Children, especially those between the ages of 4 to 6, love to play rough. Not only can it provide an outlet for their endless energy, but there’s also a purpose behind it: According to the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development, it provides them control over their surroundings and offers a safe space to act out their aggression safely. Of course, youngsters don’t know that rough play needs limits, and they hurt each other if parents don’t keep things in check. But sometimes, adults can get carried away, too.
Alison Tothy, M.D., an emergency room doctor and professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago, explained to Fatherly that many injuries happen because parents assume their children are safest with them, thus taking fewer precautions. Here are some common-yet-unexpected ways that parents can get too rough during play.
Sliding with kids down the slide
There’s always a moment when a toddler is unsure if they should go down the tall slide at the playground. To ease their fears (and avoid a meltdown), parents might place their kids on their laps and slide down with them. However, this maneuver could lead to a trip to the emergency room, as Jill Flanagan, a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta pediatric orthopedic surgery M.D., explained on the hospital’s blog: “Kids will put their leg out to the side, and then the leg gets stuck. The twisting then breaks their leg. We see this type of tibia fracture a lot.”
Hanging kids by their arms
Kids love getting their feet off the ground, and using your arms to swing about is the easiest way for them to do just that. But this activity can cause stress on their elbows, possibly leading to a condition known as nursemaid’s elbow. “This is a common injury in early childhood that happens when a child’s elbow is pulled and partially dislocated, says Dr. Flannigan. “Unfortunately, if it happens once, there’s a good chance it will happen again.”
Jumping from swings
Speaking of flying off the ground, kids always want to go higher when you’re pushing them on a swing. As they get older, they often want to take a leap off the swing and land on the ground, leading to broken wrists, according to Dr. Flannigan.
Playing “airplane”
Another way children can take to the skies is when you lift them with your feet into the air. But according to Fatherly, the childhood game can lead to injury when they come crashing down, either from your tired legs or onto nearby furniture that breaks their fall.
Tripping over them or falling with them in your arms
A floor littered with toys and kids can cause (relatively) heavy you to fall onto your (comparatively) light child. It helps to stay in shape and keep your reflexes sharp so you can fall in a way that doesn’t smother a kid. You might also want to explain to them how dangerous grabbing your feet can be.
Tossing kids in the air
As someone who’s tossed his son up high in the air just to hear him laugh, the idea that it’s arguably too dangerous was a tough pill to swallow. But as pediatrician Donald Shifrin, M.D. explained, it can lead to a broken nose. And despite what you’ve seen Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pull off, this also goes for balancing babies in your hands.
Trampolines and Bounce Houses
Insider reported that misuse of trampolines was responsible for more than 100,000 injuries to children in 2016. But if you can’t return your trampoline or recoup that deposit for the bounce house you rented for your kid’s upcoming birthday party, at least make sure everyone on those springy surfaces is around the same size. Sorry, but you probably shouldn’t join in 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 go all Justin Verlander on them. Per Fatherly, thrown objects are one of the leading causes of injury in children.