Redefining MommyhoodJourney of a mom whose son is overcoming hypotonia

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and we are in the place in our lives where we are meant to be at any given moment. I believe that Luke was given to me to teach me many things such as patience, strength, unconditional love, and tolerance. All of these are good things to be taught!

With all of the mixed emotions that I have been feeling over the past 2 years with Luke, I feel a calling of sorts. Luke’s issues aren’t really that bad, but we have still been through a lot trying to get things figured out. I have had many days of frustration, depression, anxiety, stress, anger at times, exhaustion, “why me”, etc…. I can only think that if I feel all of these things with Luke basically being a healthy, normal 2 year old, I can’t imagine how other parents with more challenging experiences feel on a daily basis!

I started looking around online for support groups in our community for parents of children with special needs. I couldn’t find anything within a 100 mile radius!! Of course, there are some groups available through some of the state programs and some other groups specific to children w/ Autism, but nothing for parents who just want to get together and share their experiences. All children with special needs are different and will have different outcomes, but as parents, we all go through similar emotions. I think it’s healthy to share these feelings with people who know what it’s like. It has been so hard for me to explain over and over, and over again to family about what is going on. They will never get it!! I get the feeling that some of them actually think it’s “in our heads”. I just don’t even talk about it anymore with them because I get so angry and I don’t want to be angry! I decided to start a local support group to reach out to other frustrated parents. Parents with children of any age and any type of need can join. Currently, I have 3 members including myself:-) I have begun to put the word out to other people I have met with children with needs and I also mentioned it today at physical therapy.

I sort of feel like maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew, even though we don’t have many members yet. I have never really been a leader or organizer of anything! I do think this is something I’m supposed to do however. I’m really hoping more parents join and we all get something good out of it:-)

I will keep everyone posted on my group’s numbers and how I’m holding up as the leader!

I started this blog to get out some of my emotions dealing with the daily struggles of having a child with hypotonia. I also hoped to reach other parents out there who may be going through similar situations.

How exciting is it that my blog has gone global already?!?! I have a new “blog friend” who lives in Australia and I just received an email from another mom in Canada. I’m so happy that moms are finding my blog. I hope they are finding some inspiration, hope, information, etc. while reading it.

Thanks to everyone who stops by! I hope to discover more moms from around the world. Parenting is a global topic that connects us all, especially mommies.

Every mom I know has read the What to Expect books, including myself. The pregnancy one was ok, although it did make me paranoid and worry about every little thing going wrong. The first year and toddler versions did nothing but make me worry, get angry & sad, and think I’m a horrible mother, or that my child is not “normal”. There is that dreaded word again! Any parent of a special needs child or a child with hypotonia should seriously burn these books!

I stopped reading the toddler version when my son was about 15 months old. That is around the time his pediatrician referred us to the neurologist and we self-referred to Early Intervention. Some of the behavioral issues still apply, but it’s not worth it for me to skim the book to find what I need because my eyes always drift to the “your child should be able to..” sections, then I’m upset all over again.

Maybe I should write a book for parents with kids with hypotonia??