Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Pains of Motherhood

Yesterday I realized the importance of teaching your children how to use the phone in an emergency. Let me preface this post by saying that I am okay and thankfully the outcome to this story was much better than it could have been.

It was a typical afternoon for us. I had picked the kids up from school and we'd returned home. We were sitting at the kitchen table working on homework and HIPPY (Home Instruction For Parenting Preschool Youngsters). Tyler, my three year old loses interest fairly quickly. We always do his lessons first. We had completed his lessons and he'd gotten up from the kitchen table where we were working. I was helping Shelby with hers when I stood from my chair to get something out of my reach on the table. As I began to sit back in my seat, I suddenly realized on the way down that I was falling farther than I should but by then it was too late. My chair had been pulled out from underneath me!

I fell on my backside, and I fell hard! Don't worry there's plenty of cushion there. My head is very hard, but unfortunately when it hit the chair that my cushioned bottom had been resting upon it did NOT feel good. I must admit that I was pretty scared. My husband was out of town. He'd been gone since last Thursday. He was in the deer woods hours away. As I lay in the floor, I began to cry. Partly because I was home alone and a bit worried but mostly because it hurt like crazy! It immediately left a big knot on the back of my head.

Apparently Tyler was climbing on the back of the chair and as I stood up it fell backward. All of this happened so fast that I did not realize that there was no chair (obviously) when I began to sit back down. I thought that possibly I could be lucky enough that hubby might have been on his way home and just right down the road. I still had my cell phone in my pocket. I pulled it out and dialed his number. When he did not answer, I cried some more realizing that when I needed him, he was sitting in a deer stand far away. Tyler kept saying that he didn't want me to die. I reassured him that I was not going to die, although I felt like it at the time! Remember on Tom and Jerry when Jerry would hit that Tom cat on the head and he'd see stars or little birdies? Well, I felt his pain yesterday. Those stars and birds were fluttering around my head for sure!

At this time I was still laying on the floor afraid that if I did stand that I might fall back down. Since I could not reach my husband by phone, I called my mother in law who lives about 15-20 minutes away. I explained the situation to her and she reassured me that she'd be right over. Indeed she was, and she brought my FIL with her in case I needed to go to the hospital he could stay with the kids. Thankfully by the time they got here, the bump on my head had gone down a lot (although it was still prominent) and I was feeling better. I did have one helluva headache, though!Today I still have a bit of a headache and my head is very tender where it hit the chair. I realized last night, though that we've taught Shelby how to dial 911, but would she really be able to do it in an actual emergency situation? She did so great yesterday, getting me ice and offering up something drink, a pillow, a blanket, etc. She wanted to make sure that I was okay. I have explained to her that she can dial 911 or hit the talk button on my cell phone twice and it will redial the last person that I spoke to. She can explain to them the situation and they can get help. Just the thought of me passed out on the floor with a 5 year old, 3 year old and a 2 month old on their own just scared me to death!

...oh, and don't worry, Tyler was not hurt in this process. Apparently he just pulled the chair over but it didn't harm him.

12 comments, add yours here:

Desert Songbird said...

I'm really glad you're okay; you had me scared there reading it. I know what it's like to take a fall and have no one around; I took one in the driveway about two months ago when the kids were in school, and no one was out on the street. It was scary because my cell phone (usually in my pocket) was in my car about three feet away, and I couldn't get to it.

Yes, it's important for kids to know how to dial 911 AND tell the dispatcher what is going on; my kids have been trained because of my chronic condition, but then again, my kids are much older than yours. Make sure you run Shelby through some drills.

Cathy said...

I am so happy you were not hurt anymore than you were. Indeed that is scary when you have 3 little kids at home. It is good you are teaching Shelby to call 911. All kids need to know how to do that. Are you sure you are OK? Maybe you should at least mention it to your doctor. I don't trust head injuries.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!! Although you mentioned at the beginning you are okay I could hardly breeze when I read this.

We are so glad you are okay and Tyler is fine, too.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad y'all are okay... I can only begin to imagine how scary that could be. Oh my!

Twisted Cinderella said...

Wow that is so scary. I am so glad you were okay! Take care of yourself.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh gosh tish! how scary... glad it is okay.

hugs, bee
xxoxoxoxoxooxoxox

Linda said...

Good Lord, Tish, you could have been knocked out cold! Definitely teach Tyler how to dial 911, that's all he needs to do even if he does nothing else - dial it and leave the phone line open and someone will be sent right out. We take every 911 call seriously - at least here in CT and I'm sure that your state does, too.

So glad it wasn't worse but still ... shudder!

Crazy Working Mom said...

Thanks, Linda...I will because now I realize the importance.

Sandee said...

Yikes honey. I'm glad you are okay. One more lesson perhaps. Tyler, don't mess with mommy's chair anymore. Just saying.

Good that you are teaching the kids how to handle an emergency situation. I'm just glad everything worked out okay.

Big hug and lotsa lovies. :)

Sandra Carvalho said...

Geez!You did scare me girl!!!
Thanks God nothing serious happened!...
Hope you're feeling much better by now.
It's a scary situation indeed...I usually have the same thought when I'm putting my laundry to dry on my back window (I live in a 4th floor!)...I always think what if I fall down the window while reaching the rope or something?...The kids would be all alone (thou Filipe is 11 but he spends a lot of time at school)....Scary....
xoxoxo

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

Thank goodness you are OK!!!!!!

Travis Cody said...

That is pretty scary. I'm glad you're ok.

Friends of mine have drills with their kids, to make sure everyone knows what to do. They carry out the drills to minimize panic.

You did a great job staying calm with Tyler.