By: Jenna Mallory
My daughter was the first in our family to break a bone, though honestly, I wasn’t shocked. She’s always been my little thrill-seeker, so it was only a matter of time before something wild occurred. The incident happened during gymnastics on the trampoline—she later described attempting a donkey kick and landing awkwardly with her arms hyperextended. I’m actually relieved I wasn’t there to witness it; I might have fainted!
Just a few hours later, she found herself in a splint and sling, awaiting a visit to our local children’s hospital. While I never broke a bone as a kid, it seems like a rite of passage for many children. They love keeping us on our toes, inducing mini panic attacks to make sure we stay on high alert. The odds are that one of your kids will break a bone too—possibly more than once if luck isn’t on your side.
Adjusting to a New Routine
What caught us off guard was how we had to completely adjust her daily life. As a self-sufficient 10-year-old, I was used to her independence. Thankfully, it wasn’t her dominant hand that got injured, or I would have been on bathroom duty too! But, her normal routine was disrupted, as was mine. No more piano lessons or gymnastics, and while she could still tackle her schoolwork, we had to strategize around showering. Suddenly, I found myself helping her bathe again, which was less than fun for both of us. She’s sensitive about her hair, and like most tweens, she wasn’t accustomed to my enthusiastic scrubbing.
We discovered she only had to wear the cast for three weeks. While parenting can often be a test of patience, I found that you can survive almost anything for a mere three weeks—except maybe a lice outbreak or norovirus. Fortunately, we were mostly inconvenienced, but for many families, a break can be more severe or affect a dominant limb, making life considerably tougher.
Dealing with Boredom
Boredom will be a constant companion. Just our luck, we had recently gotten a trampoline for Christmas, which was now strictly off-limits. Your child will probably whine about being bored, and let’s be real, they tend to do that anyway. Keeping them entertained can feel like a part-time job even without an injury. Don’t stress too much when you hear “Mom, I’m bored!”—they’d say it even if they weren’t in a cast. Stock up on movies, books, and maybe a fresh coloring book or some games for their tablet. A trip to the local library is a perfect way to gather activities for those couch-bound days and remind them that reading can be more enriching than hours of Minecraft.
Caring for the Cast
Caring for the cast isn’t as daunting as you might think. I expected a total nightmare, but it was surprisingly manageable. After years of awkwardly trying to keep casts dry during baths, the medical field finally realized parents needed a break. Many casts are waterproof now, so while we kept hers dry for showers (who has three hours to let a cast dry?), we managed with a simple grocery bag wrapped around it for bath time. She learned to bathe herself with minimal help, which was a relief.
Kids might struggle with itching and may be tempted to shove something down their cast to scratch the itch, so it’s wise to hide anything sharp around the house. The last thing you want is for your child to use a skewer and risk infecting their already broken limb. Consider teaching your child about deep breathing as a coping mechanism when that itch becomes unbearable.
Sleep and Recovery
Initially, sleep will be uncomfortable. Expect your child to let you know at 2 a.m. how much they’re suffering. As you suppress a smile thinking about how they kept you awake during pregnancy, you might find the giant body pillow you stashed away can help them get comfortable again. They’ll figure it out eventually.
When the cast finally comes off, don’t jump for joy too soon. After being immobile for weeks, their arm or leg will be sore and stiff, meaning you won’t get immediate relief from your worries. My daughter took several days to regain full movement. She even nearly fainted when the cast was removed, which surprised me. The doctor assured me this is common; it’s strange to see a cast lying there like a piece of them. Thankfully, with some apple juice on hand, she survived the experience.
Finding the Silver Lining
In the end, our situation was fairly minor, and having a cast wasn’t as dreadful as I had imagined. There were some unexpected perks, like the extra attention from friends and family and the chance for her to have boys carry her things at school. Who could blame her for taking advantage of that? Plus, I now have three weeks of her dependence to leverage in future negotiations. So, perhaps it wasn’t so bad after all.
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In summary, while a broken bone can be a hassle, it’s manageable with the right mindset and preparation. Embrace the chaos, and remember, you’re not alone in this parenting journey.