mother, or any mother with more than 2 children needs to round up extra adults any time they leave the house just to keep their children safe is so silly. Many mothers have multiple children and go on outings and do just fine. But accidents happen even to the most cautious. I have to wonder if those leaving judgmental comments have ever experienced parenthood or even know the author of this blog. I don't know her and wouldn't ever presume to tell her what to do
Hi Emily – I actually have experienced parenthood – and I know that accidents happen no matter how cautious you are. But to me, a kid falling off a monkey bars is an accident. Or tripping and skinning his knee is an accident. An out of control child who runs into traffic after being told over and over again to stop running, stay with Mom, etc. That is not an accident. That is a child who is being disobedient and that the parent did not have control over. I'm done with this conversation – everyone is saying that kids will be kids and parents just have to roll with it. I don't buy it. Kids will be the kind of kids that the parents teach them to be.
Oh that cute little Bennett! I'm so glad things turned out for the better and that Heavenly Father was watching out for him. Such a tender mercy. I cannot imagine what was running through your mind as you watched that in slow motion!