The Hypotonia Pace

Most people don't know my daughter has Hypotonia and I believe the reason is my husband and I live our lives at her Pace.  She is an only child and I don't work so we have the luxury of not wearing her out.  If she had siblings or had to go to daycare I have no doubt her symptoms would be evident to everyone around her.

I have to admit I struggle with living our lives at her Pace.  Most people are going from activity to activity, and seem to do so much more with their day that somehow I feel that we don't do enough.  I start to push my daughter to do more and inevitable she gets worn out, cranky and sometimes even sick.  I then pull back.

I asked my daughter's Geneticist if I should follow her cues for not wanting to do something or should I push her (I ask everyone this question but she is the only one that has given me a concrete answer)?  She said "You should follow her cues.  Where is it written that you have to constantly be doing something?  Why isn't it ok to just stay home and relax?"  I liked that answer because it was actually an answer and because I think she is right.  When I was a kid we weren't shuttled around from activity to activity.  My brother and I both had one extracurricular activity at a time and the rest of the time we were home or playing at a friends house.  In the summer we went to the pool every day and then to the beach for 2 weeks, not to camp or Disney.

I think as a society we are pushing ourselves and our kids too much.  It seems we have to, to keep up with everyone else.  Look at Kindergarten...  There is a push to have all day Kindergarten so the teachers can adequately teach the material to prepare for first grade.  A half day program was too rushed and the kids had no downtime.  Well, our school district went to all day Kindergarten and they still don't have down time or much play and are bringing home homework!  I often wonder if they were to give the kids more play time they might actually be able to pay attention more and the teachers would be able to teach.

I am learning to embrace the Hypotonia Pace and ignore what everyone is doing on Facebook!  I think as a family we are happier and healthier because of it!