During our classes last summer, the social worker made an off-handed comment about how occasionally kids go in developmental reverse as they are adopted. New parents, instead of challenging the kid to continue to grow and be independent, will want to cuddle and “help” them with everything, even though they had already started doing things on their own… maybe because the kids do things slower, or the parents don’t have the capacity to observe and adapt.
We are lucky that Jaclyn often says: “I’ll do it myself” and we often let her push her own limits. Most of the time she succeeds and she is so proud. Needless to say, we are proud too: eating alone, getting dressed, going potty, playing certain games, walking Rufus, walking long distances, climbing… she even puts shoes on, and let me tell you, the winter attire is challenging even for adults …so many layers, so little mobility.