My Sibling with Disabilities Embarrasses Me: Veteran siblings share advice for parents to help prepare

Sometimes, I wonder if my daughter, Emma, will one day feel embarrassed by her brother Charlie, who has intellectual and developmental delays. Maybe it’s the charming way (to me!) Charlie greets every stranger like the mayor of the universe. Maybe it’s his struggle to walk, his delayed speech or the low muscle tone that causes constant drooling.

Of course, having Down syndrome (as with any disability) doesn’t mean it’s a given that he’ll embarrass his sister. After all, siblings are expert at embarrassing each other eventually.

But as a parent, how can I prepare for the moment when embarrassment does stem from Charlie’s different abilities and help my daughter through it, all while acknowledging that it's OK to have those feelings?


To read more: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1028265/my-sibling-with-disabilities-embarrasses-me

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