DownSyn Forum

gabymommy · Posted: November 17 2010, 3:04 PM Post subject: Hello from Ohio

Hello everyone, I am new to this site and just wanted to introduce myself. My husband and I had our first child in July and Dr's told us hours after her birth that they suspected Down Syndrome. I will share more of my story sometime soon. Right now we are taking things day by day. We are already involved with our local early intervention program. I don't know what we would do without their help and guidance. I am feeling much better about the diagnosis these days than I did at the beginning. I have read a lot and learned a lot in the past months.

So here is what I am currently struggling with. My husband and I both work full time. We take our daughter to an babysitter 5 days a week. Last night she slept for 11 hours straight for the first time. Now that she is sleeping so long (I know she needs it) I feel like we will hardly have any waking time w/ her at all during the week. I know that all working parents must struggle with this. However I feel like we need to be doing her "therapies" w/ her everyday in order to maximize her potential and keep her on track developmentally. I am feeling guilty that I can't stay home with her and I don't know how to provide her with what she needs. Has anyone else struggled with this?

Blossom · Posted: November 17 2010, 4:12 PM Post subject: Hello

Hello Gaby's mum,

I'm new here and there are probably way more experienced heads who can advise you than me, but I am wondering how good your babysitter is and whether you could work with her so that you are confident that she is using good strategies with Gaby when you're at work? We have a nanny and altho I look after my son FT at the moment when I eventually go back to work my nanny will be responsible for him. I am intending to get her as involved as possible with learning all the early intervention strategies so that I can be confident Freddie is still developing and learning when I'm at work.

It's tough when you are working and worrying about what's going on while you're at work but I think trying to make a good friend of your babysitter and making sure she is as involved as possible and motivated to help your daughter might be a way forward.

Blossom

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Mum to Freddie, born 19/10/10

downmommy · Posted: November 17 2010, 9:01 PM Post subject:

Blossom is right. While you are her parents, your babysitter is with her for most of her waking hours. I currently have my daughter in a daycare where not only do the therapists go there, the teachers/babysitters do the carry-over as well. Talk to your babysitter, see if she is willing. My last babysitter was not so accommodating which is why we switched.

AliMama · Posted: November 17 2010, 11:32 PM Post subject:

Welcome to Downsyn! It's great to have you here! I have definitely had the working mommy guilt, and many parents on here (whether they work or not) constantly feel like they should be doing more for their children. Check this out: http://www.downsyn.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=43392&highlight=working+mommy and this: http://www.downsyn.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=44623&highlight=enough Right now you should just enjoy your time with her, and not worry about making it all "therapeutic". There's plenty of time for that. And, like I tell myself, all you can do is your best, and it is enough.

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Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-2009

Edensmama · Posted: November 18 2010, 2:20 PM Post subject:

Hello and WELCOME! Smile

I hear ya about working full time. I have tended to "avoid" therapy at night because I felt like I just wanted to enjoy her and play. But I have been learning that therapy IS play so I just had to do a little planning about what things I would incorporate into our play time and, TA-DA, therapy done! Smile

Of course, I also agree that it is key to find a care-giver who will also incorporate these things into her day. You may need to provide them with a few easy ideas that they can do pretty easily (at her age, things like tummy time, tracking objects, reaching for objects, etc - just ask her therapists).

Glad you found us and decided to post. Look forward to getting to know you guys better!

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Nathalie
Mom to Eden (DS) 4-13-08
Wife to Luciano (the best daddy in the world) since 10-8-2005
www.caringbridge.org/visit/edensalem

gabymommy · Posted: November 18 2010, 4:06 PM Post subject: Thank You!

Thank you all for your responses and support. I am so happy to have found this great resource. I am talking to my husband about the best way to discuss this with our babysitter. I know that she does tummy time and reads books and has toys for her to play with. Gaby is doing great developmentally so far. I am sure she will continue to do great. As you have all said. Loving her and just playing w/ her is what she really needs right now. I know that I need to stop being so hard on myself.

earlyam · Posted: November 19 2010, 7:35 AM Post subject:

Hi and Welcome! When Ethan was little I was given this dvd from Dowsned...

http://store.downsedusa.org/epages/DownsEdUSA.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/DownsEdUSA/Products/12501-000702

It has some great ideas for play activities that your babysitter could do with your little one!

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Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

Googsmom · Posted: November 19 2010, 9:39 AM Post subject:

Welcome to Downsyn!!!!!!

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Jennifer, Momma to The Brookster 4 yrs old

www.specialneedsinmolalla.blogspot.com
www.foundalongthejourneythroughholland.blogspot.com

LinMac · Posted: November 25 2010, 4:30 AM Post subject:

Delighted to meet you.....Welcome!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 14 ), Robert (Aged 8 - DS)

First day at school

Tigger · Posted: November 27 2010, 8:34 AM Post subject:

Welcome to downsyn. I am at home but Talitha goes to preschool two days a week and her early intervention teacher sees her there. When she was getting speech therapy the therapist also would go to the preschool. At home we play and read books. I think the most important thing is that a child knows they are loved and accepted. Enjoy your time together and let your babysitter work on the specific therapy stuff. Very Happy

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Emdad · Posted: November 27 2010, 11:14 AM Post subject:

Welcome! Lots of good info already. . . Very Happy

Excalibur · Posted: November 27 2010, 1:10 PM Post subject:

Hi and welcome to our slightly odd - and very exclusive! - club. I didnt feel very comfortable with parents support groups for a couple of years, they seemed odd, like Audi Owners clubs or something, holding rallies and showing off their fine motors to each other, almost geekish! But like anything else, you come round to the idea, its actually really useful to network because other , older parents are the real experts.
My boy Jay went to his Mums workplace nursery from age six months, and the speech therapist was happy to see him there. That was the only therapy he received, but the best therapy of all was growing up alongside lots of other "normal" children - he has always been mainstreamed, and it has worked out just fine.

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There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.
There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Abigail'sMom · Posted: January 04 2011, 9:27 AM Post subject:

Hello, welcome and congratulations on your daughter! I just sent you a PM regarding the lawyer.

I have to tell you, you so sound like me when our daughter was born! We too did not know until her birth of her diagnosis. We too sent her to daycare at 3 months of age. I also know that quilt. LOL, we would keep her up till 11 or later just to play with her... we are regretting that now, however, we wanted our time with her.

As for the sitter/daycare, you can also see if they would be willing to incorporate therapies into your daughters day. Our daycare was more than happy to help and learn from us.

So happy to meet you! Again, welcome.

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Eli
Mom to Abby (DS 10/21/03), James Thomas (01/31/06), Katie (08/12/08.)

violettesmom · Posted: January 04 2011, 9:40 AM Post subject:

Welcome! I'm from Ohio too - Cincinnnati area.

I work full time, and feel your pain. You might want to check out this old blog post about how "therapy" works in our life!

http://yomammamamma.blogspot.com/2009/10/31-for-21-normal-life.html

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Momtoseven · Posted: January 04 2011, 10:08 AM Post subject:

Hello and welcome to downsyn!

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Maureen - Mom to Daniel(24), Brandon(22), Jordan(16), Thomas(14), Carrie(10), Samuel(7) and Mark (4)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

marlene · Posted: January 06 2011, 9:13 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome to DownSyn! This place is an invaluable resource!!!

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Marlene, mommy to my precious Aleena (1/30/04)