Today I organized a playdate at the splash pad here in town. It was over cast and I think it kept people away. It wasn't too crowded. Though I've never been before, so perhaps it's always like that?
G fell twice. He's clumsy. There's no two ways about it. He falls, to my mind, a lot. Though I haven't spent much time with toddlers so maybe he's normal. But today at the splace pad, he fell twice, and hit his head on the concrete. He has an ugly bruise on his forehead (same spot he always has an ugly bruise on his forehead). I never know when to take him to the doc for these things. In the seconds that the falls happen, my pulse kicks up and I'm mentally ticking off things to do before we rush to the ER.
I calmly investigate. I make him look at me. Eyes are not dilated. He's squinting like one side hurts though. Feel along the bone lines. No squirming or screaming. Push a bit on the bruise itself. No screaming. Feel along his head for any abnormal bumps (though bumps are good, in general, because they mean the swelling is outside the brain not inside the brain).
After the second fall, he says he wants to go home. This is where stubborn me kicks in. Many moms - many, many moms - would honor this request to go home. Not me. We're going back out there to play son. And we're not leaving till we've had a good time. He balks at first. Then I splash him with the spraying water. Sophie, our friend, wants to play too. Then baby Brayden is intrigued. Slowly the child who moments ago was crying to go home decides it's not bad at all, as long as I don't run, and play right here.
I never know when to call the doc on these head cases. But I called the nurse today to leave a note, so she could tell me what I need to look for. But I know what to look for. I grew up with Brian, who was perpetually concussed. I checked his eyes again when we got home. He does say his head hurts. I'd imagine there's a headache or soreness. But no vomiting, no lethargy, no head lolling or eye rolling. No slurred speach. No inattentiveness.
I'm reminded of a quote from Fried Green Tomatoes ... "My daddy always said there was a separate God for children." And I don't think there's a separate God, but I do think that children get special treatment, special dispensation. Because they are so special and so innocent and lovely. At least that's what I like to believe.
And I may not ever have the most graceful child, but he is very sweet. And he tries. And when he falls down, he tries again. And I think that's worth an awful lot.
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