i've heard this countless times since savannah was born. she's small, but it's normal for her... she is still on formula, but it's normal for her... you get the picture.
the pediatrician said to me the other day at savannah's re-check for her head circumference... 'we need to decide if there is a problem, or if this is just normal for her'.
she laughed as she heard me talking to savannah, as we were leaving, saying, 'don't worry, sweetie... normal is overrated anyway. your mommy has spent a lot of time and energy making sure she wasn't normal.
i'm not offended by someone saying my child isn't normal. i would, however, be very offended if someone suggested that she was deficient in some way. because she is not. i am aware of many people who are deficient in many different ways, but they are considered normal by some.
normal is not at all equal to good, or happy, or interesting, or fun, or nice... etc.
. . . . .
i used to wear a jean jacket, in high school that was entirely covered on the front with buttons. some were pictures of prince (who i worshipped at the time), some were peace symbols and aids ribbons, and some were the kind with the silly/witty/fun sayings on them. one of my absolute favourites was one that proclaimed, 'normal is boring'. which is even silly, considering what a conformist prep girl i was in high school, for the most part.
it is now the mantra of my entire life.
Posted by lara at July 28, 2000 11:49 AM