Kindergartener with broken foot - school?!

[elmzy]

Ok y'all. I am going to go into labor within the next three weeks or I'll be induced, so of course my 6 year old does a flying leap off the bed and breaks her foot last night. The pediatrician is consulting with an orthopedist about course of action but regardless she's not probably going to be able to walk on it for weeks. Pediatrician mentioned crutches but my dearie is not a coordinated child and I can't fathom her making those work. There are also those scootery things I've seen where you rest one knee on the seat and push with your other foot but like how will she get on the bus? Everything I am reading online about lower body breaks it looks like the parents just keep them home until they heal but I work full time and am in my last bit before mat leave and even at home (which is a 3 story townhouse) I am not physically able to carry her around because of my pregnancy. I am freaking out. Have you had a child break a bone in their foot or leg and how did you get by?

[nicolewi]

Wow, so sorry! I haven't had this happen (knocks on wood). But, a school mate of my kids broke his leg last spring (actually broke it on the playground at school!). The school ended up providing a wheelchair for him to use at school, and they sent a special bus to transport him to/from school.

ETA: the special bus was b/c he needed assistance getting on and off the bus. While his parents could help him get on, the bus drivers/teachers were not legally allowed to assist with getting him off the bus. I suppose this is a liability issue. If he were to fall, they could get sued. The parents weren't able to drive him every day to school so the special bus was the solution.

[momin2013]

Oh man, I have not had this happen but I'm so sorry. Thinking forward 3 weeks...

I think the scooter-thingy would be easier to navigate than crutches. Would you be able to walk her to the bus stop, then help her get on while you have the baby in the stroller? I imagine there should be someone at the receiving end that'd be able to help her off. If not, could you drive her to school while you're on mat leave?

When I broke my foot, I was on crutches for about 4 weeks, but was able to bear some weight on it in a walking boot after that, and was able to get around o.k. until the boot came off. Hopefully she won't have to stay off it completely for too long...? Maybe worst case scenario keep her home while she's using the scooter, then have her go back when she's able to bear weight on it?

[gastro]

She should be able to use the scooter thing. My mom got one a few months ago when she had foot surgery and my first grader played with it a lot and scooted all over the house no problem. It is heavy though so she would need help getting in and out of a bus/car/ steps
Edit: my moms insurance didn’t cover it but it was cheaper to buy one on amazon then rent one through the dr.

[erbear]

Kids can do crutches. It sucks, but they get around. What a pain though!

[jag01]

I broke my leg and was on crutches for 4 months, I also work in a kindergarten room. If it was me, I’d line up a wheelchair. Crutches suck, and a peer running by could accidentally bump your child. As for carrying her, she could scoot around on her butt on the stairs. Stairs are so scary with a broken leg. Gosh, I feel so bad for your DD, and you.

[jag01]

I forgot to ask, will she be on pain meds? Will someone at the school be able to administer them?

[cabbagecabbage]

A walker might be easier than crutches. Maybe?

[CloudBee]

My nephew broke his leg in kindergarten a few years back and the doctor had him rent a walker. The school nurse then attached a basket and bike horn.

[mamaalysson]

My daughter (2nd grade) has now broken her ankle twice, the first time in first grade. Before freaking out too much, find an pediatric orthopedist, if there’s one in your area. They have much better info than your pedi. Both times, my daughter had to stay completely off of it until we saw the ortho, then they put her in a walking cast, and she could hobble. That made all the difference. She also got really good at scooting on her booty. And the good news is that, generally, kids heal so fast. This last time, she was in a boot for 4 weeks and then fine. And if your little does need crutches or a scooter or a wheelchair, meet with the school and troubleshoot all the things she will need help with and how they can best assist her. And, just to throw another option out there, another little 2nd grader had a broken something the same time as my daughter, and she got around really well with a little walker.