One step at a time.
My husband and I were having one of those dark special needs parenting moments. Our son with Down syndrome pushed us to the brink. That’s where our conversation about his future teetered.
He’s only three and a half, and yes, we can’t predict his or our other children’s futures, but every once in a while, something happens and we can’t help but look far out. At times it’s like looking at a beautiful picture on the distant horizon and at others fear makes it seem as it could all crash into the rocks below.
We were having one of the rocky moments.
But then the next day.
We took him to a water park and because of his impulse control issues, we knew it would require one of us to be in arm’s reach of him the entire day.
He got away.
He went through the water, around the corner, up the steps, and down the slide.
One step at a time.
For parents of typically developing children, they may wonder why this was so significant. For him, for us, that hour at the splash park was monumental.
For him to stay on task, not run away, to respect other kid’s turns…I had a baby on my hip, water up to my knees and tears in my eyes.
This is how our lives often go as parents of children with special needs. We are on a beach with a steady pace of waves, but every few months a rip current comes and drags us out to sea. Yet, our kids are also the ones who often pull us back to shore.
They surprise us, motivates us, teach us.
That day he surprised me by his ability, motivated me to not put limits on him and taught me to embrace the whole of the journey he’s taken us on.
Through the water, around the corner, up the stairs, and down the slide. . .
One step at a time.
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Behind the post:
I honestly don’t remember what happened that week that lead us to such a dark spot. I remember it was Friday night, our most cherished night of the week. We were talking over a homecooked meal and candlelight and we couldn’t pull ourselves out of the pit. When Anderson did this the very next day, it just reminded me that we can’t let fear take over. Yes, things are harder for him. Yes, he gets in his own way at times. Yes, this parenting a child with Down syndrome is not always easy. But it is good. There are so many bright spots and he really is an incredible life-teacher.
I honestly don’t remember what happened that week that lead us to such a dark spot. I remember it was Friday night, our most cherished night of the week. We were talking over a homecooked meal and candlelight and we couldn’t pull ourselves out of the pit. When Anderson did this the very next day, it just reminded me that we can’t let fear take over. Yes, things are harder for him. Yes, he gets in his own way at times. Yes, this parenting a child with Down syndrome is not always easy. But it is good. There are so many bright spots and he really is an incredible life-teacher.
