Last day for Moms, 3 left for Dads!

[kathrynsoper]

Hello everyone,

As many of you know, Jennifer Graf Groneberg and I will be presenting a New Parent's workshop at the NDSC convention. I'm making a handout for the presentation called "What I Wish I'd Known," and I'd love your help. If you'd like to participate, here are the steps:

1. Answer this question in 50 words or less:

What do you know now about parenting a child with Down syndrome that you wish you'd known from day 1?

2. End your response with your first name, your child's first name, and his or her age in parentheses. For example: Kathryn, mom to Thomas (2)

3. Email your response to [e-mail] by June 1. Put "What I Wish I'd Known" in the subject line.


Feel free to share your responses in this thread, but please note--I will only include emailed responses on the handout. Also, depending on how many responses I receive, and how much overlap they have, I might not include every response in the handout.

THANK YOU! I know your words will bring great encouragement to new parents!

____________________________
Kathryn Lynard Soper
Editor of GIFTS
Mother of Thomas (DS) 10/2005
Sam - 2003
Matt - 2001
Christine - 1999
Andrew - 1997
Ben - 1994
Elizabeth - 1993

[CC]

"I'm making a handout for the presentation called "What I Wish I'd Known,"

Just wanted to say how very COOL to make such a handout ;D

CC ~

[Chris too]

Cool. I will think about this one.

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Hmmm, only 50 words. That will be ruff

[Myria]

I wish that I'd have known what a tremendous support system I would find in a group of strangers who have become family to me. Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement and wisdom, you all are the best!

[kathrynsoper]

Thanks, ladies. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Tammy]

Kathryn,
Would you mind if I copied this message to another forum based in Australia for Aussie Mums to read??

I know a lot of them have purchased and/or read the Gifts books, they would love to have the opportunity to participate in this also.

Thanks in advance.
Tammy.

[kathrynsoper]

Absolutely! Thanks for your help!

[Claire]

Wish I had known about this site before he was born, would have been a pro by now. ;D
I sure wish I would have been prepared to deal with the educational system. ;D.
Wish I had known he would one day wear size 14 waist and 10 lenght. ;D
Love this idea.

[kathrynsoper]

Only 2 days left to submit your responses--hope to hear from all of you!

[kathrynsoper]

I've extended the deadline until June 3 for Dads to reply. Moms, please send your responses by tomorrow, June 1.

[Chris too]

A copy of my entry:

What do you know now about parenting a child with Down syndrome that you wish you'd known from day 1?

Success with 5 typical kids didn’t teach me everything about infant care. I assumed that, since Stevie had no heart issues, Ds would not become a factor until she was ready to learn. Ignorance landed her in the hospital for “failure to thrive.” It felt like “failure to mother.”

That’s the “50 words or less” limit, but I would add: I had to learn to listen more and assume less.

Chris mom to Stevie (3)

[kathrynsoper]

Thanks, Chris!