Proud Mommy Moment

Last week, we had DJ’s parent/teacher conference. Our conferences are all pretty standard “I will give him additional work to challenge him. His handwriting could be neater.” ;)

As soon as I walked in the door I barely had a chance to sit when his teacher wanted to tell me that DJ has been volunteering every day to assist a young boy that is in the process of mainstreaming. The little boy visits the class for about an hour or so a day.

This little boy happens to have Down Syndrome.

I tear up every time I think about it. Truth be told, I am crying writing this. They are tears of being proud of my son for the choice he has made.

His teacher said that he has taken it upon himself and gone out of his way to make sure this little boy keeps up with the class, follows directions, and is comfortable in the class. Most importantly, she said he is very patient with him.

While other kids didn’t jump at the opportunity to help, she wondered why DJ was so willing. She didn’t realize that his brother had Down Syndrome.

He understands. He gets it. All the advocating we do for his brother…he sees it.

I never realized he did.

On the way home, I asked him how he felt about helping the little boy and he said “mom, he reminds me of Cody. I have to sometimes be strict with him to get him to do things. I don’t always understand what he says, but I understand him.”

I asked him what makes him volunteer and he simply said “I want to.”

These are the moments when all those doubts of not being a “good enough” parent are put aside.

I am beyond proud of my boy and I am thankful that he doesn’t see kids as “different”.