A Cold Reminder for any parent

**iriegnome** · #1 01-15-2008, 07:25 AM

Last week Wednesday, my life almost "crashed" to a hault. As you may know, I am a very proud father of 3 fantastic kids. They are 13, 11 and 9. As a responsible parent, it is my job to teach my children things like "Don't stick a fork into the wall socket" and "Look both ways before you cross the street".. Everyone parent I know teaches pretty much the same things.
Well my 13 year old son, on Wednesday, was crossing the street after school let out and he was hit by a car. His leg was broken in 2 places. Bone out of the skin (and open Tib/Fib), emergency surgery, 2 plates, 14 screws, 26 staples, 3 days in the hospital, 8 weeks on crutches, 8 weeks of therapy and on and on...
As a parent, we try to do our best to make sure they learn to look both ways, not chew gum laying down, bounce the ball in the house, but when it comes down to it, they have to do it for themselves.
My advice - Tell them you love them every day, tell them to be careful, and hope they learn..

FL Knifemaker · #2 01-15-2008, 07:31 AM

Wow!! Prayers for a speedy recovery.

I have two teenagers, a second full time job

poor_gear_whore · #3 01-15-2008, 07:39 AM

I will be praying for your child as well as the rest of your family.

Jeff.

**iriegnome** · #4 01-15-2008, 07:49 AM

I suppose I should have added, he is doing well and recovering nicely.
Thank you very much for your thoughts.

Barfly · #5 01-15-2008, 07:53 AM

Thank god he wasn't more seriously injured.

Last Sat I was in my driveway and a 6 yr old playmate of my sons wanted to come over and play. He darted out onto the road with me hollering "Cale, stop!" Thankfully, no cars were going by. When he got across he realized what he'd done and broke down in my arms. I explained that I wasn't giving him heck, just making sure he was safe and careful.

fenderhutz · #6 01-15-2008, 07:54 AM

I gave my 2 year old an extra hug this morning after reading this.

Life happens, as a parent you can try to be a good guide.

**WillPlay4Food** · #7 01-15-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriegnome

I suppose I should have added, he is doing well and recovering nicely.
Thank you very much for your thoughts.

That's great news.

My son just turned 3 years old last Saturday. Every time he gets within 10 feet of a street I have nightmare visions of him getting hit by a car.

RWP · #8 01-15-2008, 07:56 AM

Glad it wasn't any worse. That's it, both my kids are going in a stasis field.

santucci218 · #9 01-15-2008, 08:11 AM

i hope the driver is getting some just punishment for being an idiot. whats the word?

disenchant · #10 01-15-2008, 08:16 AM

Glad your son will recover!

It just reminds me that teaching kids how to follow rules is vitally important. Parents who have kids who never listen to them and who never enforce rules for fear of "hurting their feelings" are really doing their child a disservice. It's for their protection!

Atoz · #11 01-15-2008, 09:21 AM

Every parent's nightmare.

Glad your son is on the road to recovery.

This last Sunday as my 9 year-old and I exited a store, he started to run into the parking lot toward our car, right into the path of another. I don't know how I was able to react quickly enough at my age, but I was able to get a grip on him and pull him back to the sidewalk as the driver hit the brakes. I'm pretty sure I was the most shaken of the three of us.

Bryan316 · #12 01-15-2008, 09:28 AM

My dad's childhood friend was struck by a semi-truck on the highway by their homes. He suffered permanent motor function damage, and despite being sharp-minded with razor wit and a great sense of humor, he's so severely handicapped he speaks like a retarded person. We know he's not retarded in any way, but as he hobbles when walking or trying to speak clearly, he's severely debilitated. We think about him, "Wow, what a life he coulda led if he wasn't so restricted by his crippled body."

Your son is incredibly lucky. And yes, kids won't learn or truly understand until it happens to THEM.

casualmadness · #13 01-15-2008, 09:31 AM

Glad your son is recovering nicely. An added note to further make parents more aware...When I was a kid I was at a pool party once with four (count 'em) four lifeguards. I was maybe 5 or 6 years old and could not yet swim. But being a kid and not realizing the difference between the shallow side and the deep side; I plunged right into the deep side (12 ft.) and down I went. The stupid thing is, I jumped right in front of the lifeguards. While I was in the pool kicking and gasping and choking; they stood cluelessly on the deck talking amongst themselves. Of course, this is how it was described to me. The only thing I remember is struggling to get to the surface but going down further and further. Next thing I know; I'm layed out on the ground and someone is doing cpr on me. It was my sister! She saw me going down and jumped in and grabbed me and pulled me out. She saved my life!

Out of literally dozens of parents and probably 20 or so kids of varying ages; no one noticed me flopping around and struggling in the pool, except my sister. Now I had been told hundreds of times to stay away from the deep side of the pool. But in my kid mind, I knew what I was doing. That's how kids think sometimes; regardless of what parents teach them.
So yeah...watch your kids parents.

Captain Chaos · #14 01-15-2008, 09:43 AM

I remember when I almost was hit by a car, I think I was 6 at the time. I also remember sticking keys into the wall socket, when I was even younger.

Valerus · #15 01-15-2008, 09:53 AM

Whoa that must have been scary!!

I hope he recovers fully and really fast!

Stanley Design · #16 01-15-2008, 09:53 AM

One day I was walking through a parking lot on the way home from work, it was around dusk but it wasn't really that dark, I was about to cross a section where cars pull out from and this guy pulls up to the stopsign, looks at me, and I started to walk past. His mind must have been elsewhere because as soon as I was directly in front of the car he hits the gas and slams into me, *pop!* onto the hood I went, I looked through the windshield and the guy looked like he had just pooped his pants and was about to cry, so I laughed and walked of. Strange things happen...

**smperry** · #17 01-15-2008, 10:28 AM

Man, I got upset when my two year old chipped a tooth.

Glad to hear your son is recovering.

Marshall

MonetBass · #18 01-15-2008, 11:14 AM

Glad your son is OK! That's a scary moment for any parent.

The other day I had to get after my 4-year-old son for something, and of course he got upset. After he calmed down, I said "I'm not trying to be mean, I just want you to be safe." He understood.

All we can do is teach them the best that we can and hope everything turns out alright.

Pilgrim · #19 01-15-2008, 11:27 AM

I'm very glad to hear he'll be OK. I was hit by a car on a motorcyele at age 16 and almost lost my left leg - still have a steel plate in it. My parents took care of me for months - especially my mom, who changed dressings every 4 hours for two months. A super mom, and one of the most loving people I've known. She passed away last night.

Take care of that young man and love him and the others every day! It will take him time to heal, but the important thing is that he's still with you.

**iriegnome** · #20 01-15-2008, 12:21 PM

OMG - I am sorry for your loss.
I am fortunate and he is very lucky. On top of everything else, I am now sick due to lack of sleep and caring for myself while I spent every moment taking care of my son.
I never realized what my partents did for me until I had to do all the same things for my kids. My parents are awesome and I am glad I can call them anytime to tell them.