As the Mom of a Child With a Disability, Please Stop Saying This Phrase

New moms tend to hear the same key phrases, don’t we? They often seem to start with “just wait!” followed by the hardships of motherhood.

Just wait until the baby is up all night crying and hungry.

Just wait until your baby poops all the way up it’s back and you’re in public.

Just wait til your baby starts eating! Oh the mess!

Just wait until they start talking and never shut up!

Just wait until they start walking and never sit down!

Have you ever stopped and thought about the moms who wish so badly they could hear their baby cry? Did you know it’s possible for a baby to “silently” cry because their life support tube is blocking their airway?

Did you know that when a baby poops all the way up their back it means they have a good GI track?

Did you know that some babies can’t eat on their own and require feeding tubes?

Did you know there are parents who are actively learning  sign language so they can communicate with their child? And that same mother wonders if she will ever hear her child say the words, “I love you Mommy!”

I did, because I am that mom.

And last but not least, did you know there is a 2.5-year-old girl who blesses my life every day who has no intention of walking yet. Just today she became strong enough to crawl down the hallway so we had to bring out the baby gate. Something I didn’t know if we would ever be able to do. Would she ever need that? God bless the baby gate and her physical therapist!

So let’s stop the “just wait” and start with “you’re going to love….”

Count your blessings!