That Mom With CP

People often ask me what it was like to have a baby with Cerebral Palsy.

Honestly?

Those early months weren’t nearly as difficult as I expected.

Of course there were challenges. Picking up a newborn from a bassinet wasn’t always graceful. Carrying a baby while walking through the house took more thought than it does for most parents. But babies are…well, babies.

They stay where you put them.

Toddlerhood, however, is a completely different season.

Because toddlers don’t just move.

They run.

I remember being so excited when my girls took their first steps. Like every parent, I couldn’t wait to watch them wobble across the living room.

Then one day I realized something.

I wasn’t just celebrating a milestone.

I was entering a season of motherhood that would require me to parent differently.

The World Suddenly Felt Bigger

When your child starts walking, the world opens up.

Playgrounds.

Parking lots.

Sidewalks.

Stores.

The zoo.

And while that’s exciting, it also means your toddler can go from standing beside you to sprinting in the opposite direction in a matter of seconds.

As a mom with Cerebral Palsy, I know there are situations where I simply can’t react as quickly as another parent might.

That doesn’t mean I can’t take my girls places.

It just means I’ve learned to plan ahead.

I’ve Learned That Adaptations Create Freedom

One of the biggest lessons motherhood has taught me is that adapting isn’t the same as giving up.

I still take my girls places by myself all the time.

We go to the zoo, parks, stores, church, and wherever else we want to go.

One of the best purchases we’ve ever made was our Baby Trend Navigator wagon.

Some people might wonder why we still use it when my girls are perfectly capable of walking.

The answer is simple.

Because they’re toddlers.

My girls are incredibly obedient, and I’m so thankful for that. But toddlers are still toddlers. All it takes is one exciting moment, one distraction, or one split-second decision to run.

I’m not willing to take that chance.

The wagon gives us freedom.

Instead of constantly worrying about whether I could catch them if they bolted across a parking lot or toward a busy street, I know they’re safe. That means I can actually enjoy our outings instead of spending the entire time anxious.

To me, that’s not limiting.

It’s empowering.

Parenting Looks Different—and That’s Okay

There are plenty of moments when I parent differently because of CP.

I think about where I park.

I pay attention to how crowded a place is before we go.

I choose routes that feel safer.

I plan ahead more than most people probably realize.

None of that comes from fear.

It comes from knowing myself.

I’ve learned that good parenting isn’t pretending I don’t have limitations.

Good parenting is recognizing them and making decisions that keep my children safe.

What I Hope My Girls Learn

One day my girls will realize that I don’t move as quickly as other moms.

They’ll notice that I walk differently.

That stairs take me a little longer.

That I sometimes choose the elevator instead of the escalator.

But I hope they’ll notice something even more important.

I hope they’ll see that limitations don’t have to stop you from living a full life.

I hope they’ll learn that asking for help isn’t weakness.

That using tools isn’t failure.

That adapting is something strong people do.

Toddlerhood Changed Motherhood—But Not My Ability to Be Their Mom

Toddlerhood has absolutely changed motherhood with Cerebral Palsy.

It requires more planning.

More awareness.

More creativity.

But it hasn’t changed the most important thing.

I’m still their mom.

We still laugh.

We still explore.

We still go on adventures together.

We still make memories every single day.

I may not parent exactly like someone without a disability.

But my girls don’t need another mom.

They need me.

And if you’re a parent with Cerebral Palsy who’s entering the toddler years wondering if you’ll be able to keep up, I want you to know this:

You don’t have to parent exactly like everyone else.

You just have to find what works for your family.

Sometimes, that’s exactly where the freedom is.