Joey knows

I really want our kids to grow up seeing Finn's differences - and Down syndrome . . . and heck, all physical and intellectual differences between people - as no big deal. I've struggled, though, since Finn was born, as to what and how to tell our other kids about his "issues." We told Kevin pretty early on, just because he's older and we figured he would handle the information pretty well - and anyway, he's old enough that he was questioning things. The younger kids, I've not really known how to handle it, but I've known that: (a) I didn't want to make a big production out of telling them because I think that would just make it seem big and scary, and (b) I didn't want to wait too long to tell them because then it almost starts to seem like a secret, and we're a pretty open family.

So last night Joey was talking about how smart Finn is, and I suddenly saw it as an opening for some dialogue. I told him very matter of factly that Finn has something called Down syndrome. He, of course, wanted to know what that was, and I told him that it's something that some people are born with and it can make them look a little different from other people, and sometimes it takes them longer to learn how to do certain things. I've also had these books sitting here waiting for an opportunity:

~ We'll Paint the Octopus Red

~ The Best Worst Brother

~ Hi, I'm Ben . . . And I've Got a Secret! (Thank you, Jodi!)

These books are great. They're geared towards young kids and two of them even have a Q & A section in the back. Joey, who is 6, has just lately become passionate about reading (just like his mama and big brother!), so he really enjoyed reading the books. He's a funny kid . . . sometimes he says these off-the-wall things. He wanted to know how Finn "came down with Down syndrome" and I explained to him that it's not like a cold or a stomach ache, that it's something he was born with and will have his whole life. And it didn't take long for him to start connecting some dots: he said "So that lady who comes to do exercises with Finn . . ." and I said, "The physical therapist? Yeah, she comes to help Finn get strong so he can learn how to do things like sit and crawl when he gets a little bigger."

Anyhow, it was good. He took it very much in stride, and was especially affectionate with Finn afterwards. Finn is so loved by his older siblings! One of these days soon I think I'll read these books to the twins :)