Do I say something?

[B00]

I got The Phone Call today at work...you know, the one that sends your heart plummeting to your boots....from school, the one that starts "don't panic but..."

Anyhoo, Mini Boo went flying and landed on her face whilst playing on a scooter during her during her dinner break. I went tearing down there to find her feeling extremely sorry for herself, with a grazed elbow and knee, and her two front top teeth wobbling and bleeding like mad. I was mortified and spent half hour cuddling and holding an ice pack to her mouth. She then decided she was well enough to go back into school- she didn't want to go home. So off she was shunted and I went back to. As im walking back to work, i got thinking about it, as you do, and got more and more angry that a) they're even on scooters a lunchtime, there's 100's of kids there to start with, it's just asking for trouble- right? and b) why if they're on scooters why they aren't issued with helmets and pads?

I'm 99% convinced im going to go into school tomorrow and (calmly i hasten to add!) say that im not happy with what happened and I don't want her on a scooter again unless she's suitable protected, etc etc etc. I don't let her on a bike or scooter at home without protection, why is the school taking such liberties with my baby?

Am I right? would others do this? Or am I over reacting?

(PS- i also going to try and get our dentist to have a look at her, teeth still wobbling but hanging on, but her gums look horribly bruised and swollen)

[ummmm]

Yep....my friend fell over playing chase....her teeth went through her top lip.

Accidents happen...

I'm saying this from the perspective of someone who has broken lot's of bones....mainly from falling, no alcohol involved :-)

[askyourgran]

Please take mini boo to the dentist tomorrow first thing. Let him look at her teeth. I once fell off a high wall backwards (about 9 years old) and loosened a tooth I pushed it back in while I staggered home. The tooth took hold but it was put back crooked, fortunately it was a side tooth not the middle one. Hope she is OK.

[LoftyLottie]

It must be me then. I can't see that scooters are any more dangerous than just running about on playgrounds. I have seen quite a few kids knock the front teeth out, concussed, and with huge eggs on their heads.

(PS BOO - I have contactws you (not about this!)

[LoftyLottie]

"B00

Question Author

A bike's a plaything Lottie, would you let a child, who's been entrusted in your care out bazzing up and down on one without a helmet and pads on?


Answer:

Yes.

(But I am in a different generation)

:o(

[LoftyLottie]

BOO. My son never had pads and helmet as a small child. He had a helmet when he got his first two wheeler bike without stabilisers. Bikes go a darn site faster than scooters. Children can run as fast as scooters and it is very difficult to go over the handlebars of scooters surely.

Times have changed obviously.

[DTCwordfan]

Keep them in at break time learning Latin and Greek and then they can keep up with the Chinese kids. A scooter - a slide into mental oblivion.

[askyourgran]

Little swots those Chinese.

[LoftyLottie]

They start playing the violin at 2 months old!!

[ladybirder]

Have scooters got brakes now?

[LoftyLottie]

Perhaps it was a Vespa!!

[askyourgran]

Run their own takeaways at 10.

[RATTER15]

Ladybirder, I had scooters in the 60s and they always had brakes!!

[DTCwordfan]

They have a lottery at 12 to see if they have won a take-away in the UK or have to work in a local factory making mobile phones, or scooters.

[ladybirder]

Well in that case Ratter I wish they'd use them instead of using me as a stop. Little Bast..... sorry little darling, ran straight into me in the park and knocked me flying today. Mother only bothered about the LD and didn't even ask if I was OK. Sorry straying off topic but just saying.

[EvianBaby]

I haven't read all the posts but as another person with no children, I think you are perhaps slightly over reacting.

I don't really see kids going about on scooters with protective clothing on like they do with bikes and I think it's good your child goes to a school that has the facilities for the kids to play with but accidents do happen.

Your child could just have easily got the same injuries from falling over when running or getting kicked in the face by another child doing a handstand.

[chattykathy]

For goodness sake!!! The school is encouraging the children to be active, out in fresh air, getting exercise and all you can do is complain when your little one gets hurt. I feel sorry for her ( and you) but such is life. Would a helmet really stopped her hurting her mouth anyway?
Surely mini Boo happened to mention she played on scooters and possibly other equipment in the playground? Why haven't you said anything before? I think you should be grateful that your child's school cares enough to supply equipment for the children to play on. With obesity rates among children rising year on year you should be pleased with the school for encouraging physical activity. I'm sorry for the rant, I understand you being upset seeing your girl hurt but stop and think before charging in. I have to say if I was the Headteacher of your school I'd give you the address of the school down the road! I really hope her teeth are fine and the experience ( and maybe your reaction) doesn't put her off enjoying herself.

[MissCommando]

I definitely would have gone in and had a word. Not read through all the replies so don't know if you've posted an outcome of what the Head said. We know our kids will fall in school etc but I agree she should have been protected etc. Hope baby Boo is ok!

[AB Editor]

Scooters in school seems a bit much... I never had a scooter while I was at school, I had to think of many inventive ways to damage myself.

Maybe I am just jealous?

[B00]

to answer chattykathy- no she didn't tell me she rode scooters in her breaktimes, and i didn't think to ask if she did as it never entered my head that is what they might be doing! You're also wrongly assuming i rather she didn't get fresh air and exercise? couldn't be further from the truth. By all means bomb around on scooters if they must- but sodding do your job (the school) and ensure they're safe whilst doing it! I don't think it's really all that much to ask for.

MissC- i've made an appointment to see her head of year for after school today, and she's also booked into thedentist on monday.