4 Yr Old with Broken Leg

Hang on it will get better each day. My 4year old had a knee down cast a few months back. It will just take time and more time with one skill or new thing a day. How is he sleeping? That was one of our hardest to figure out because she couldn't get comfortable. How high is his cast? Once the swelling goes down ask for a waterproof one. That way he can sit in the bath which helps once the inside of the cast starts to itch. Yes, it's normal to backslide. Picking one goal a day may help. Like sitting in his wheelchair or on the potty. The pain will start to go away soon which will make all the difference in him trying to sit up. Right now he is in overload with everything and once he gets used to the feeling and weight of the cast he will make more progress. Also, since the fall was so scary try amazon for some books about kids getting hurt. Or call your library. They can be a big help.

My daughter broker her leg when she was 3 1/2. Her cast was mid-thigh to foot (just the toes out), and she had it for 12 weeks. The first full week is absolutely the hardest, and it will definitely get easier.

On of the things that helped her was that it was during the school year and she was in a mother's day out program, which encouraged us to get back "out there." And hanging with her friends forced her to move around.

Once you think your son is ready (not in real pain), I would invite a friend over to play. Have some toys that they can play with on the ground together (legos, trains, cars, etc.).

I would also suggest some fun outings where he needs to use the wheelchair or you can't go. Some suggestions include:

Founders Plaza (DFW Airport Observation area)
Explore Gaylord Texan

Fish Feedings at Bass Pro
http://familyeguide.com/Indoor-Play-Areas.html#BassPro

Library Storytimes (they have some great performers during the summer)
http://familyeguide.com/Summer-Reading-Programs-2010.html

Summer Stampede Racing at TX Motor Speedway (only $5)
http://familyeguide.com/Summer-Stampede-Racing.html

World Series Youth Baseball (all next week in LV/FM)
http://familyeguide.com/World-Series-Flower-Mound.html

Texas Firefighter Olympics (all next week in Lewisville)
http://familyeguide.com/Firefighter-Olympics.html

Meet and Greet Soldiers at DFW Airport
http://familyeguide.com/Support-Our-Troops.html

Tour a local business (something that has lots of room for his wheelchair, like Market Street or Costco) http://familyeguide.com/Tour-Guide.html

A couple more lists that may be helpful for activities:
http://familyeguide.com/Free-In-Flower-Mound.html
http://familyeguide.com/Boredom-Busters.html

One more thing... the week that we got her cast removed was also an issue. Because she had spent 3 months with it, there was a strange attachment, and some fear. She wouldn't even attempt to walk on her leg for a day or two, and would cry that she wanted her cast back. I don't know if that happens with a lot of young kids, but just be prepared.

Good luck! It will definitely get easier.

Aww poor lil guy! ANd poor mommy!

It is totally normal for them to get uneasy about moving. Remember he's only 4. Imagine if something like that happened to you when you really didn't understand what happened. All he probably realizes is that it hurts alot and that is bound to make him not want to move around.
In his mind movement = pain so stop moving.

Good news: Little kids heal a lot quicker than us adults. I know it will be hard, but I'd say do what you can to make it easy on him.

Good luck!

My son broke his arm and had a cast all the way up his arm. We got a cast cover for him to take baths. They said it be 3-4 weeks before he could get the waterproof cast. They have waterprrof cast for arms or legs and we got the Dry Pro cast cover. You can find them on the internet. After that we looked up a local Sports Medicine store and they fit him for the right size since he wasn't a adult I didn't know what size. They showed us how to use it. There is a ball you squeeze and it takes the air out and it is air tight. It doesn't not let water in. The 1st time we tried it in the tub, he was so happy to have a real bath, he was able to relax and he said his cast wasn't as heavy in the tub. He also got in the pool and never got wet either. It was a mircle to use durung the summer months and bath time.

At the hospital they wheeled him out in a long red wagon, instead of a wheel chair. He thought that was great and they had a pillow for him. I don't know if you thought of the 2 person red wagon at Toysrus but could help maybe taking him out.

Good luck we also used the pain meds at night to help him rest and sleep and like motrin during the day.

My two year old just got her cast off last week! It took
her almost three weeks to walk in her cast. It was easier to carry her around because she's younger and we used the stroller a lot. Plus she crawled. It will go fast and he will figure out how to get around soon, hang in there! It's so hard seeing our babies hurt :(