When raising a child with special needs, it’s very easy to constantly compare your child to other children.  In doing so, you soon realize that it does nothing but depress you and allow you to focus on all of the things that your child is not doing. When MJ was about 4 years old,  I decided that I would not do that any longer and I would focus on any and all accomplishments MJ had.

 So…

We celebrated when he learned the names  of objects around the house.  

We celebrated when he used his toothbrush for the first time. 

We celebrated when he took a bath without assistance and then eventually learned to shower.  

We celebrated when he learned to safely use the hot versus cold water.  

We celebrated when he learned to dress himself. 

We celebrated when he went to school and didn’t try to hide in the classroom closet. 

We celebrated when he started speaking in 2 word phrases (“juice please”). 

We celebrated when he was able to sit at a restaurant for 10 minutes without having a meltdown.  

We celebrated when he went to a store and helped with selecting grocery items instead of running through the store. 

We celebrated when he stopped running into the street as soon as the front door was opened.  

We celebrated when he learned his address and phone number.  

We celebrated whenever he tried a new food.  

And this continues today…

Don’t compare your children to anyone else. They are perfectly unique and a one-of-a-kind design.  Celebrate their individuality and their successes no matter how small you think they may be- For we know those victories really aren’t small at all.