It’s February! Black History Month. Congenital Heart Defect Month. St. Valentine. Presidents Day. Ash Wednesday. Am I missing any? I…
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Down Syndrome
Lessons from Sam #10: Trust the ones who know and love you.
Infants who are born into healthy, stable environments learn to trust their reliable caregivers. These little ones experience love through…
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Lessons from Sam #9: Stay Curious
Since his early days in the hospital, Sam has shown a keen interest in the world around him. At just…
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Lessons from Sam #8: Good health is a gift.
As a kid, I got sick nearly every Christmas–ironically during those two weeks off from school. In the wee hours…
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Lessons from Sam #7: Iceland is missing out.
In August of this year, controversy erupted in the world of Down syndrome and its advocates, as media outlets shared…
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Lessons from Sam #6: The best way to learn patience is to wait.
When I was 11 years old, a high school cross country runner approached me to see if I wanted to…
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![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)