How To Help Your Kids After They Have Been Injured

Oh no! Your child has gotten an injury, and they’re seriously upset. Whether it’s a scraped knee or a broken bone, it’s clear that your child is in distress. Now what?

No parent wants to see their child hurt, but many never think about what they’re supposed to do next. We’re here to help you out. Read on to learn all about how to help a child after they’ve been injured.

Someone Else’s Fault? Consider a Lawyer

First, let’s talk about what caused your child’s injury.

In most cases, injuries are no one’s fault. Children accidentally injure themselves all the time. They’re still learning how to navigate the world and they’re making mistakes. It’s all a part of growth!

But what if the injury was someone else’s fault? What if they were in a car accident or were hit while they were crossing the road at a crosswalk? In that case, you might want to contact a personal injury lawyer or car accident lawyer for help. The lawyer will put you on the right track toward getting compensation for your child’s injuries.

Don’t try to handle a legal battle on your own. Always enlist the help of a good lawyer instead.

Assess the Damage

So, your child has been injured. If you were with them when it happened, take a second to assess the damage. This is even more important if your child is young.

Older children are fairly well-aware of when they’ve been actually injured versus when they’ve experienced a small and superficial injury that will be gone soon. A young child will likely cry and potentially even panic even if they have a small cut or bruise.

Take a second to figure out whether or not your child has a serious injury that will require medical care or if it’s something that you can handle at home with some first-aid supplies.

Stay Positive

Try to maintain a positive attitude after your child experiences an injury, especially if they’re young. Children take their cues from their parents. If you panic, they’ll panic too. Try to keep your cool even if you’re worried. Validate their feelings without making them think that they’re in danger.

This can be tricky, especially if your child has a more serious injury. You want to convey a tone of urgency, but you don’t want the child to be in even more distress.

Seek Medical Care

If necessary, seek medical care for your child right away. If you’re not sure whether or not your child’s injury is serious, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. At the very least, take them to your nearest urgent care center. If you can tell that the injury is more serious, you may want to head to the emergency room.

If the injury is minor but you still want it to be evaluated by a doctor, contact your child’s pediatrician.

If you plan on pursuing damages, you’ll need to visit a doctor. The doctor will give you helpful evidence that you can use to support your case. If you don’t plan on pursuing damages, the doctor will help you get your child healed and healthy again.

Make Sure Your Child Rests

Rest is so important when it comes to recovery! Make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep and that they’re not straining the affected area.

Your child should be getting at least eight hours of sleep each night if possible. When your child sleeps, their body goes into serious recovery mode!

You also need to make sure your child isn’t making their injury worse.

Let’s say your child has a minor wrist sprain from a bad fall on the playground. Your child should be wearing a brace (or another doctor-approved supportive device) and they should avoid over-using that wrist. That may mean that when they go outside to play, they’ll be limited in what they can do.

This will be frustrating for them, but resting the injured area is essential. Rest allows the body to heal.

Make Necessary Arrangements with School

If your child is in school, make sure they have everything they need in order to succeed despite their injury.

Give a doctor’s note to the school so your child can be excused from any activities that may irritate their injury. Returning to the wrist example, your child may be allowed to use typed notes rather than written notes because they can’t write with an injured wrist. They may also be able to sit down or walk during gym class instead of participating in activities.

If your child has to stay home, see if there are any at-home options available for them so they don’t miss too much work. You don’t want your child to fall behind in school.

Slowly Return to Normalcy

Make sure that you aren’t rushing your child’s recovery.

Children aren’t the best at understanding their own bodies. Even if your child feels like they’ve completely healed, you don’t want them to jump right back into things. Make a slow return to normalcy so your child can adjust.

Let’s say your child broke a bone and they’re ready to get their cast off. They might want to go right back to playing sports, but the injured body part is weaker than it was before. Your child could cause more damage if they overdo it.

Instead, help your child work their way back up to their old activities. Maybe they get to play for an extra ten minutes for the first week, then twenty minutes for the second, and so on until they’re ready to go back to their normal routines. Take it slow.

Your Child Needs Help After an Injury

If your child experiences an injury, keep this guide in mind! Most injuries are minor and don’t require medical attention, but when it comes to your kid, you don’t want to take any risks. These tips will help you keep your child safe and help them heal.

If you’re interested in keeping up with all of the latest parenting advice, don’t forget to check out the rest of the site!

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