Welcome Mark

[Guest guest]

Dear Mark,

Welcome to this group. I am a new member myself having joined a few

weeks ago. I have two month old (apparently) identical twins boys

both with DS.

I am sorry about your impending divorce and feel for you as a single

parent. I was in that role for six years myself. I don't have too

much advice to offer but I can say that what helped me was having

family nearby (I actually moved back to NY from NC following my

divorce so I could have the support of my friends and family). I

also used the local High School as a resource to find very lovely

tutors/ baby sitters for my two girls who were 2 and 4 at the time my

husband and I separated. The High School had a list of qualified

students who were willing to babysit for free! The HS encouraged

volunteer activities. Of course I paid the girls anyway but they

were all nice girls and very reliable.

Good Luck to you! I am sure you will do fine.

sincerely,

Whittaker

>

> 1. What is your name?

>

> Mark Simonson

>

> 2. What are the first names of your children and how old are they?

>

> Aidan and Maia, 4 years old

>

> 3. Which child/children has Down syndrome?

>

> Aidan

>

> 4. Which state or country do you live in?

>

> Michigan

>

> 5. Anything else you want to tell us?

>

> I am currently going through a divorce (which has gone on for

over a

> year and 3 months now). Aidan had many medical problems at a young

age

> (including heart surgery for a VSD at age 1), but is doing much

better

> now. He attends a hearing impaired class four mornings a week at

our

> public preschool. One of my main concerns is how, as a single dad,

to

> meet the needs of both children (who often want my undivided

attention)

> and also deal with the situation of the kids living in different

> households (currently we have about a 50/50 split in parenting

time).

>