Parenting a child with different abilities has revealed to me my polar tendencies. Sometimes I want our son to blend…
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Down Syndrome
Lessons from Sam #4: The R-word feels personal.
If you know me well, you know that I consider the word ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’ to be more offensive than…
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Lessons from Sam #3: Welcome everyone.
Our diverse world provides countless ways to look at life. In certain communities and with certain individuals, various beliefs and…
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Lessons from Sam #2: Communication is more than verbal skills.
After reading through Go, Train, Go! (for the tenth time), I lift my 3 year-old boy into his crib where…
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Lessons from Sam #1: Comparison often leads to pride or discouragement.
As the parent of a child with different abilities, I tend to be hyper aware of the comparison games we…
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Imagine a World without Down Syndrome
Recently, our family sat around the dinner table marveling at Sam, our toddler who happens to have Down syndrome. His…
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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)