Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Let’s build bridges, not walls.” His words offer a challenge worthy to be considered. For many years, walls were built to keep people with Down syndrome separate ... Read More about 3 Ways to Connect with the Down Syndrome Community
How Down Syndrome Typically Affects Typical Siblings: An Interview with The Big Kids
When Glendon & I shared with The Big Kids that we were planning to adopt a child with Down syndrome, they didn’t fully understand the implications. At ages 5 and 3, how could they? In their young ... Read More about How Down Syndrome Typically Affects Typical Siblings: An Interview with The Big Kids
When A Diagnosis Determines Your Worth
If you Google ‘Down syndrome’, you’ll find pages of online organizations and dictionaries that provide both general and specific definitions. Most will include something like this: “A congenital ... Read More about When A Diagnosis Determines Your Worth
What Down Syndrome Can Teach Us Now
When I married nearly 16 years ago, I never dreamed I’d be parenting four kids, one with Down syndrome. I had no intention of managing what feels like a circus most days--not that I was opposed to ... Read More about What Down Syndrome Can Teach Us Now
On Bullying and Boundaries and Belonging
I don’t know what your life looks like these days but mine is bursting with the colorful personalities of four kids who bring a variety of preferences, peculiarities, and pet peeves. One gets ... Read More about On Bullying and Boundaries and Belonging
Two Words To Remember This School Year
I find myself talking to The Big Kids quite a bit these days. At 10 and 8 years old, they’re in my favorite stage so far--willing to ask me anything about anything. Topics range from Why Hair Grows ... Read More about Two Words To Remember This School Year
![When I think back to the early months of motherhood, those bleary-eyed, overwhelming days (nights?) of colic and learning the needs of my first born, I can hardly believe we're here.
The toddler who traipsed around in Huggies and heels, singing made-up tunes and chatting with her hilarious imaginary friend, Lackey, outgrew my heels two years ago. And for the past year, I've been looking up to her--literally.
The longer I parent, the more I discover this gift to be one long, winding road of learning to let go. From the moment she said, "My do it, Mommy," I knew we had begun to leave the days of her tiny hand snuggled in mine.
And while I know these seasons of greater independence are part of her journey, I'm still surprised when they arrive with another milestone at my door, another invitation to release. Some days I ache to hold on just a little longer.
Happy 17th, Sissy.
You're a gift to our home, to your friends, to this aching world.
[ID: A white teen girl with brown hair in 2 braids, wearing black leggings and a black hoodie, is walking in the woods. Sun beams are coming through the trees as she walks away from the camera.]
#Parenting #LettingGo](https://i0.wp.com/www.katiecarper.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?ssl=1)