To all the mamas who will hear the words “Down syndrome” for the first time this year, I want you to hold onto a few truths that will guide you through this journey:
Little girl with pink glasses and purple bows in her hair wears a t-shirt that says “Actually, I can.”
1. Your child will be your greatest teacher. You will watch this little person navigate a world that wasn’t built for them, finding ways to adapt, learn, and thrive in ways you never imagined. Their resilience will leave you in awe, and you’ll discover patience, love, and courage you didn’t know you had.
2. Forget the milestones. Really, put the books down, stop Googling, and savor the baby in front of you. Your child will reach milestones on their schedule, not the world’s. Every giggle, every step, every word is worth celebrating because it comes straight from their journey, not a page in a book.
Little girl with Down syndrome practices walking with a walker with her dad’s support
3. Your heart will break. Society carries stereotypes that are painful, unfair, and sometimes cruel. But this is where your strength rises. You are now an advocate, a fierce protector, a mama bear. You’ll grow into an expert on your child’s diagnosis, standing firm to break down barriers while nurturing a world that sees your child for who they truly are.
4. Find your tribe. Seek out those who understand, who can cry with you, laugh with you, and share the weight of this journey. Lean on them, love them fiercely, and know that they need you just as much as you need them.
5. It’s not always rainbows and unicorns. Some days will be exhausting, overwhelming, and heartbreaking. Language delays, hospital visits, therapies—they can all feel relentless. But then, in a quiet, magical moment, your child will call out “mama” for the first time, and your heart will overflow. These are the moments that make every struggle worth it.
Special needs mom and daughter with Down syndrome smile at each other while in an Under Armour store
6. Prepare for questions. People’s curiosity can be clumsy, their words unintentional. Some will ask things that make you want to shrink. Others will simply want to understand. Let these moments teach you patience and strength. You’ll find your voice, and one day, you’ll welcome these conversations as opportunities to educate and inspire.
7. Your child will find joy in the smallest things. A warm sunbeam on her face, a perfectly picked dandelion, sand slipping between her toes—these simple pleasures will remind you to slow down, to look closer, and to see the world through her eyes. You’ll learn that happiness is found in the details and that life is truly breathtaking when experienced with wonder.
Little girl with Down syndrome dances around and relishes the sunshine while at the beach
8. Your child will touch the hearts of strangers. She will connect effortlessly with people of all ages and walks of life. When she greets the cashier, the barista, or the passerby, her joy will ripple outward. Follow her lead—pay it forward, share kindness, and imagine a world softened by her example of pure, unconditional love.
9. Dance in the kitchen. Spin, twirl, let the music carry you.
Girl with Down syndrome smiles in front a batch of freshly baked vanilla cupcakes
10. Take the bubble baths. Soak, breathe, laugh, let the warm water wash away the stress of the day.
11. Happiness comes from within. Look deeply at your child and you will see it radiate. That joy will seep into you, transforming your perspective, your heart, and your life.
12. And most importantly— you can do this. Some days it will feel impossible. The NICU stays, endless doctor appointments, the hospital visits—they can feel like an unending series of punches. But you will endure. You will find your strength. And when the dust settles, when you pause to breathe and look at the little person before you, you’ll see someone who has faced so much and still discovers joy every single day.
You’ve got this, mama.
With love,
Lily’s mama
