To the Mom Whose Child Is 'Different'

This post is for the mom out there who is realizing her child is different.
Maybe your baby is different from other kids his or her age.

Maybe they’re different from what you expected them to be.

Guess what?

It’s OK.

You’re going to be OK. Your child is going to be OK.

I think it is important to remember that. You might have some uncertain days ahead.  Days might turn into weeks, and those weeks could turn into months. You could possibly have years of this ahead of you.

But it will be fine. I promise.

Do you know how I can make a promise like that to you?

Because I’ve been in your shoes. I saw the differences in my son. I worried. I fretted. I still worry, and I still fret… but I know it’s all going to be OK.

“How do you know that?” you ask.

Because I love him. I love him for everything he is and for everything he will ever be.

Now, that doesn’t mean everything is easy. We still have hard moments, so I cannot promise things will be smooth sailing from here on out.

There will be trials. Things will happen you don’t understand. You might not have an answer for it, and you aren’t sure what you need to do next.

That’s OK.

There may moments of sadness. You may mourn the things your child can’t do. You may wish more than anything that life could be easier for them. There may be moments where you wonder “What if?” You may have days where you cry.

That’s OK.

There will be worries. There will be uncertainties and unknowns. You won’t always have the answer, and that’s hard. Really, really, hard.

That’s OK.

There may be judgment from others. There may be stares from strangers. You might not have the support of those closest to you. There may be days where you question yourself.  There may be times when you question every decision you’re trying to make.

That’s OK.

But this is your child, whom you love more than anything. Nothing, not even a diagnosis, will change that.

Love your child, support them, be their biggest cheerleader. I don’t look at my son and see his diagnosis. I look at him and see his sweet personality. I see his sense of humor and his love of music.

Your child’s life might look different than you would have expected. Yours, in turn, looks different too. Take your unique life, and run with it.

It’s gonna be OK.