Multi-dentally delayed

Quinn is beginning to catch on...

The other day I was talking to another adult about Chloe (a topic of many of my conversations). As we spoke, Quinn eventually told the woman that Chloe was mult-dentally delayed. I guess he means "developmentally delayed". It was so sweet!

Yesterday, Chloe got off from the school bus. She came up the driveway and said, "Do?" (What are you doing?). We told her we were reading a book while we waited for her to get home. Quinn looked at me and said, "Mom, Chloe sure can do a lot for someone who is handicapped, can't she?"

He's a really good big brother. Sure, his baby sister drives him NUTS - just like any baby sister. Yesterday (now I am laughing), I came downstairs after hearing Quinn yelling "STOP, NO, QUIT, LEAVE ME ALONE!! STOP CHLOE". I was thinking, "Why doesn't he just get up and move so Chloe can't bug him while watching a show together?" As I began to descend the stairs...there was Quinn - climbing the bannister and hanging there watching the movie. I think he thought I was going to have a fit about him hanging from the railing watching their show. He said, "I had to get away from Chloe Mommy". He was probably pleasantly surpised when I said, "That was a good solution to the problem you were having."

Back to being a good big brother. Chloe loves her brother (though she shows it in very strange ways). When she comes home from school and Quinn is gone, she looks at me and says, "Qua?" (Quinn?). I tell her that he is at school. Chloe says, "Qua - coo?" (Quinn's at school?). At bedtime (mostly when Daddy is not home), as I am putting her to bed, she says, "Qua - ha ha". (I want Quinn to sing me my bed time songs). Quinn comes in and sings You are My Sunshine. He substitutes words...You will never know Chloe, how much I love you, please don't take my Chloe away." He also sings the second verse (but he has only heard it 2 or 3 times). He says, "The other night I dreamed I holded you in my arms and then I woke up and you weren't there and I held my head and cried (and he grabs his head and sings in a crying voice)." Then, he crawls into her bed and gives her a kiss and hug.

It's hard being Chloe's big brother, especially when you are only a 5 year old who is a mere 18 months older than your baby sister. I am so thankful that God gave Chloe a big brother like Quinn. He has faults but he sure is good to his baby sister a lot of the time!!

There are two schools of thought on siblings of "special needs" kids. One - the "other child" becomes angry and upset about the attention focused on the special needs child. He or she acts out in anger and hate. Two - the "other child" becomes compassionate. loving, accepting person who cares deeply and who becomes an advocate who stands up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I sure hope Quinn chooses option 2.