Carpe Datum

Doug,
I'm in shock. I'm so sorry that this happened to Daniel. And please stop feeling so guilty about it. Yes, it happened, and yes, it was your fault. But I don't know any perfect parents. We all make mistakes, some have more serious consequences than others, but we can't avoid making them. The main thing here is that none of you ever thought that playing in the trampoline with another child could end like this. Daniel will be fine. I bet that this is being more stressful to you than for him. So please stay calm. Everything will turn out just fine. I will be praying for all of you, especially little Daniel. Please let Michelle know that I hope Daniel gets better very soon.
Sonia

I'm certain Daniel is not going to remember this event 10 years from now and will suffer no ill effects long term. I hope he's comfortable, and I hope he's not too scared. Poor tyke. Good for you for getting him to the hospital so quickly, I'm sure that has made a big difference so that more damage wasn't done.

Remember that hind sight is 20/20 and accidents happen. That's why they call them accidents. Good thoughts sent your family's way. Hopefully Cody learned somethying from this too.

Wow, my heart lurched when I read your entry on Michelle's blog. Please tell her we are all thinking about you guys and poor Daniel! He is a trooper and you guys are probably more upset than he is. Hugs!

Ouchie! I feel bad for you guys, but don't beat yourself up too much about it. Maybe a couple of stories will help, maybe not. Time certainly will.

A year and a half ago when Harry had his surgery and was having trouble coming out of it and had to spend the night in the ICU was about the worst thing I can imagine, but we didn't know if he was going to live or die. Daniel will be just fine, remember how fast kids heal.

My co-worker's son fell out of his second-story bedroom window (he climbed up on the changing table which was under the open window and he pushed on the screen. He broke his fall and his legs on the deck stair railing, then hit concrete. He was like 20 months old at the time, and had to be in nearly a entire body cast and looked like hell. It was a rough time for them, but he pulled through just fine and doesn't remember the torture he put his folks through.

Funny to think of all the times I've jumped on my brother's trampoline with my kids.

so sorry to hear about the poor little guy getting hurt. he is such a good kid! Trampolines are not always the safest thing in the world. Most ins. companies won't even insure your house if you have one here anymore. Poor baby! Poor everybody there, but feeling guilty won't change anything, just be glad it wasn't a nick or back tht broke. Live and learn.
((hugs))

Oh, the poor little guy. You guys will be in my prayers.

I have to echo what Liz said. You know I don't have kids so my stories are from when *I* was a kid.

Daniel may recall this episode occasionally but it is more likely that it'll be based on the stories you tell than any memories of his. Accidents are bound to happen and this is, all things considered, not one of the worst that could come along.

Take it from a kid who had an annual summer concussion and who managed to break his collarbone while playing with his mom... That one is priceless because I was sore but a collarbone doesn't flop around visibly... I got hurt before dinner and then sat all the way through dinner (apparently going, "Mom, it really hurts," the whole time). After dinner my dad took me to the doctor where the break was x-rayed and confirmed.

Then comes the fateful conversation where the doc says, "How did this happen?" And I harmlessly reply, "My mommy did this to me."

Dead silence and then another question (apparently looking straight at my dad)... "Does your mommy do this to you *often*?"

I really don't remember much about this at all. Most of it comes second-hand from my mother talking about how she was such a bad parent. I have vague memories that I was upset that I only got a buttefly cast (collarbones weren't hard-cast) and not one of the cool casts that I saw others wear that got sympathy. I might vaguely remember the x-ray machine since they were huge clunky things and you got left alone in the room because of the radiation dose so in theory I was traumatized a bit...

The important thing to remember is that you guys *are* good parents. All the kids know it and will remember it. You'll do the best that you can and the kids will know it and with luck this will be the worst moment you see. But you'll be your own worst critic.

Accidents will always happen. Learn from them but don't stress about what could have been. Go on with life and keep making the positive memories that will stick with your kids.

Don't panic. Don't eat yourselves up inside. He'll be OK.

Every parent has a horror story along these lines where an accident happens. It sounds like yours will be like mine, and no lasting damage will be done. It'll just be a grim reminder of what can happen.

My story is calling up the Poison Control line one Thanksgiving Day at one of the grandparents' houses. Owen had got into the travel bag, found the children's Tylenol bottle not fully screwed down tight (so a bunch of it had already spilled and made a mess in the bag), and drank the rest. We knew how much had been in the bottle to begin with, and could estimate how much had spilled and soaked into the bag. But for those few minutes, ruthlessly describing the situation to Poison Control, knowing no one is responsible but yourself, while providing disciplined estimates for how much we think he could have taken ... and you *just* *don't* *know* how bad it's going to be, and the woman at the other end of the line started off by saying that yes, it could be fatal, can you tell me how much was there....

Rest when you can. Cry yourselves out. Make your changes to your rules and routines. He'll be OK, you'll be stronger, and everyone will be safer.

I'm so so sorry this happened to all of you! Tell Michelle that everything's going to be ok and you'll all get through this just fine. Get as much rest as you can. Kodo and I will be thinking of you.

You know what they say...God always gives you a freebie. Next time you'll know better. Please don't beat yourselves up! I know that's impossible, but try...he's a sweet, sweet boy, and he'll heal up good as new and probably not remember a thing about any of this. I'm so sorry you and Michelle are going through this! My heart fell when I read about it - my twins are almost the same age as Daniel and it seems like our boys are very much alike personality-wise. If nothing else, know that I'm going to be more careful with my kid from now on!! I'm so sorry, guys! Hang in there.

I meant to ask - is he going to have surgery? And how long will he be in the hospital? Poor babe.

:-(

Oh poor Daniel, I'm so sorry. I know he'll heal fast, he's a little trooper that boy.

I'm tearing up over here. Hope he heals quickly. ((hugs)) to all of you.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for the little guy.

No matter how much you do to protect the kids, accidents will always happen. But as several people already observed, kids are mostly made out of rubber and heal up pretty well.

The best thing you both can do for him is keep a positive attitude.

Awe, poor Daniel! *hugs* I'm about to cry reading that. Poor little guy. It must be so hard for him, since he doesn't understand. :( I hope he heals really fast.