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I Should Be Asleep


ClaraOswin

1,112 views

I should be asleep. Instead I am sitting alone in my living room, crying. So freaking pathetic. I was just sitting here listening to music and staring off into space. Trying to figure out who I can talk to when I get upset like this. But I feel like I have no one. I suppose that's why I'm posting here. But it's only a matter of time until I won't feel right coming here when I'm sad either. No one wants to listen to me get upset about the same old stuff. I normally end up crying on the phone to my mom. I try not to though because it just upsets her. And I really just think she's sick of it anyway. My husband is always stressed about work and whatnot so I don't really like bugging him anymore either. And it's not like anyone can really say or do anything to make me feel better. I'm just the type of person who feels better if they can just cry and let it out to someone....anyone. So here I am.

My son has a speech delay. He turned two in September. He doesn't talk at all. He only babbles. But it's more than just not talking. He doesn't really communicate with us much at all. He also doesn't mimic actions or sounds much (though in recent months, this is improving a bit.) I've known for a very long time that he'd need extra help. He's been getting help every other week with Early Intervention. And soon he will get additional therapy elsewhere.

We also recently found out he's too far behind with gross motor skills as well and they want him to do physical therapy. I knew he'd hit all of his physical milestones late but they haven't been THAT bad so it was honestly a bit surprising that they are recommending physical therapy. 

Last month, we met with a developmental pediatrician. I was worried he may be on the autism spectrum. But the doctor doesn't think so. I felt really happy to hear this news. But I still don't know....it's just....my son doesn't interact like other kids his age. It concerns me. Even if he doesn't have an actual disorder...he's just different. And it makes me so worried for him. No one wants their child to be different. Especially not on top of developmental delays. He's only 2 so thankfully he has no clue about any of it. I just hope he can catch up and whatnot before he's old enough to realize anything.

And then there's the selfish part....

Nothing is the way I expected it to be. No one plans to have a child with delays. Or a disability. Or anything. My son's "problems" are minimal compared to many children. But that doesn't make it any easier for me to come to terms with it all. I am having to completely let go of how I thought life with a child would be. It's hard to let go of all of the things I planned or expected. I love my son more than anything. And I feel guilty that sometimes I just wish he was "normal." But it's hard to see other people with kids his age (or younger.) Watching how they interact with their parents. I get jealous. I want my son to look at me the way their kids look at them. I want him to call me "mom" and run over and hug. Will I ever get that?! Does it make me an awful person or an awful mom for thinking these things? Maybe. I just can't help it sometimes.

The other day my brother and his family were in town. My niece turned 1 in October. Playing with her....it was just so different than I am used to with my son. It was "normal." It was a bit heartbreaking for me.

And then my recent RA diagnosis on top of this. It's almost too much to bear some days. This isn't the way things were supposed to be.

I know things could always be worse.

But they could always be better too.

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Oh dear. Virtual hugs to you Clara. 

Worrying about our kids is really the worst worry for parents to have, isn't it? Whatever your son's issues are, or might be, at least you are seeing people, and dealing with them. Oh course, he may just be delayed with no other issues. You just don't know for sure yet. My youngest was also speech delayed, but he began to talk eventually and caught up quickly.

I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time. 

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WhatWouldJohnCrichtonDo?

Posted

I'm sorry your troubles are weighing hard on you tonight, Clara. It can start a kind of mourning, dealing with life when things go in ways you don't expect or want. I understand not wanting to wear out your venting privileges, but for as long as you want to vent here, I know a lot of us will listen, understand, and want good things for you. Consider yourself cyber-hugged. 

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Well, I've been sitting in my living room crying tonight too, over health issues and other things.  So you're not alone, if that helps.  Vent away, no worries.  

I know you're going to do everything to help your son reach his full potential.  He's very young, and catching things early makes a world of difference. My mom was a preschool teacher, and usually once or twice a year she would refer a child for early intervention testing (and therapy if necessary).  Sometimes the parents were really resistant to the idea that their child needed some extra help, but in the end they were so glad they followed through and the kids made great progress.  I'm hoping things get better for you and your family soon.

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Fascinated

Posted

@ClaraOswin, I'm sorry you're feeling sad and overwhelmed. I just wanted to say that my oldest son didn't speak any words until he was almost three but then he rapidly caught up to the other children.  Now, his son turned two in October and isn't saying many words at all, although he is very adept at bye-bye!  He is receiving speech therapy, like your son, but, because of our experience with his dad, I'm really not too concerned about him.

I realize you are worried that your son may have other issues, but he may not. Children do develop at their own speed.  

I said this on the childfree thread but to have a child is to worry. He sounds like a lovely little boy. Feel free to post here anytime about this. It's a great outlet, especially at night when everything seems so much worse.

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ClaraOswin

Posted

Thank you all so much. It's really nice to be able to vent here. I ended up posting one short, sad status update on Facebook last night. But decided to delete it before bed, I'm glad I did. I'm sure it would have led to much unsolicited advice from people I haven't technically spoken to in years. Hopefully today is better. My son is still in bed (his sleep habits have been a bit off lately.) I'm usually in a much better mood once I see his cute face. 

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Awww, I'm sorry you are feeling so shitty.  I'm afraid I don't have any advice, but I'm sending good thoughts and virtual hugs your way. 

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sawasdee

Posted

And at night it always feels so much worse, and seems to close around you.

My nephew had delayed speech - didn't speak properly until he was nearly 4 - but then caught up. It happens.

Vent anytime - sometimes internet strangers are useful, because we are a community, and can not make you feel you are over venting to any one person. Lots of virtual hugs.

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laPapessaGiovanna

Posted

My sister started talking at three. At seven her teacher tried to explain to my mother that probably she was dyslexic, my mother didn't listen, she was never assessed nor helped for her issues. Languages for her are a never ending mystery,  nevertheless she took classic studies at high school (5 years of latin and greek among  others) somehow se survived out of stubbornness and hard work.  Now she has a master degree in biochemistry and works as a pharmacist. 

Maybe his talents are less common and less apparent but will emerge later. Since he is already being treated by professionals, you can, as his mum, try to focus on seeing his abilities, maybe this will help you feel better and him develop better.

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    • anachronistic

      Posted

      I don't understand how buying gifts over the course of a year would mean more savings than buying gifts for holidays and birthdays. But I also don't understand not doing holidays because holidays to me are wonderful times and all about children and children get the most joy out of them.
       

      I, like many of us,😉, wear nightgowns to bed. But I have pajamas for days when I'm in too much pain to leave the house and I know that I'm just going to be going back-and-forth to bed all day, or for when I'm away from home. I don't find jeans comfortable enough to sleep in but whatever. Most clothes today don't need to be ironed anyway. Although I do think that you get a sort of rumpledyness after sleeping in something, I also don't pay enough attention to other peoples clothes that I've ever noticed that in anyone except for myself. Anyway, not buying pajamas isn't something to brag about because it wouldn't save that much anyway, as most can be passed down and according to Karissa, their clothes are really cheap anyway. (although it is very possible that the cheap, fast fashion from Walmart does not hold up enough to be passed down.)

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      Posted

      49 minutes ago, sleepygirl1 said:

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      • Upvote 2
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      Posted

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      • Upvote 1


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