My first child was a whirlwind of early achievements—talking, walking, reading—everything seemed effortless. I’d teach her something new, and she would grasp it in no time. Friends and family showered me with praise for my parenting, and I soaked it all in. My second child followed a similar trajectory, though his spirited nature often led to judgmental glances—”Why can’t you control him?” they’d ask. Still, he was nailing milestones, albeit with a bit more flair.
Then came my third child, and I quickly realized that she was a late bloomer. What does that mean? It means she takes her time with every developmental milestone that our society tends to obsess over. My youngest is the quintessential late bloomer; she’s not in a rush to check off any boxes. Perhaps she’s not quite ready, or maybe she’s just busy focusing on something entirely different. Eventually, she gets there, but often in a roundabout way and at the edge of what experts deem “normal.”
And you know what? I adore her for it.
If my late bloomer had been my first, I would have stressed myself out daily. Fortunately, my experience in parenting has taught me to relax and allow kids to learn at their own pace. That doesn’t mean I don’t worry or work with her on skills I believe are crucial. We’ve consulted early childhood specialists multiple times, and they reassure me that she’s making progress in her own time.
While my oldest was identifying and writing nearly all the letters of the alphabet by age three, my youngest still struggles to dress herself and thinks that counting to ten is optional when it comes to the numbers four and five. But despite any hurdles she may face in becoming kindergarten-ready, I have complete faith that she will thrive in life.
Here’s why:
She is compassionate.
My daughter is a natural nurturer. She’s the one who rushes to comfort her peers when they tumble off the slide, showering them with kisses and hugs. She approaches children with disabilities, offering them affection and kindness that often brings tears to the eyes of their parents.
She is clever.
It took us quite a while to realize she was unable to dress herself—she was playing all of us like a finely tuned instrument. On any given day, she’d request help from her sister, brother, or dad, rotating through the family. Instead of learning the skill herself, she discovered that charming others was much easier and more enjoyable. Part of me wants to scold her, while another part can’t help but admire her ingenuity.
She can make others laugh.
Despite her slower language development, she has a remarkable talent for eliciting laughter. At a family dinner, she might enthusiastically declare “heck yeah” to a mundane plan, sending everyone into fits of giggles. Her ability to spread joy is a gift to everyone around her.
She is strong-willed.
Half the time, I suspect she resists doing things my way simply because I asked her to. My daughter has a fierce sense of autonomy. As a baby, she stubbornly refused to take a bottle, waiting hours for me to return. Convincing her to do anything against her will is no small feat!
She has rhythm.
My little one knows how to dance! She breaks into spontaneous performances in the grocery store or during her siblings’ meltdowns. While I might not have envisioned her dance skills as a significant achievement, I admire her for knowing what she loves early on. Recognizing your strengths can take you far in life.
For all the parents out there with late bloomers, take heart—they’ll be just fine. If you find yourself awake at night, questioning whether your child is simply a late bloomer or facing a more serious delay, don’t hesitate to seek help. After all, no parent should sacrifice their sleep over worries. A late bloomer may take a different route through the developmental journey, but they will arrive at their destination in their own way, much like taking the scenic route instead of the congested highway.
I like to think that my daughter’s path will be filled with remarkable friendships, unique skills, laughter, and spontaneous dancing. Sure, I worry about her, but even if she can’t count to ten, she’s gaining invaluable life skills that will help her thrive. In the process, she’s teaching me that not everyone develops at the same pace, and a little relaxation can make our home a much happier place.
For more insights into parenting late bloomers, check out this blog post. And if you’re on a journey of home insemination, consider visiting Make a Mom for quality products or exploring ASRM for excellent resources.
Summary:
Parenting a late bloomer can be challenging, but it’s essential to embrace their unique journey. Each child grows at their own pace, and qualities like kindness, resourcefulness, humor, strength, and individuality are invaluable. With patience and understanding, late bloomers can thrive in life just like their early-achieving siblings.
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