Jealousy

Over the past few weeks, I have learned that our oldest son, Isaiah, has some jealousy about hemophilia.  We talked about it a lot. I asked him to draw pictures of what he'd like about having hemophilia and what he wouldn't like.  He liked the idea of getting prophy and going to the HTC for an appointment just for him.  He didn't like the idea of getting his blood drawn, though!  Then, he drew what he liked about Eli and Silas having hemophilia and what he didn't like about them having it.  He liked nothing about their having it, and didn't like how Eli couldn't play with them when he got prophy.  He told me that he felt Eli got all the attention because of his hemophilia.   

I was so sorry and heartbroken that he was carrying these feelings with him.  He never acts like he's jealous.  He is very protective of Eli and Silas because they have hemophilia, and he was so pleased for Eli when he heard that Silas had hemophilia too.


So, our conversation got me thinking.  Yes, some of us need factor, but whether we need to get prophy or not does not make us who we are.  I talked to Isaiah about it, and he listened.  Now, I am trying to pay closer attention to what is unique and special in each one of my children's lives instead of our current "affected vs. unaffected" tally.  I am still new at this and I'm learning.  And right now, I am being reminded that. . .

I am not only a hemo mom, I am a mother.