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)

[NOX]

I'm with Bednobs and co tbh Boo, I think kids have a right to hurt themselves in horrible ways playing, it's the way we learn what hurts us and what doesn't and is part of the learning curve. To wrap a kid in protective cotton wool does them no favours imho. I know she's hurt and it's obviously not what you want, but I do think you're overeacting and I wouldn't be going to complain if it were my child, not because I don't care ( I do very much) but because I think it's part of the learning process that gives us our adult commensense.

[redcrx]

good luck with the Head, B00.

Little CRX (3) has just come out of nursery with a huge egg on her forhead just from falling when trying to get away from kids who were chasing her. the teachers, although they cleaned up her scuffed face, didnt even notice her head.

[MissCommando]

Good luck, I'm sure the Head will understand that you were shocked and upset your daughter has hurt herself. I laughed out loud that somebody said the Head should point you in the direction of the school down the road!
I'm surprised with health and safety nowadays that they weren't wearing helmets etc.
Anyway, let us know how you get on

[cazzz1975]

im afraid I have to agree with lottie.

you have to do what is right for your family though boo. my nickname as a youngster was miss bump (after mr bump from the mr men because I could trip over nothing) :)

[emmie]

Personally i wouldn't, children do get hurt, and just like adults trip over something innocuous. No one is suggesting that cuddles and advice on safety aren't welcome, but seeing the head seems a bit of a waste.

[B00]

I know the majority of you are against it, but im doing it anyway, lol. I don't think taking basic safety precautions is "wrapping her up in cotton wool" at all. We all teach our children safety don't we? We teach them to cross the road properly don't we? Now im not equating falling off a scooter with getting squished by a car at all, but would anyone's else reaction be different if she'd cracked her skull yesterday rather than 2 wobbly teeth?

Thznks MissC - i will do.

[China Doll]

I go back to 'why are there scooters in school?'... there are plenty of other ways to brain yourself as a child without the extra incentive. I would actually be peed off about that. Like the Ed, maybe I'm just jealous, but you just weren't allowed to bring that stuff to school when I was a kid and I think that's perfectly reasonable.

I was able to get plenty of scars from some fairly robust games of british bull dog and he.

[B00]

Update if anyone's interested :-)

Saw the headmistress after school. Who's apologised for 'the incident' profusely, which was nice, but unnecessary and she's said that they've contacted the local council, who advised them using scooters in the first place to re-assess it after 'the incident' and whether helmets should now be worn or not. Whilst they wait ,they've withdrawn the scootersanyway. She's said that even if the council say its ok for the children to not wear helmets they'll make sure Mini Boo has one anyway.

So all in all, a good outcome as far as im concerned :-)

[MissCommando]

Ah brilliant, I'm glad they were understanding. They prob have to change the rules now your child has been injured.

[craft1948]

My understanding is that they have scooters nowadays as conkers are too dangerous.................

[Dolt]

I love your ironed craft, it's so true. They used to send a diliquants away on holidays to try and reform them, that's what I call irony.

[Epinephrine]

I wish there had been scooters at my school!!
Do you really want your kid to be singled out like that, potentially the only kid in full body protection? Gum shields, helmets, knee/elbow pads etc
Kids already miss out on so much these days, too much time spent stuck inside, running around, having fun outdoors is great when your a kid. Accidents unfortunately happen, I couldn't tell you how many times I fell off my bike etc as a kid.
It sounds like she got over this way before you!

[ladybirder]

Hi B00 I was wondering if there had been any reaction at school to the withdrawal of the scooters, either by parents or children?

[B00]

Not that I know of Ladybirder. There was a newsletter sent out with the kids on Friday saying the scooters had been withdrawn until they hear back from the education board.

I did speak to a few of the mums and most of them were also unaware that scooters were even allowed in the first place and were equally shocked that protective gear wasn't issued.

[Ankou]

so the kids lose the scooters as the school can't afford bubble wrap and cotton wool protectors.

no playing on the grass. no conkers. no kiss chase. no ball games.

job done. best off keeping them indoors playing x box (or similar)

[B00]

They have helmets Ankou, which is even more baffling. They use them when they're doing their cycle proficiency tests.

The explanation given to me was was that there's only so many helmets and so little time, it'll take longer if they've to put helmets on each child. I'm sorry, but safety for children shouldn't be an inconvenience. I'm not bothered about them riding scooters, but I fully expect them to take preventable accident precautions when necessary.

I honestly don't care if im a killjoy, it's way better than what the outcome can be of another child falls off and seriously hurts themselves whilst in their care.

[Ankou]

"safety for children shouldn't be an inconvenience"

quite right. so they have removed the scooters. no scootering allowed.

[B00]

Job's a good 'un then Ankou :-)

[B00]

Further update!!!

School have decided to make sure each child wears helmets when they're on the scooters at lunchtime. Yay!!

[cazzz1975]

thats great news boo!