midori1999
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I'm not sure if you're still reading this, you posted a while ago...
Anyhow, my third son has Downs Syndrome. I didn't know until after he was born and am I glad I didn't! I am not sure what I would have done had I known when I was pregnant, if I am honest and I suspect that is largely because I would have worried about his older siblings and also I had a lot of misconceptions about people with Downs. I was 27 when I had my third son, he is 9 next month.
In the early days/weeks/months, having a child with Downs isn't that much different to having a child without Downs. My son did have a speech therapist and physio from a couple of months old, he also needed open heart surgery at 6 months old, but day to day care was just like for any other baby really. Except he was really easy in that he never cried for a feed, slept through the night from birth and was generally undemanding and laid back.
As he has got older, the differences between my son and children without Downs have become more apparent, but I don't think about it too much tbh. My son is just who he is. His speech is very delayed, but he can say short sentences and communicate basic things with us. He likes to joke (well, he has two older brothers, they are 12 and 17 now) and he has a great sense of humour. His behaviour can be a bit challenging at times in that he doesn't always want to do what we ask, but he is mostly laid back and easy going. We are quite lucky in that he doesn't really get ill and so far has no sight, hearing or other problems associated with Downs Syndrome.
One thing I would never have really understood before I had him is that I feel just the same way about him as my other children. I love him and care for him just the same and he is just my son. He isn't 'my son with Downs Syndrome'.
His older brothers absolutely adore him, the eldest especially. I have thought about the future, but I don't think about it too much, what's the point, we don't know what will happen? I do know, without any doubt, that his brothers would always look out for him and make sure he is OK.
Anyhow, my third son has Downs Syndrome. I didn't know until after he was born and am I glad I didn't! I am not sure what I would have done had I known when I was pregnant, if I am honest and I suspect that is largely because I would have worried about his older siblings and also I had a lot of misconceptions about people with Downs. I was 27 when I had my third son, he is 9 next month.
In the early days/weeks/months, having a child with Downs isn't that much different to having a child without Downs. My son did have a speech therapist and physio from a couple of months old, he also needed open heart surgery at 6 months old, but day to day care was just like for any other baby really. Except he was really easy in that he never cried for a feed, slept through the night from birth and was generally undemanding and laid back.
As he has got older, the differences between my son and children without Downs have become more apparent, but I don't think about it too much tbh. My son is just who he is. His speech is very delayed, but he can say short sentences and communicate basic things with us. He likes to joke (well, he has two older brothers, they are 12 and 17 now) and he has a great sense of humour. His behaviour can be a bit challenging at times in that he doesn't always want to do what we ask, but he is mostly laid back and easy going. We are quite lucky in that he doesn't really get ill and so far has no sight, hearing or other problems associated with Downs Syndrome.
One thing I would never have really understood before I had him is that I feel just the same way about him as my other children. I love him and care for him just the same and he is just my son. He isn't 'my son with Downs Syndrome'.
His older brothers absolutely adore him, the eldest especially. I have thought about the future, but I don't think about it too much, what's the point, we don't know what will happen? I do know, without any doubt, that his brothers would always look out for him and make sure he is OK.
must be such a shock for you.
