My accident-prone toddler

[kresta]

So you may remember me mentioning Sadie breaking (fracturing) her arm... Fix-It.

This morning, she was running across our living room rug to get to the bathroom for her bath (she's always that excited about her bath that she has to run!). She tripped and fell twice and I guess the second one was the kicker. She got up, but then wouldn't walk and started crying.

With all my kids, I try to not make a big deal when they first get hurt. If they're not really hurt, they'll follow my lead in brushing it off; if they really are hurt, they'll continue to make a big deal about it and then I will know there really is a problem for me to take care of.

So I tried acting like nothing was wrong to see if she would walk to me, and she just would not. She definitely hurt herself somehow. I'm really praying it's only a twisted ankle.

This happened about an hour ago. She was going to go to preschool, but I decided not to take her since she wouldn't/couldn't walk. She just stood up next to me a minute ago, but fussed when I helped her walk to the table to color and said "toe hut".

Question: Is there some reason she's so accident-prone? My other two were not like this at all. Could there be something wrong with her than I'm not seeing?

In addition to feeling really bad that she's hurt, I'm bummed...I really needed this time this morning that she was going to be at school to finalize Halloween costumes for the other two, go to the grocery store, etc. Hubby's out of town all week, so it's a lot harder to just take off and do what I need to. And we all know how much more you can get accomplished when you're not carting your kids around.

[kayce]

I wouldn't worry too much about her being accident prone. Every kid is different. She's what, 2? She is full of energy and like you said runs everywhere. My 2 y.o. has a black eye and nobody knows how she got it. My oldest broke her leg at 2 when we were at a bible study then at 6 broke her arm at the church Fall Festival. It just happens. Just keep an eye on her and if you see swelling or she still won't walk you probably should take her for xays. I know its especially hard when dh is out of town. Hang in there.

[Sharon Kay]

Well based on my experience with my youngest ... she'll probably be the sibling that is the best at sports when she gets older.

My youngest could not walk through the living room without tripping at least once ... constantly had this problem ... even had his hearing and eyesight tested because I was worried about him.

His two older brothers no problem ... run, jump, walk, whatever and they were just fine ... no falling.

Well he outgrew it ... guess his enthusiasm made him a bit clumsy or careless ... HE became the one that played baseball (and first year the coach said wow he is good for a first year!) and played basketball for 5 years ... never tripping or falling (unless tripped by opposing team). ...the others ... nah never caught on to sports.

I would say as long as you have had the hearing and vision checked ... it may just be eagerness prevailing over carefulness.

[MamaBee]

aww, poor thing... my 3 yo is a bit of a klutz, too... since "grace" isn't my middle name, I figured he inherited that from me... but I think it's just a case of being so excited on something... one track mind... and not always remembering to lift the feet.

[Leila]

Kresta, have you had her vision checked? I was very accident prone as a little bit and it only got better once I started wearing glasses. My mom always knew when I needed to go back in for a new prescription when I got 'clumsy' again. The only other thing I can think of is balance issues. More than likely though, it's just childhood clumsy at it's best. I hope her leg is ok!

[knlchevys]

You so don't know I can relate!! If you figure out if it's something PLEASE tell me. My 5 yr old broke his foot in two places last month. So bad they had to recast. Has had it off a week and he crashed on his bike and it's still swollen. I too am praying just a twisted ankle. I'm also keeping him home from school today too. Tell me this though, is it only her or all your kiddos accident prone? Mine all have their own "special issues"!!!

[lauren grier]

I hurt myself constantly.. well I still do ^_^ some of us are just naturally clumsy I hope she's ok!!

[kresta]

Originally Posted by Leila

Kresta, have you had her vision checked? I was very accident prone as a little bit and it only got better once I started wearing glasses. My mom always knew when I needed to go back in for a new prescription when I got 'clumsy' again. The only other thing I can think of is balance issues. More than likely though, it's just childhood clumsy at it's best. I hope her leg is ok!

I've wondered about this. I'm not sure she's ever had her vision checked. None of the rest of us have vision issues, so I guess it didn't really seem like something that might be a problem. She's kinda chubs, I guess most toddlers are. And she still walks a little Frankenstein-like (almost like a new walker, but not quite as bad), so that's what seems to make her fall sometimes. But I guess it could be a vision thing. I need to mention that to her pediatrician.

I got a hold of hubby (on a layover in some airport somewhere) -- he called his Ortho PA friend who helped us w/ her broken arm. He's going to see her at 12:30 today.

[kresta]

Originally Posted by knlchevys

Tell me this though, is it only her or all your kiddos accident prone?

Well, I wouldn't say any of them are naturally graceful, but she is definitely much more accident-prone than the other two were. They have never had any broken bones.

[mummytothree]

I would say since she was running it probably is just natural toddler clumsiness. As long as your not seeing other "signs" (headaches, balance issues while just walking or stand, eye issues (twitching, lazy eye, crossed eyed, rapid movement), speech problem, nausea/vomiting and other general twitchy limb movements) I think you are just fine. But definitely bring it up at your next well baby check up just to keep the doctor abreast of things!!!

I hope you get good news today and it is just a sprain....I can't imagine dealing with a toddler with a broken foot/ankle/leg!!! for both you and Sadie!!!!

[KristinCB]

my husband and i are both clumsy.. it doesn't bode well for either of our kids.

Lily has two left feet and is constantly falling.. and when she falls the entire neighbourhood hears!!! Her pain tolerance is about -5 lol and she hates blood.

Lucas is equally clumsy but (and not sure if this is a good thing?) he falls and keeps going.. lol

[Angie4b1g]

Is she tall? My daughter has always been tall for her age and I swear she's the biggest klutz ever. She's 11 and I swear she can't walk down the street without some disaster occuring. She's just not coordinated enough for her gangly body. lol

[glumirk]

Is she clumsy all the time, or just certain times of the day? DS is 14.5 months, and he gets really clumsy when he's tired and falls a lot. If bathtime is right before bedtime that'd be my guess.

[BrattyMeg]

when I was younger til about 5-6 and got into sports I was tall and lanky and oh so clumsy.

does she still have her arm cast on? when I broke my wrist playing soccer as a kid the dr told my mom that people were clumsier when they had a cast on..not sure how TRUE it is but I was def more clumsy when I had a cast vs when i didn't (I've had a few casts in my lifetime)

[kresta]

She does not still have her cast on, so that's not it. And it's not tiredness either -- like this morning, bathtime was right after breakfast, so she was pretty awake and energized.

I'm not really sure if she's tall for her age. We recently switched pediatricians (our old one retired), so I haven't really had the percentage talks with the new one. She may be tall, but she certainly not lanky -- she's got plenty of chub!!

[kresta]

Oh, also meant to update...

So I took her to our Ortho PA friend. He messed with her ankle trying to get a reaction from her and never did, but she wouldn't walk. They did xays and didn't see anything. I think it must just be sprained or something. She's put a little weight on it and has walked very cautiously (and not very happily) a few times today, so I guess it's just real sore.

Hoping she'll be well enough with it to go to school on Thursday. With my hubby gone, I really really need that time!!

[Coila]

((hugs)) Hope she is feeling better soon! My youngest is really clumsy too. He's 1 1/2. He falls all of the time but also having a big brother around contributes to that...

Hope you are able to get some time to yourself

[kscwgirl]

I have been known to walk into walls.. and doors..a nd desks.. I have my fair share of issues.

My dd is clumsy as all get out.

My younger cousin was the worst... would trip over her own two feet.. but yet.. she is an excellent gymnast and dancer.

[rach3975]

Chances are she's a typical toddler and maybe just less cautious than your other kids were, but there are some things you can look into. The vision check was a good suggestion.

How did she meet her physical milestones? Was she an early, on target, or late crawler/walker/etc? I ask partly because you mentioned her gait and partly because I have 2 very coordinated, very physical children and one total klutz (takes after me, lol). My adorable klutz has low muscle tone and a motor planning disorder called apraxia that makes it take longer for him to adjust for changes (a toy that he didn't notice underfoot until the last minute, a slight shift in balance that another child would adjust for without falling, a cup that starts to slip out of his hand that he can't catch). He was slightly late on all the physical milestones, and he bumps, falls, and drops frequently. In Ben's case he was diagnosed relatively early since his speech was also affected and very delayed (at 4.5 he's all caught up), but I could see how a mild case of apraxia or possibly low tone could just seem like persistant klutziness. I was normal on meeting phyical milestones when I was a baby, but given my general lack of coordination and Ben's history I sometimes wonder if I could have some mild degree of apraxia.

[kresta]

Originally Posted by rach3975

Chances are she's a typical toddler and maybe just less cautious than your other kids were, but there are some things you can look into. The vision check was a good suggestion.

How did she meet her physical milestones? Was she an early, on target, or late crawler/walker/etc? I ask partly because you mentioned her gait and partly because I have 2 very coordinated, very physical children and one total klutz (takes after me, lol). My adorable klutz has low muscle tone and a motor planning disorder called apraxia that makes it take longer for him to adjust for changes (a toy that he didn't notice underfoot until the last minute, a slight shift in balance that another child would adjust for without falling, a cup that starts to slip out of his hand that he can't catch). He was slightly late on all the physical milestones, and he bumps, falls, and drops frequently. In Ben's case he was diagnosed relatively early since his speech was also affected and very delayed (at 4.5 he's all caught up), but I could see how a mild case of apraxia or possibly low tone could just seem like persistant klutziness. I was normal on meeting phyical milestones when I was a baby, but given my general lack of coordination and Ben's history I sometimes wonder if I could have some mild degree of apraxia.

Hadn't thought about all that. Definitely something to mention to her ped. But she was generally early on everything. And her speech is absolutely phenomenal!! She has such a huge vocabulary at 21 months, it takes people off guard, even me!

[MandaT]

My middle child is SOOOO clumsy. She will trip over the same thing at least 4 times in a row. Runs into walls, doors, desks, pretty much anything & everything. She's also our little dare-devil child (great combo right?!?) whose name is Grace. Totally anything but graceful. her name should have been Kanevil.

Hope your little one feels better soon. Having to deal with sickies, ouchies & boo-boos while the DH isn't around makes getting anything accomplished difficult.

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by kresta

Hadn't thought about all that. Definitely something to mention to her ped. But she was generally early on everything. And her speech is absolutely phenomenal!! She has such a huge vocabulary at 21 months, it takes people off guard, even me!

If she was early, then I doubt you're dealing with anything like apraxia or low tone. I hope she grows out of it soon!