There are so many parents here with small children with WHS. I just found this picture in an old drawer and I remember this like it was yesterday. Then again it was so long ago I can barely remember those days. Amariah is 12 yrs old now and I wish i could just hold her small little face one more time and kiss it, wrap her in her blankets but now she is big and has a big old personality to boot. She is a preteen doesn’t like to be kissed and hugged all the time and i’m mom so I can’t help it. Cherish every day with your your youngs ones, they grow so fast.
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Thank you for this beautiful thought. I often wonder…how do I balance the drive to teach him, get him the most help and “push him” to give him the best opportunity to be able to walk, speak etc. with just loving, holding my baby and making funny faces at him even if were not working on head control or pushing up etc…everyday is clouded with a million thoughts of guilt – did I do enough today, did I do too much and not just be with him…I wonder how you dealt with these thoughts?! Your daughter is beautiful…
I can’t wait for Nathaniel to be 12. I’m curious to see what he’ll be like. That’s such a cute picture. I’m curious to see her now.
Oh Letty once he’s 12 you’ll wish for that sweet little baby again. Thanks for the comment. If I can I am going to try to upload a short video of Amariah either on this site or on http://www.amariahtreasure.blogspot.com over the weekend. I have a few which were taken on my phone it’s just I never have the time to do so. I usually update from work like I’m doing now. She is the funniest child you will ever meet.
Hi Nicole, for me I can’t even remember how I got through most things, I just did it as any other parent would with their child, special needs or not. I personally believe in tough love. I, of course, cherish and babied my daughter but I would make her do a lot of things on her own. For ex I would let her go through the struggle of taking her clothes off and feed herself. Maybe I would pull one arm out or something like that or spoon some of the food for her. And now she does it on her own. I say this not to say I never help her do things but for Amariah, repetition is key. The more I made her do on her own the more she got it. How do you balance? If you love your child it will come naturally. While you love, hold and make funny faces you’ll be able to incorporate small exercises to help him stand and use/build his leg muscles for example. Every loving gesture for Mari had a lesson in it, even now. You should never feel guilty, your job is to love, cherish and provide for your child. You are not on a timeline, trust me these kids are not on your average timeline anyways. They do when they are ready to and it will amaze you. Everyday doesn’t have to be a strict or strategic lesson but with everything you do you can incorporate a little activity to get them to the next level. Do you know Mari took her own shoes off by herself yesterday? Not slip ons, flip flops or slides. Sneakers!! I told her good girl, gave her a high five and a kiss and walked out of her room while I asked her to take the other one off. She wanted me to take it off for her because it was hard to do and I did too but I loosened the lace a little, left the room and Voila. She eventually took it off and brought them to me. She always makes my heart skip a beat.
I never put too much thought into it, I’ve always been the type to do what I have to do to get the job done and you will too…that’s why they call you MOM.
Thanks for the comment.
Amariah is simply gorgeous! I agree with your “tough love” approach to raising your daughter. You’re a wonderful mom and example to others with younger children!
Thank you so much Carissa!