Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Last week my DH and DS (he's 3) got into a bad head-on car accident. They were rushed to the ER, both were treated and released with minor injuries. DS was given a clean bill of health from the hospital, my DH suffered most of the injuries. He goes to his Dr appts during the day when the kids are in daycare and for the most part, life has thankfully has gone on as normal for the kids.

They hit a tree when they crashed and DS has been talking about going back and wanting to cut the tree down so 'no one else can bump into it' And I had cried when I first got to the scene (i tried not to FREAK like I lfelt like doing to shield DS from seeing me like that) but I did naturally cry at seeing them in an ambulance and potentially hurt. So now he says just randomly today, "you dont need to be sad about the accident anymore mommy, it is all over" and he wants to know about if this person is okay and that one - he's just so sweet but its definetely still on his mind. I was okay with talking about it and comforting him but the last few nights he began to sleep walk and tells me that he doens't want to be alone, etc.

I could totally be reading into this (i hope I am!) but I'm worried that he's suffering from this in his own way and how to handle it and if i should say certain things and not others, I comfort him and give lots of hugs and kisses and I'm going on as nothing but I worry about him.

anyone have experience with this? How did you handle it?

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Im so sorry to hear this, but so glad they are okay. How scary for all of you I don't have any advice but to say that I would contact my ped to point me in the right direction.

Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

I would contact my Ped and seek advice from them, maybe he can suggest someone for him to talk to about his feeling.

Did this accident occur on Stonybrook Rd? My DH left the park last week to go help at an accident last week where they driver hit a tree with his son. If so im glad everyone was okay, he keeps talking about it.

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Posted by JennCo

Posted by KwaaksNest

I would contact my Ped and seek advice from them, maybe he can suggest someone for him to talk to about his feeling.

Did this accident occur on Stonybrook Rd? My DH left the park last week to go help at an accident last week where they driver hit a tree with his son. If so im glad everyone was okay, he keeps talking about it.

Yes, that was them.
Thank you to your DH, those men helped me hold it together for them. It was such a scary experience!

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

I would talk to his ped. Did ur DS suffer from a minor concussion? My brother started sleep walking after a football injury where he had a concussion. Dont mean to add more to your plate, but just wanted to put that out there in case it could mean something.

Also if you ever need to talk FM me, i suffer from PTSD bc of a car accident from 4 years ago with my DS.

Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

you're wise to nip this in the bud now....def. contact the doc for a recc...better sooner than later, and better to do it than not..

so glad everyone is ok!!!

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

I don't think it can hurt to bring it up to the ped.

I also echo the other poster's response about the concussion. I am sure you already had it checked out though.

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

I would just be honest... Tell him you were scared but sometimes things are scary. I think it's important for him to see you cry or experience emotion. It allows him to be ok with his own feelings. And let him see you work through it. I think it's ok to talk about it when he wants to & for you to give short, understandable answers and comfort. I'm sure it will pass quickly. However if you brush it away or push the event aside IMO it makes it bigger & worse.

I'm glad ur all ok & def follow up w/your ped :)

Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Kids have a different way of seeing things then we do. Cutting down the tree sounds like a logical response.

I don't have any experience though.....

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

my three year old was witness to a daycare provider passing out, having a seizure and CPR administered. She hit the floor face first and was not breathing.

It all happened so quickly before anyone could clear the room.

He talks about it from time to time but doesn't fully understand. He simply says "Sarah fell down and got hurt and the ambulance came"...

We do talk about it. Yes, Sarah fell down and got boo-boos but she is OK. That's why we have police and ambulances and doctors. These things happen and doctors are there to help us.

After it happened initially, we asked if he was scared or upset and he said no. We asked if other people were crying (they were, her parents own the daycare and her parents administered CPR - she is mid-20s) and we talked about how that is natural when you are scared or upset (like when he falls down or is sad and he cries)...

Just talk about it and answer any questions without providing too much information. Everyone has to learn about these things at some point, right?

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

try this:
have him draw what he "sees" on a piece of paper. Have him draw the tree, the car, him and Daddy, etc. Then have him rip the paper up into piece and tell him that the bad stuff is gone now that we ripped it up.

I had nightmares as a kid because I was deathly afraid of the Wicked Witch. It wasn't a trauma like your situation, but it certainly haunted me. A psychologist suggested the above and I NEVER had a nightmare after that. Honest!

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

Last month, DS who's 6 witnessed his grandmother passing out when we were alone with her. She has cancer and was groaning and it was very scary. She was rushed to the hospital but there was a lot that happened before she went.

He talks about it a little bit. We are in touch with a cancer cares therapist who specializes in children dealing with trauma around them related to illness and death. She told me to not initiate discussion but simply to answer or address anything he initiates simply but with enough info so he understands.

Thank God you're baby is ok!!!!

Message edited 9/13/2013 9:00:51 PM.

Re: Does anyone have experience with dealing with trauma in children

I don't have any advice but I just want to send you hugs!!!


That couldn't have been easy for you to see, for him to go through, and for you guys to have to deal with now. I am just so glad everyone is okay!