Here I share the lessons learned while staying in hospital with Hope. From sleepless nights to appreciating the hard work of nurses, understanding emergency buttons, and finding joy in simple games, this blog post shares valuable insights for any parent in a similar situation.
Ever find yourself wondering, “Am I doing this right?” as a parent? I sure do. In this blog, I share my own doubts and discoveries as I navigate the ups and downs of parenting. It’s a journey of trial and error, but one filled with love, hope, and plenty of learning along the way.
Parenting is full of proud moments, big and small. For us, watching Hope accomplish things in her own time makes those moments even sweeter. From new words to newfound independence, every little milestone is a reminder of her strength and determination. It’s not about comparing timelines—it’s about celebrating progress, no matter how long it takes.
What does it take? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot. What kind of person do I need to be for Hope? How do I make sure she thrives? In all my pondering, I realised one thing makes all the difference—belief. Not just in Hope, but in myself. Without self-belief, I wouldn’t have the confidence to push forward, to fight for her, and to take action. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned to accept where I am, trust myself, and push past fear. Because believing in myself allows me to believe in Hope—and that belief will help her succeed.
Being a parent teaches us so much—about life, about resilience, and about love. But being a parent to a child with Down syndrome has taught me even more. I’ve learned that Down syndrome isn’t what makes life hard; life is just hard sometimes. I’ve seen that love doesn’t always need words to be felt. I’ve learned to celebrate every small victory, to embrace the support around us, and to find my voice in ways I never imagined. Parenting Hope has been life-changing—in the best way possible.
Almost two months ago, I wrote about running on empty. Well, I finally took that break I talked about—and had a major “well duh” moment! Turns out, the way I’d been living and working just wasn’t working anymore. I realised that routines and small changes could make a big difference in my stress levels, my family life, and even the state of my house. Now, with a few tweaks to my schedule and a little help from Jobot (our trusty robot vacuum), I’m feeling more balanced and less overwhelmed.