#1 item on dd's list:crutches

[leight]

My dd11 has been drooling over casts and crutches since a friend broke his ankle 3 yrs ago. She loves wrapping everyone and every doll in ace bandages and last year's AG request was a wheel chair. So last week she wrote me a note & put it in my purse with a revised xmas wish list.

Clothes, cell phone, legos, computer game- all normal requests all taken care of.

But her #1 is crutches. dd is low average for height so just around 5' now. DH has a pair in the garage but he's used them many times thru workers comp or sports injuries and doesn't want her playing with them. He thinks I'm nuts for engaging in the thought of getting her crutches. I am hopeful that it is something that might lead to a career in nursing- she is soooo good at ace bandages-even doing her own right hand with her left! lol!

I got her a pair of small adult(5'2"+) at good will for about $4. They are in good condition and I plan to put together a medical kit (different size ace bandages, bandaids, gauze, tape, boot & sling) as her gift. Am I nuts? I think this is a creative outlet for her and don't think its horrible- but I do see how unique it is

 

[QVCshopper]

Well, it's certainly unique. I don't see anything wrong with it, if it's what she wants. I have to tell you, though, that crutches are NO fun--had to use them after getting ACL knee surgery. SOOOO painful. Maybe you can talk to her about injuries and pain as a learning experience, or maybe she wants to go into a medical career?

 

[robinb]

My dd11 has been drooling over casts and crutches since a friend broke his ankle 3 yrs ago. She loves wrapping everyone and every doll in ace bandages and last year's AG request was a wheel chair. So last week she wrote me a note & put it in my purse with a revised xmas wish list.

Clothes, cell phone, legos, computer game- all normal requests all taken care of.

But her #1 is crutches. dd is low average for height so just around 5' now. DH has a pair in the garage but he's used them many times thru workers comp or sports injuries and doesn't want her playing with them. He thinks I'm nuts for engaging in the thought of getting her crutches. I am hopeful that it is something that might lead to a career in nursing- she is soooo good at ace bandages-even doing her own right hand with her left! lol!

I got her a pair of small adult(5'2"+) at good will for about $4. They are in good condition and I plan to put together a medical kit (different size ace bandages, bandaids, gauze, tape, boot & sling) as her gift. Am I nuts? I think this is a creative outlet for her and don't think its horrible- but I do see how unique it is

First of all, a 5" 11-year old girl is NOT "low average" height . 5" is about 90th percentile for height! That being said, I think a "medical kit" is an awesome gift! My 12-year old loves to play with my old crutches and would adore something like what you want to put together. I would put in some of the fun colored stretchy medical tape too.

 

[neatokimmo]

I think you are a good mama for letting her explore things that interest her!

 

[leight]

First of all, a 5" 11-year old girl is NOT "low average" height . 5" is about 90th percentile for height! That being said, I think a "medical kit" is an awesome gift! My 12-year old loves to play with my old crutches and would adore something like what you want to put together. I would put in some of the fun colored stretchy medical tape too.

She's always been on the petite side so maybe I am just used to it... she is the smallest of her friends but she has had a growth spurt recently which brought her to hover near 5' so .... but then I haven't literally measured her just estimating based on where she reaches on me.

Anyway, we've had all the oh it hurts, people need them for emergencies, its not fun when you actually need them talks. But she just likes them. At the party we were at she found the 'soft cast' her friend had used when injured and she wore it for over an hour. She's not doing anything to become injured she just seems to like playing it.

Considering how nurturing she is with little kids I thought a medical kit with crutches she can actually use would be a hit- dh just thinks I'm nuts. I wasn't going to go spend alot on this- the dollar store has ace bandages and medical tape/bandaids and you can get a boot or sling at walmart for pretty cheap. And $4 for the crutches at Goodwill cinched it for me!

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just one word of caution..... keeo an eye on her. when I was 11, a girl in my class was also fascinated by casts, etc. She actually "fell" down some stairs trying to break a leg, but "only" managed to break her wrist. I know this sounds bizarre, but it is a true story..... She told a few of us what she did, but none of us said anything to anyone, regretfully.

Of course, I would agree this was extreme behavior, and rare. It is a little ironic for me to read about this fascination, as I have a teen who has used a wheelchair once for 5 straight months (double hip surgery, back to back with double knee surgery, no weight bearing allowed). And she has had 3 additional knee surgeries which required crutches.....

But she thought both were "fun" too, until she was stuck using them for weeks and months on end! A nursing career would be great, or a nurse-practicioner.

 

[Patience]

OP, your post reminds me of my oldest daughter. She too once asked for a pair of crutches as a gift when she was about 10. A friend gave me an old pair of crutches and she played with those for about a year. She has also always been fascinated by casts. This year, however, she broke her wrist while cheerleading and then had to have surgery so she was casted in a long arm cast on her right arm for 8 weeks. I think she's had her fill of casts now...

PS: my daughter is a senior in high school now and is considering occupational therapy or physical therapy as a career so maybe her fascination with crutches will turn out to be beneficial.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

Be careful of how she uses the crutches. There is a nerve that runs under the armpit and constant pressure can damage it. Always have about a 1/2 inch gap between the armpit and the top of the crutches. I learned the hard way.

 

[leight]

Be careful of how she uses the crutches. There is a nerve that runs under the armpit and constant pressure can damage it. Always have about a 1/2 inch gap between the armpit and the top of the crutches. I learned the hard way.

Thank you - I didn't know that!

 

[maggiew]

My DD was also fascinated by crutches and wheelchairs. Her American Girl doll kit has both the wheelchair and the crutches/cast kit.

She eventually grew out of it and thankfully never tried to hurt herself like the poster mentioned above!!!

Maggie

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I think it is a wonderful dream she has to become a nurse if that is correct it is a very noble profession. I wanted to do that for a while until I realized that teaching was my calling and I love it

 

[reenie1]

Crutches were tops on my daughter's list several years ago, and I got some for her from a Freecycler and they were her absolute favorite gift! She played with them all the time, and when friends came over that's what they all wanted to play with, too. Then she had an injury where she actually needed crutches and they lost their novelty, but she had years of fun with them! She actually gave them to one of her friends who loved to play with them.

 

[amylevan]

I remember playing on a set that my grandparents had in their basement when I was younger. My cousins and I had tons of fun hobbling around on those things....

 

[billwendy]

I think its a wonderful idea!! If your child liked cooking, you'd buy an easybake oven or a chef's hat or something right? Let her explore! I loved my little kids Dr's kit when I was a little kiddo, and now Im a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at a children's hospital! Its a GREAT career!!!!

 

[angwill]

I think it is important to listen to your daughter and allow her to explore any passion has long as it doesn't hurt her or someone else. IMO, you did the right thing and hopefully she does take it as far as going into the medical field. Ask yourself, if you didn't buy those crutches and she loses that passion would you have always wondered if you just spent the $4 what a difference that could have made for her?

 

[beaucoup]

Crutches & wheelchairs are not toys. They need to be properly fitted by a professional to avoid injury. Also needs to be taught how to USE them. You don't lean on them with your armpits.

I don't know about the nursing career. Sounds like she wants the crutches for HERSELF to use. Nurses help other people. Doesn't sound like she's exhibiting any of that compassion and nurturing towards others. Sounds like she's just oddly fascinated with crutches & that sort of makes me go huh?

Personally, a nurse kit fine. Crutches so SHE can use them when she isn't even injured, not so much.

I spent 6 months in a body cast as a teenager due to back surgery. Really, this thinks casts are a game? You might want to break her of that idea. Body cast. No showers. For 6 months. Horrible clothes. As a teenager. So many questions & stares from people. Its not a game.

Maybe be sure to teach her that part. Compassion & nurturing. Nursing not fun & games.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Crutches & wheelchairs are not toys. They need to be properly fitted by a professional to avoid injury. Also needs to be taught how to USE them. You don't lean on them with your armpits.

I don't know about the nursing career. Sounds like she wants the crutches for HERSELF to use. Nurses help other people. Doesn't sound like she's exhibiting any of that compassion and nurturing towards others. Sounds like she's just oddly fascinated with crutches & that sort of makes me go huh?

Personally, a nurse kit fine. Crutches so SHE can use them when she isn't even injured, not so much.

I spent 6 months in a body cast as a teenager due to back surgery. Really, this thinks casts are a game? You might want to break her of that idea. Body cast. No showers. For 6 months. Horrible clothes. As a teenager. So many questions & stares from people. Its not a game.

Maybe be sure to teach her that part. Compassion & nurturing. Nursing not fun & games.

I agree with this. My daughter had a level 3 ankle sprain and spent months on the damn things. They are not toys.

 

[Swimalie]

When I was around 6 years old I was fascinated by crutches so my neighbor made some for me out of wood. They were fun to play with for a year or so. Then about 3.5 years ago I sprained my ankle. I have been through 2 surgeries, several injections, a walking boot for 20 weeks and crutches twice. They aren't toys. I almost fell several times using them. I think it's great that she is interested in such a rewarding field but crutches just aren't toys.

 

[englishteacha]

My 7th graders are still fascinated with crutches! If someone comes in with them due to an injury, they have to watch the crutches like a hawk because sure enough, someone will grab them to play with them! As long as you teach her how to use them properly (with your arms, not your armpits!), and make sure she's not trying to get hurt, then I think all is well.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Crutches & wheelchairs are not toys. They need to be properly fitted by a professional to avoid injury. Also needs to be taught how to USE them. You don't lean on them with your armpits.

I don't know about the nursing career. Sounds like she wants the crutches for HERSELF to use. Nurses help other people. Doesn't sound like she's exhibiting any of that compassion and nurturing towards others. Sounds like she's just oddly fascinated with crutches & that sort of makes me go huh?Personally, a nurse kit fine. Crutches so SHE can use them when she isn't even injured, not so much.I spent 6 months in a body cast as a teenager due to back surgery. Really, this thinks casts are a game? You might want to break her of that idea. Body cast. No showers. For 6 months. Horrible clothes. As a teenager. So many questions & stares from people. Its not a game.

Maybe be sure to teach her that part. Compassion & nurturing. Nursing not fun & games.

I have to agree. Crutches are not toys and should not be viewed as a "novelty item." I spent 8 weeks on them a few years ago and could not wait to get rid of them and walk on my own. Personally, I don't believe it's healthy for an 11-year old to be obsessed with a medical device, and I would not indulge it. If she is really interested in being a nurse, I would get her an age-appropriate book on nursing as a career.