MediocreMom

A MEDIOCRE MOM’S GUIDE TO RAISING AN
AWESOME KID WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Things I really wish they’d told me in the hospital when my son was born with Down syndrome.

Stephanie Meredith
“Mom of teen son with Down syndrome to moms of young kids: 'Just assume they belong’” GMA
Director of National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources
at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute

YOU CAN BE A SLACKER SOMETIMES AND STILL HAVE
AN AWESOME KID!

Sometimes our kids learn even more when we screw up.

KIDS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AREN’T PERFECT EITHER.

And that’s also a good thing … even if other people seem to really like the idea of them being perfect.

KIDS WITH DOWN SYNDROME DON’T HAVE TO BE
SUPERSTARS TO BE AMAZING.

Kids can have a complex mix of challenges and strengths that make them wonderful.

PICK YOUR BATTLES.

Inclusion and community were my priorities.

ASSUME YOUR CHILD BELONGS.

Sign your kids up for what they want to do, then work out the supports and accommodations as
needed. Think least restrictive setting in the community just like at school.

… AND MOST OTHER PEOPLE WILL ROLL WITH IT.

Most people are really great, some are exceptional, and you can move on when someone occasionally
acts like a jerk.

… AND OTHER KIDS WILL ASSUME THEY BELONG TOO.

When kids grow up together and go to school together, they become part of each other’s world.

TREAT YOUR KID LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

Then make adjustments if they need extra support.

ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE.

Dignity of risk.

BRACE FOR HEARTBREAK.

When your kids have a community of support and become more independent, they usually won’t need
you so much. That can be stab right to the heart sometimes.

ENJOY THE FREEDOM TOGETHER

Let them buy you a meal like a boss!

EMBRACE THE ORDINARY AND HAVE FUN

Life is an adventure!



STEPHANIE MEREDITH

hdi.uky.edu
University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute, A University Center for Excellence in Developmental
Disabilities (KentuckyWorks.org)

downsyndromepregnancy.org
Diagnosis to Delivery: A Pregnant Mother’s Guide to Down syndrome
Welcoming a Newborn with Down Syndrome
Your Loved One is Having a Baby with Down syndrome
Caping with Loss: Down Syndrome

lettercase.org
National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources
Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis