Redefining MommyhoodJourney of a mom whose son is overcoming hypotonia

My sister and her youngest daughter came to visit over the weekend. We spent the day walking around St. Augustine and being tourists. We were walking along George St. checking out the shops, when I overheard 2 moms chatting. They both had sons that were 15 months old. The one boy was walking along with his parents, while the other was in his stroller. I heard the mom with the boy in the stroller say “look, see that boy, that is what you are supposed to be doing”. The mom of the walking boy said that he started walking shortly after his 1st birthday. The non-walking boy mom said “well, he is just starting to walk, so he will get there”.

It’s amazing how much we moms compare our children to others. What is “normal” for one, may not be “normal” for another. I have definitely learned that children all do things in their own time. There sometimes isn’t an explanation for things. We would be so much better off if we could sit back and just enjoy these early years with our children and appreciate them for who they are. I know it’s hard not to worry and wonder. I still do it everyday!

Becoming friends with moms with “normal” kids can be challenging. I became friends with a mom who has a child around the same age as Luke about 8 months ago. We met up for playdates and even talked about getting our husbands together one weekend. It seemed like after time went on and her child’s gross motor skills progressed on schedule, but Luke’s did not, we quit hearing from her. I’ve tried to get together with them a few times lately, but it never seems to happen. I’m a paranoid person sometimes, so of course now I’m wondering “did I do something to make her not like me, or is it because Luke can’t keep up with her child?”

It’s just sad to think that someone would be that shallow. All children deserve the chance to interact with other children their age, even if they aren’t on the same developmental level. If her child didn’t seem to be on the same cognitive level as Luke, I wouldn’t use that as a reason not to let them play together!

No mom wants to admit that their child has “special needs”, but hypotonia and gross motor delays do present their own set of special issues. Making friends is just one example.