As time goes by and his life gets more complicated (where will he go to school, will I have to fight for inclusion, will he develop health problems, will people treat him kindly...), I'm sure there will be more to write about. But, I've also realized that I just don't want to focus on the DS so much. I don't think it's fair to Michael or Auggy to always associate that first. I belong to all these groups on line and so many of these moms are so caught up in the DS situation...I don't want that for my family! Of course I will fight for Michael and his rights to the death, but, I don't want it to be all-consuming!
I see people do that with their typical kids, too. Whether its about their grades or a sport they're in, or...whatever. I just want my kids to know that, above and beyond anything: they are loved. They can make their own life choices (gulp! It'll be hard to let them make some of them!), and I will always be there to love them and help them...no matter what. I mean, there are so many styles of parenting, so many ways to discipline (or not!), to steer your kids in one way or another, how can we know if we're doing the right thing? How do we know we're not dooming our kids to a life of therapy and resentment? If they watch too much tv, or play too many video games, or they say bad words, or they eat too much junk food, or they have imaginary friends, or they prefer to be alone, or they are a hitter, or...how much is our fault and how much will it affect their future?
The pressure is insurmountable, and I really don't believe there is a "right" way to parent. I believe the most important thing is that they know that their mom and dad love them in spite of anything that may come. At least that's my current approach. Who knows what I'll be saying in a year or two!
Let's see, what else is new? Auggy turned 4! He had a smashing good birthday! Lots of friends and family. He had a blast. Not to mention all the Halloween fun. He was the cutest pirate you ever saw!
And Michael was an adorable pumpkin, but he slept through all the trick-or-treating! Next year will be even more fun, he'll be 2, and walking. He'll love it!
I've been in school for 2 months now...which is crazy! It's going by so fast!!! I love it, though, and the boys have adjusted amazingly. They miss me, for sure, but they've really been enjoying all the time with their dad! It's hard to believe that in just a few more months, I'll be done and looking for a job! Exciting and terrifying at the same time.
In the mean time, I will just keep loving my kids and trying not to ruin their lives!
