In August of this year, controversy erupted in the world of Down syndrome and its advocates, as media outlets shared a disturbing trend in Iceland. The initial CBS News report aired a segment about ... Read More about Lessons from Sam #7: Iceland is missing out.
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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 join a small, after-school running club. Encouraged by her invitation, especially since she was a ‘cool’ ... Read More about Lessons from Sam #6: The best way to learn patience is to wait.
Lessons from Sam #5: We are more alike than different.
Parenting a child with different abilities has revealed to me my polar tendencies. Sometimes I want our son to blend in with typical children, silently begging for people to see him as they would ... Read More about Lessons from Sam #5: We are more alike than different.
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 any swear word. In fact, most swear words feel benign to me, when compared to this (and other) ... Read More about Lessons from Sam #4: The R-word feels personal.
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 people are welcomed. In other places and with other people however, ... Read More about Lessons from Sam #3: Welcome everyone.
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 he plunks down for a nap and grins up at me. He shoves his grey bunny toward me, a familiar ... Read More about Lessons from Sam #2: Communication is more than verbal skills.
![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://www.katiecarper.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)