I was meeting a new parent of a child that is now attending Sam's school. I took Sam with me so he could meet the little girl. My babysitter took Abby with her to run a couple of errands.
Abby made this comment:
"I'm glad I'm not going with them because I just don't know how to respond to special ed kids that aren't my brother."
Abby made this comment:
"I'm glad I'm not going with them because I just don't know how to respond to special ed kids that aren't my brother."
I think the siblings of special needs kids get the raw end of the most of the time. So much time & attention goes to the one who has the "issues" & the siblings get the leftovers. We try really hard to make sure Abby has her own "life." Sometimes we just don't succeed.
Sam has been blessed to have such a wonderful, patient & loving sister who takes on the role of "the big sister" even though she is the little sister. She reminds him to "use righty", she has to witness his scary outbursts, she's had to sit in waiting rooms for countless hours while Sam is getting therapy. She helps him get toothpaste on his toothbrush. She reads to him and helps him with his homework.
Her life will also be filled with challenges as she gets older and it's such a balancing act as a parent. Are we doing enough? Is she getting what she needs? Does she have her own hobbies? Do we drag her to endless activities that involve Sam?
The silver lining in this is I hope that she's developed a greater degree of compassion for those who are different from her. I want her to love people regardless of their abilities. These are all things that are hard for an adult to learn, let alone a 6 year old.
Life is hard.
Sam has been blessed to have such a wonderful, patient & loving sister who takes on the role of "the big sister" even though she is the little sister. She reminds him to "use righty", she has to witness his scary outbursts, she's had to sit in waiting rooms for countless hours while Sam is getting therapy. She helps him get toothpaste on his toothbrush. She reads to him and helps him with his homework.
Her life will also be filled with challenges as she gets older and it's such a balancing act as a parent. Are we doing enough? Is she getting what she needs? Does she have her own hobbies? Do we drag her to endless activities that involve Sam?
The silver lining in this is I hope that she's developed a greater degree of compassion for those who are different from her. I want her to love people regardless of their abilities. These are all things that are hard for an adult to learn, let alone a 6 year old.
Life is hard.
