Let’s keep it real, shall we?
I don’t like everything about parenting. I hated my daughter’s croup. Why do I need to like everything about Down syndrome?
10. I hate it when he uses his low muscle tone to his advantage in a tantrum. It’s not a fair fight.
I hear parents say “All kids do it, it’s age appropriate at 2 years old!”
Yeah? Well, say that to me when I’m draping a 13 kilogram liquid toddler over my arm like a highly disagreeable fish playing dead. Then still powering on with my grocery shop.
9. I hate it when I’m picking him up from daycare, his friends are gathered around chatting to him, and he looks petrified. I know full well he’s not. His face is just telling me he’s in slight sensory overload. He’s still enjoying himself, while on the defensive. He is on first name basis with more kids than any other toddler I know (and he can’t even talk yet!) I know he loves the playground socializing. But the momma in me wishes I didn’t know what ‘sensory overload’ is, and how much therapy it took to get him to this point.
8. I hate it when people give him things and let him through ‘because he’s cute’.
Yeah, I know he’s freaking cute. He’s also the devil’s spawn and a totally manipulative little soul with a smile that could charm paint off walls. But he’ll still be waiting in the FRICKEN QUEUE. Behind all the other people.
Because that’s where he belongs- in his place. I like to tell them that, too. Then I get a sympathetic smile that makes me want a magic lamp. One that will make said person his birth mother, for 48 emotionally manipulative hours.
7. I hate it when I have to listen to the same freaking movie yet again because I’m too lazy to make PECS communication cards with a greater range of movies than The Lion King and Frozen. IT’S ON THE TO DO LIST. Let it go.
6. I hate it when he doesn’t eat his dinner, and I have to give him Sustagen for Kids. It makes me feel like I failed at parenting. Then I remember I created a beautiful, empathetic soul of a Big Sister almost exactly one decade ago who had even worse eating issues. She can even make her own 2 minute noodles! And then I high five myself.
5. I hate it when I forget to prep people to let them know my son has Down syndrome, and I have to coach them through their reaction. I don’t always mind… but it’s draining. It’s like being delivered my diagnosis all over again, on a smaller scale. I can tell how much they know about Down syndrome by watching 30 seconds after they find out.
Top Comments
I have an extended family member, who has down syndrome. I prefer you treat her like anyone else. She has the sweetest personality on earth. I hope she can progress enough to work as a cashier in a grocery store or anywhere that personality matters and complications don't.
I have a nephew with Down Syndrome, and I have a question. If I see someone with Down Syndrome out in public, would that person and his parent prefer I greet him and talk to him, or treat him like everyone else out there?