The Down Syndrome Bloggers Network group monthly prompt for January is “They say when you are a special needs parent the highs are higher… and the lows are lower.  I have found this to be…”

FaithReflectionThey say you shouldn’t compare.

But it’s really hard not to isn’t it?

I would’ve thought that we’d have been used to it after Luke decided to set his own schedule when it came to milestones but I can’t pretend it’s not still difficult.

Whenever it’s just us and I can see Faith’s individual progress, it’s fine.  Then I see another baby of a similar age and it’s not as easy.

At just one year old I’m not sure we’re far enough into this journey together for me to be able to answer this month’s prompt with any surety.

Whenever any of your children achieves something it makes your heart swell but the harder someone tries to do something the greater the resulting celebration and I know when Faith reaches a milestone it comes with a whole bucket load of relief too.

For now I remind myself that life is not a race that you want to finish first, that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses that may change and develop over time, hope that she’ll never need open heart surgery again and let my heart swell threefold everytime she shares a smile or giggle with us.

Read more from the Down Syndrome Bloggers Network on the theme of highs and lows:
Trista Park – Highs and lows