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Dawn Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 11:14am | IP Logged
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I am in a complete state of shock and need to describe what just happened and ask for advice/assurance.
About 30 minutes ago, My 7yo son went running through the house, fooling around, and fell, cutting his head on something, I'm not sure what. I think it might have been a Lego. I have all the dining room chairs lined up in the doorway between the dining room and family room, (I'm vacuuming today), and he ran through them quickly and wiped out. (I know, he shouldn't run in the house!)
Of course he started screaming and when I got to him, his forehead and hand were covered in blood, and there was a very deep puncture above his right eye. It was bleeding profusely and the cut was so deep, I called 911. I probably over-reacted, but I just wasn't sure if he would need immediate action. I applied direct pressure and the bleeding was controlled.
So 5 minutes later up pulls a firetruck, *and* a police car and then a few minutes later an ambulance. Long story short, my son was fine - no stitches needed and they didn't think he needed to go the hospital. My neighbor came over and took my other two sons.
So now everyone's left and I'm still shaking. The police officer asked me if he was in school and I said we homeschool and then I thought, oh my goodness, will he follow up on this in some way? I mean, Jack tripped because I had chairs in disorder and Legos strewn about and the house is way under par as far as neatness goes right now. (Really, it's a mess. Craft supplies everywhere, dishes not done, papers and books all over.) Plus it doesn't help he was still in his pajamas! Will he think that he got hurt because of neglect? Am I being crazy?
I just had to post and ask for your prayers. I feel a wreck, although I am so grateful my son is OK. I know I totally overreacted and now I am probably continuing my overreaction ... but still, you hear stories. Homeschoolers are always under the microscope, you know?
Thanks for listening.
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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Genevieve Forum All-Star
Joined: April 02 2005
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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My dear... what a day! I am so glad your son is alright. I'll be praying for your peace of mind and that nothing would disrupt your homeschooling experience.
__________________ Genevieve
The Good Within
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Lisbet Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2006 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 11:28am | IP Logged
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Dawn, I am so sorry you've had such a row to hoe today!! Glad you little guy is okay though. Head wounds bleed the worst don't they!
I don't want to alarm you an further, but after the things our family battled this past summer, alot of it having to do with homeschooling, I am no loger nieve about these issues. While the chances of anyone doing anything are probably slim, I would suggest that you are slightly prepared. (Not overreacting prepared, just ready in case!)
Have your homeschooling documentation available if you need any in your state. (we have 'excuse' papers from the superintendent) If you are members of HSLDA, have their number posted where you can find it quickly if you need it. At the very least read over this article just in case.
Again, I am SO sorry you are worried about this, and you'll probably be just fine. I was so unprepared when we were involved with CPS, and I know it would've been easier on us all had I known more.
God Bless you and your little guy.
__________________ Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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teachingmyown Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 11:38am | IP Logged
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Dawn,
Don't beat yourself up about overreacting. I always do when the kids get hurt (read:blood) and I am a nurse!
Try not to worry about what might happen. Just follow Lisa's advice and be prepared. Remember, you are not doing anything wrong, so don't be on the defensive.
I will offer a pray for your peace and your little guy's head. You weren't going for Christmas pictures this week were you? That's when we always get our facial injuries, right before a big event or family picture.
__________________ In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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J.Anne Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 24 2006
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 11:39am | IP Logged
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Oh dear. I would gave done the same thing and felt the same way. If the police officer had any first hand knowledge with homeschoolers he would know your home looks exactly how it's supposed to (and my kids are still in their jammies too!) But I agree Lisa, just in case, so you aren't caught off guard. Come to think of it, that is something we should probably all have prepared. I'm saying a prayer for you now.
Jennifer
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kjohnson Forum All-Star
Joined: July 26 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 11:51am | IP Logged
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Dawn, I'm so glad that your ds is ok (head wounds bleed so much, I would have been in a panic too). I will add you to our prayers to St. Lucy today.
__________________ In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
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Becky Parker Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:02pm | IP Logged
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Dawn,
In October I was in the emergency room with one of my two boys at least 4 times (I lost count!) They all ended up being okay but I worried a lot about what the people in the emergency room thought when they checked their records and discovered how many times I had been there. I started praying the prayer to St. Michael and asked that we would be protected from false accusations and further injuries. I know how you are feeling. The prayers did help and remember, there might be police officers out there whose wives homeschool their kids. It's perfectly legal and normal! I agree that we all need to be prepared. Definitely pray though and ask for the Lord's protection, then try to have faith that He will. He called you to this and will be with you.
__________________ Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Dawn Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone. I am calming down slowly, however, I just renewed our HSLDA membership online! My husband thinks I'm crazy to worry about it, but he doesn't read all the homeschool magazines, you know?
Jennifer, I was thinking the same thing - that though it's messy (let's call it cluttered ) it looks very full of interesting things like crafts, planets, maps, books and of course all those gosh darn legos!
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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Dawn Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:20pm | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
You weren't going for Christmas pictures this week were you? That's when we always get our facial injuries, right before a big event or family picture. |
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LOL! No the pictures were taken a few days ago, but we are having a big family gathering here on Saturday for my youngest's b.day!
I just called my pediatrician's office to let them know what happened and see if they wanted him to come in. They said he sounds good as he is (I checked the wound it is so deep it's scary, but smaller in width than a sunflower seed).
I can't tell you how much all your responses have comforted me. What would I ever do without you ladies?
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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Oh Dawn, I just saw this. What a morning! Praying to St. Michael and Jack's favorite warrior, St. George.
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Carole N. Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 28 2006 Location: Wales
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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Oh Dawn, I know how you feel. Head wounds are horrible. But like Lisa said, being prepared is the best policy (I could stand a little of that myself). Your clutter sounds like mine--it is the home of a busy family!
I will keep you in my prayers today.
__________________ Carole ... in Wales
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Martha Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
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Oh dear! First, know that the emergency response you got is normal although I'm sure rather over-whelming. In our previous residence, that was S.O.P. for ANY 911 call. The whole artillery was brought out at a dead run. Didn't matter what the call was. Even if it was a hang up - you got at least 2 cops and 1 ambulance "just in case".
Inform yourself as Lisa rightly suggests.
And be positive. Everyone's house looks like that right before and right after any major holiday. And the worst they could say you were cleaning, a kid tripped, and you were over concerned. Definitely not a description of neglect!
__________________ Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
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J.Anne Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 24 2006
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:43pm | IP Logged
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Your husband is probably right. I know mine always is. And I didn't mean to sound too alarming. I just know I'd be so panicked as well! We have Lego "issues" in my house too. I hope your day gets better, and I'm so happy your son's injury isn't serious.
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lapazfarm Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005 Location: Alaska
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 12:45pm | IP Logged
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Dawn I just saw this! I am so sorry this happened!
But please rest assured that any sane person who sees your lovely (even if messy) home, your beautiful, clean, healthy children, and your obvious concern for them will know immediately that those children are loved beyond measure and cared for with anything but neglect.
Of course there always the chance of that nutcase out there with an axe to grind, but we cannot live our lives in fear of them. Have faith, my dear friend, that God holds you all in the palm of his hand. And as much as you love your dear boy, He loves you all even more.
__________________ Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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~Rachel~ Forum All-Star
Joined: March 29 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 1:01pm | IP Logged
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Dawn: I know all about boys and injuries and over-reacting... we took my son to the hospital once, because he DENTED the wall with his head (he was 2)... our injuries ALWAYS happen on Sundays, so there is never even the option of calling a pediatrician! He was fine... we got the stares and odd looks too, but it is ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry!
Just keep your documentation close, and dont worry about things that haven't happened... Christmas is ENOUGH to worry about!
__________________ ~Rachel~
Wife to William
Mum to James 13, Lenore 8
Lighting a Fire
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stefoodie Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
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Oh goodness Dawn, what a morning you've had!!! I'd have done the same thing, called 911 and worried about the mess later (in fact this is exactly what happened two weeks ago, I wasn't feeling well and thought I was having a stroke, so asked 15-yo to call 911, then promptly changed my mind when I thought of the boxes of stuff and the mess in the living room -- good thing it *was* nothing)....
Praying that your son's wound heals quickly, and that you have peace of mind about all this soon.
But yes, I echo everyone's suggestion about being prepared.
__________________ stef
mom to five
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Elena Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 13 2006 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 1:46pm | IP Logged
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I think you were very wise to renew your HSLDA! I had someone on line threaten me and my kids and I have felt much better about it since rejoining HSLDA.
Glad your little guy is okay.
__________________ Elena
Wife to Peter, mom of many!
My Domestic Church
One Day at a Time
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jdostalik Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 3:31pm | IP Logged
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Dawn,
Sending prayers of comfort your way...It's so hard to know what to do when an injury like that occurs!
__________________ God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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Ruth Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 04 2006 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
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Daw, I will pray for you. I worry about that all the time. I renewed our memebership on-line the same day something happened here. I will pray for you to have peace. St. Lucy really watched out for his eye.
__________________ Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
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kristina Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 24 2005 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Dec 13 2006 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
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Dear Dawn,
I am so sorry that your Jack was hurt and also for the resulting anxiety for you. You are in my prayers.
Blessings,
__________________ kristina
yesterthoughts
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