Isn’t that such a toddler thing: “mom’s distracted, I’ll grab the gummies and take care of it myself!”

This is so real. From a very imperfect mom from a generation ago, still trying to improve, despite the fact that my kids, one special needs, are all grown and gone. Things do tend to settle with time and fall into place, but our constant efforts are necessary. You're on my prayers. 🌹🙏❤️

I think the fact that we're so busy and trying to keep all of the household's "plates spinning" is one of the reasons kids in general get away with a lot!

I have a 21 month old with DS. I have older typically developing kids. What I noticed is that my 4 year old struggles with non compliance but less melt downs. While my 6 year old still gets meltdowns occasionally. I, as a mom, have observed and decided that my 4 year old is a typical toddler with typical behavior issues which will pass as he gets older. The reason he has less melt downs is because he spoke very early and is still very articulate, while my 6 year old didn’t. My 6 year old had always been a very tidy and compliant child and hence is most compliant even as a baby. Where I’m going with all this is that I have to retrain myself sometimes to look at my daughter without associating everything about her with her DS. I am now associating my daughter’s behavioral issues with her inability to communicate effectively yet. And not necessarily as bad habits (even if it’s can easily be associated with kids with DS) as bad habit can be seen with just about any toddler. Therefore, I have decided on spending a lot of time in learning how to communicate with my child and teaching her as much as possible provided the environment is conducive for her to absorb my teaching. I will advise you to not focus too much on her as this can increase non-compliance. She knows what to do, she just likes to take time. These “bad habits will improve with maturity( which may be later than a typically developing child). Mechanically teach her the sign language and others you use in communicating. If she bangs on the table, acknowledge her and ignore. Its hard but it will pass o assure you. I have older friends with adult with DS whom I have learned a lot from. One of which is that, they need you to treat them as you would anyone their age. Give them space as is appropriate with your other kids. And use language you both understand (these could be a sound or unusual “incorrect” signs”) until they adapt the standards. For example, my daughter blows raspberries as a way to say she needs her milk. I have started teaching her sign for milk but I don’t force her and won’t until she’s ready. The truth is that these therapies help and I love the therapists, but they can sometimes make you feel as if you are not doing enough which can increase frustration between you and the child thereby creating a counter effect for improvement, and the cycle continues! The therapist gives tips but can’t do much as children with DS tend to hate being “forced”. Another thing to remember is that the therapist may view and speak of your child with DS more collectively and less in a personal way as they may not have spent enough time with your family to know your daughter as a person, not as a person with Down syndrome. In turn, mothers, following professional advise, may become prone to viewing our children in that generalized manner, gradually forgetting that their personality as a person may not be accounted for yet by any of the army of healthcare team. Very little researches focus on specifics with DS let alone be detailed enough to account for individual personal traits. It’s up to us as mothers/parents to tailor our DS children’s life experiences with their personalities. My OT told me to discourage my daughter from throwing as this is a natural tendency to avoid the difficult details of gently setting down things. This is definitely true. But I also noticed that she really enjoys throwing as a game. So I let her throw (her toys)

Oh man! Mama! Haha! I’m going through this with Lily right now! 😂 my husband always says, “I don’t negotiate with terrorists” when Lily pitches her fits 🤣

Trying to break bad habits can be so difficult and I love the idea of doing a video for accountability. I have also caught some things during video editing that make me cringe both for my girls and myself so it's definitely helped me identify some things to work on as well.

I’ve reinforced quite a few bad behaviors and I’m working on it also. It’s so hard!! Most of the time I don’t even realize I’m reinforcing a not so ideal behavior. My OT has given me a lot of tips. Try to remember it will take her a little longer to understand new concepts than typical kids. Don’t be hard on yourself. She’s doing great! She does amazing feeding herself with the spoon too! You are a great mama! 💙💛

Breaking bad habits with littles is soooo tiring! Way to be consistent momma!

This was such a great video for moms of any kids....I find myself oftentimes giving my son whatever he wants just bc I'm tired or busy and can't deal with the training part right now. Consistency is something most of us need to work on!

I love your transparency! You're such a good mama!

You make me feel normal! Amen on breaking bad habits!

Just be strong and consistent! Sometimes you are just going to have to let her scream. Just keep telling her she has to use her words and when she can do that cone get you and walk away.

Oh man, good stuff, Leilani! I have noticed with my youngest he gets my attention by saying “MommyMommyMommy” over and over until I acknowledge him. 🤦🏼‍♀️ But I give him attention to make him stop even if he’s interrupting me with someone else! I’ve been trying to teach him to be patient and wait for me 😬😬. You are doing great, mama!

I have a teenager who has Down syndrome, he has been having behavioral issues I’m trying to correct. It’s hard but teenagers are hard ❤

Trying to break bad habits is so very hard. Good luck mama, you've got this, and its ok to not be perfect, cause guess what.. you are still perfect in their eyes! Good luck on the move!!

I think what you’re doing is great. Helping her learn to ask for what she wants will help her be more independent.

You’re so right, one thing about doing video is showing me what I need to work on as a mom, it’s a big blessing! You’re doing well with little Miss! She’s such a cute kid! It’s so hard to be consistent! Amen! Amen!

Thank you for making this video. I tough it was too late to break the bad habits but you should me it can be done. 🙏

My younger brother has down syndrome and we r having quite a hard time teaching him things. He never he never plays with toys. You always breaks things and push/hit younger children to get attention. He has no fixed sleeping routine. He is nine and still cannot talk. He often runs away from home. And he loves to hide things like shoes under the bed, biscuits in the freezer n creams in the wardrobe! He also doesn't likes to wear anything. And much more.... Kindly give some tips to teach him things.

I am in love with that little voice! She is a little treasure.

My son definitely gets away with alot more than I like to admit. Im just so tired lol he's the youngest and the only boy. But i agree now is the time to do it, even when its hard. Good job mama 👏

Habits are soooo hard to break!

There's no harm in usi g ear buds with music. You dont have to listen to screaming and you def dont want to pay attention or reinforce the screaming. Its normal to cry when things dont go your way and theres a yearslo g pattern of crying resulting in desired outcome.

I'm here because I need to get more disciplined with reducing my 6 year old's (who has DS) screen time. 🤪

You’re such a great and patient momma. ❤

I have some habits to correct with my two year old. I’ve been lax because he’s the last one...he gets away with way too much

I love seeing you trying to break these bad habits now. My parents are still dealing with bad habits from my special needs adult brother that they never broke. Example, he was never taught to clean up after himself and he is capable of doing it. To this day he expects someone else to do it for him. I will have to correct lots of bad habits when I have to start taking care of him when my parents are gone.

Your channel is amazing. I am getting guidance thorough. Wanted to check how did you train your daughter to self feeding.My son is not holding anything to eat.

We can all relate with your honesty....on bad habits...!.

You know what, identifying it is half of the battle. I'm guilty of reinforcing bad habits too, sometimes my kiddos call it out. ASL and redirecting is a great method. And she also knows ...ohh mom is busy let me sneak away! lol. All kids know when to swoop in.

She knows what she is doing

One thing I enforced with both my kids and the children I nanny was to make sure the only time they were given food was at the table. Is hard, but stay consistent. Also, keep up the signing. You have so many things on your plate, please take time for yourself. You are doing a great job!! I know it’s hard to ignore her, but you cant give into her wants. You control the situation, not her. On a really good note- she is a normal child. Many prayers for strength & for help for you.

She’s a sweetheart. You’re doing the right thing no matter how hard it is.

Your a great mom and she is so sweet.

Aww haha it is so hard to break those habits!

I flip cushions over, too, to show the nicer side. You're moving, too? I'm moving next month, so that my mom can move in with us and have an in-law suite. I think it's hard for everybody to break bad habits...

Saying & signing “wait” has been very beneficial to me. I realize this video is 2 years old but I agree with a lot of the other comments, you are doing so well keeping yourself together, and staying calm, patient, and consistent. It takes a lot to do this. You GOT this. She does so so well communicating with you as well as feeding herself and signing I absolutely love the obvious work that’s been put into her growth and positive behavior and atmosphere.

This is a great video and I love the thumbnail. Naomi is so cute and I love watching her sign. You are a great mommy

In Naomi's opinion, she's beautiful in all her cases. But it's better to break bad habits.I love her from Iraq♥️.

She’s doing so well with her signs! 👏🏻 Keep going, Naomi!

I want guideness from u my baby also downsyndrome he is 1.8year old but he chew nothing nor eat by spoon i give him everything through bottle

Thank you for posting this. My very good friend is a single mom who has a child with down syndrome and there’s simply is not enough videos online of how difficult that can be to raise a child whose comprehension is very limited but their anger and temper is not. I hope you guys are doing well.

Hi ! How is Eve doing now that she is at school ?

What a beautiful little girl. I love working with children with Downs. It’s a challenge and it’s also very rewarding; they’re such sweet little souls. This mom is really hard on herself. Granted, we can always do better but we also need to remember to be gentle with ourselves. We can’t do everything perfectly all the time and this mom has her hands full in a number of ways. She already has a son and raising kids is a lot of work and raising a child with Downs is even harder. She’s obviously a very present, loving and self-reflective mom. I hope Dad is equally so.

U have her spoiled

You have the patience of St Jude! OMG!

U r too good dear. I hav a baby with down syndrome n too similar like ur daughter. Ur daughter is very cute.how old is she??

U have to ignore her until she stops

Your channel is amazing. I am getting guidance thorough. Wanted to check how did you train your daughter to self feeding.My son is not holding anything to eat.