Thursday, February 12, 2009

Baby Down syndrome

The twins, who are 4, have finally picked up on the fact that something's up with their baby brother. When I took him to the ped the other morning for his cough, the girls came along for the ride and apparently picked up on the doctor saying something about "Often, babies with Down syndrome . . . ." Later in the day, Daisy asked me, "Mommy, what's Baby Down Syndrome?" It didn't register at first that she had picked up on it that morning, so I asked her, "Where did you learn that?" "At the doctor," she said. Oh, yes, now I remember . . . So, how do you explain Down syndrome to a four-year-old (or rather, a pair of them)? I was honestly at a loss for words. All I could manage was, "It's something Finn has that might make him learn a little slower." Wow, that sounds so crummy, and it's really not a good explanation. I'm so weary of it all right now, though - everything - and I just couldn't come up with anything better.

So the twins do NOT have a good understanding of what Down syndrome is. They apparently think it's: (a) something really neat, because Annabelle has since said, "I want Down syndrome!" with a grin on her face, and (b) something temporary, because Daisy keeps asking me now, "Does Finn still have Baby Down syndrome today?" Annabelle also informed me this morning, "Mommy, I know someone else who has Down syndrome." "Who?" I asked her. "Rock Obama!" she said.

Sigh.

9 comments:

Alycia said...

OMG, I am cracking up right now! That is freaking hysterical!

On another note, don't be so hard on yourself. They are 4 and your response was great. They probably grasped that one characteristic. If you would have gone into more detail they probably wouldn't have remembered anything. Most of what they picked up they learned one at a time.

Those pics of Finn are adorable! I must hold him on Sat! I mean it! I don't care if I have to come over at 3! : ) Let me know what time you are thinking...

Nicole O'Dell said...

I agree. You did a fine job.

This way, they'll figure out what D.S. is to Finn instead of how it's explained to them.

JaybirdNWA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JaybirdNWA said...

You gotta love the innocence of kids - that is priceless.

Kristy said...

I went through this same thing when Tim and Arron were small and Tim first got his diagnosis. Please read the interview I did with Yvonne Pierre because part of that interview is my experience in telling my older son, Arron about Tim's diagnosis.
The link to that is here: http://innerviews.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/kristy-colvins-innerviews/#more-64

You did fine, by the way!
Kristy

Angela said...

Oh my goodness that is seriously the funniest thing I've heard in a long time!

Linda said...

This is hysterical. Thanks for sharing. To the seriousness of the post, I think you did fine. They are 4 and they can't totally understand at their age. I have been trying to explain that my daughter has Down Syndrome to her 8 year old cousin and I find it very difficult. I'm going to read Kristy's interviews to get some ideas. : )

Anonymous said...

OMG, Annabelle and Daisy, LOL!

Lisa - I think your explanation was perfect.

Finn is too adorable.

Jeanette said...

Your explanation was pretty much the same thing I told my son. I gave him a basic explanation and answer questions as they come up.