The tranquility of April 2012 was broken, literally, when Evie slipped while jumping off of the cedar chest (no, this is not an activity her parents condone). Her crying brought an abrupt end to the Skype call we were enjoying with Lisa and Will and family. Between her sobs, Evie communicated to me that her elbow hurt. One look told me that it was likely broken, so she and I took a trip to the emergency room. Radiographs confirmed my suspicion, and the doctor scheduled her for surgery the following morning. It was close to midnight at that point, so the hospital staff chose to keep us overnight.
Family visited the following day to see the cool purple cast and to cheer up Evie (who was actually enjoying the hospital stay: private room, plenty of yummy food, cable television, a Wii, movies ...).
Evie stayed overnight one additional day so that she could receive a prophylactic IV antibiotic therapy. As much as she enjoyed the hospital, she was happy to say goodbye. Now if we can just keep her out of trouble (stay tuned for the Feb. 2013 update ... stitches). Where is Super Eden from the Shepard Boulevard Elementary School Safety Patrol when we need her? Oh, there she is, on the street corner.
In the Question of the Month from my friend Alvin's most recent monthly newsletter, he asks, "Have your kids had brushes with disaster? What lessons have you learned about keeping your kids safe that you’d like to share with others"
My crazy idea: have the kids sign a waiver form releasing the parents from all liability for acts of foolishness and the consequences that occur therefrom. Perhaps that would would help Evie get it into her head that she has responsibility for her actions and can't rely on us to hover over her, waiting to swoop in and catch her next time. Maybe then she'll look (or think) before she leaps.
I could segue into a political spiel at this point about government and personal accountability, but I'll refrain and keep this post clean.
