8 Surprising Ways Adults Play Too Rudely With Children
Children, especially between the ages of 4 and 6, love to play rough. Not only can this give an outlet to their endless energy, but there is also a purpose behind it: according to the Department of Child Development at the University of Pittsburgh , it gives them control over their environment and offers a safe space to safely display their aggression. Of course, teenagers don’t know that rough play needs limits and they hurt each other if their parents aren’t in control. But sometimes adults can get carried away.
Alison Toti, MD, an emergency room physician and professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago, explained that many injuries happen because parents think their children are safest with them, so they take fewer precautions. Here are some common but unexpected ways parents can be too rough when playing.
Sliding with children on the slide
There is always a moment when the kid is not sure if he should go down the high slide on the playground. To ease their fears (and avoid a nervous breakdown), parents can put their children on their laps and go downstairs with them. However, this maneuver can result in a trip to the emergency room, as Jill Flanagan, MD, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Atlanta Children’s Health, explained in a hospital blog : stuck. The twist then breaks their leg. We often see this type of tibial fracture.”
Hanging children by the arms
Babies love to get their feet off the ground, and rocking with their arms is the easiest way for them to do this. But this activity can put stress on their elbows, which can lead to a condition known as babysitter’s elbow . “It’s a common injury in early childhood where a child’s elbow is stretched and partially dislocated,” says Dr. Flannigan. “Unfortunately, if it happened once, there is a good chance it will happen again.”
Swing jumping
Speaking of flying above the ground, kids always want to get higher when you swing them. As they get older, they often feel like jumping off the swing and landing on the ground, which leads to broken wrists, according to Dr. Flannigan.
Game “Airplane”
Another way kids can take to the skies is by kicking them up into the air with their feet. But according to Father , children’s play can lead to injury when they fall either off your weary feet or on nearby furniture that prevents them from falling.
Trip over them or fall on your hands with them
A floor littered with toys and children can cause a (relatively) heavy one to fall on top of your (relatively) light child. This helps you stay fit and keep your reflexes sharp so you can fall without your baby choking. You can also explain to them how dangerous it is to grab your feet.
Throwing kids in the air
As someone who tossed his son high into the air only to hear him laugh, the thought that it might be too dangerous was a difficult pill to swallow. But as pediatrician Donald Shifrin, MD, explained , it can lead to a broken nose. And despite what you’ve seen with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , it’s also about balancing babies in your arms.
Trampolines and inflatable houses
An insider reported that misuse of trampolines caused over 100,000 injuries among children in 2016. But if you can’t return your bouncer or refund the deposit on the bouncy house you rented for your child’s upcoming birthday party, at least make sure everything on those bouncy surfaces is about the same size . I’m sorry, but you probably shouldn’t be part of the fun.
And of course some sports.
It’s great to have a catch with your kids, but depending on their age and skill level, you might not want to put all of Justin Verlander on them. Thrown objects are one of the leading causes of injury in children , Vaterly said .