The Dyslexic Parent

The hardest but most rewarding job there is, being a parent. In the scheme of things I'm really new to being a  parent/father. My son is still a baby, and he is our only child at this point. We plan on a few more, God willing. As a parent I find myself worrying about everything and learning to filter out what are irrational thoughts or stress. It is no secret to anyone that knows me that I have always wanted to be a father, and my love for kids started at a young age. I always found myself a role-model even if I didn't choose to be.

Being a Dyslexic dad I found myself stressing about if my son will be Dyslexic or not. I think about if the rest of my kids will have Dyslexia, since my wife and I plan on having three or four. The odds start to increase, obviously. I found through research that Dyslexia can run in your family. My first cousin has it, my father I believe has it, even though he was never formally tested.

I watch my son's development, which is amazing; how quickly he learns new things is awesome. Sadly, I will not really know for sure until he is four or five years old. I know I want to have all my kids tested since I wasn't really until sixteen years old. I don't want them to have to endure that kind of hardship if they don't have too. Like any other parent out there, you want better for your kids than what you had. I hope the increasing technological developments and new findings in brain research will help them if they do have a learning difference.

I hope my children don't have Dyslexia, mainly because it would make things easier for them. Every parent wants their children to be completely healthy and perfect. It rarely turns out that way, but my wife and I are thankful for having a healthy son.

I know also parenting a Dyslexic son wasn't easy. Not knowing what was going on with me, growing up and into my adult hood. The helpless feeling my parents must have had. I'm sorry for them.