Talking about your kid with friends who have typical kids

Saturday, I was out with my little girl, one of my best friends and her little girl. We took them to see a children’s Cinderella ballet, and we had a little time to catch up before it started. Her daughter’s had some delays and has been getting occuaptional therapy, and I asked how she’s doing. “She’s being turned down for therapy services next year because they have no diagnosis,” she said. And then, “Oh, but you don’t want to hear that.”

That bummed me out. 

I know she was being kind—what she meant is, after what you’ve been through with Max (who had a stroke at birth and got cerebral palsy as a result), this must seem like small potatoes to you. 

But, of course, I do care about her daughter. I don’t want to feel alienated from my friends and whatever they are going through with their kids, no matter how big or small. We’re there to support each other. It’s a two-way street. This is a friend who always asks about Max’s progress.

I couldn’t get into this right then and there, so I just said, “No, of course I want to hear more.”

Have you felt divides like this with friends who have typically-developing kids? 

Ellen blogs daily over at To The Max.

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