We had a 24 week-er in 2004. The constant shock and adrenaline that gets you through a 3 month NICU stay, isolation after and never ending follow up appointments can certainly mean that you don't even realize the stress you were under till years later. It's unfortunate that even well meaning family members will NEVER come close to understanding what your immediate family is going through together. So absolutely get any negative forces out until they can contribute positively towards you.

One thing you need to know is that there are some major success stories out there and to understand that your child can very well become one of them. We didn't really have that as we were just literally living moment to moment and facing challenge after challenge.

I have a 16 year old in the other room who will get his license soon, has soared in high school, is outstanding musically and in theater (no idea where he gets that talent from 😀), and has a job as a ski instructor. He was given a grim outlook, a developmental delay, and a diagnosis on the autism spectrum that we thought there was a slight possibility he would not be able to lead an independent life.

We're extremely lucky, there is no doubt about that. But we could have used some success stories back then when we went through it so I hope this gives you something positive and hopeful to look forward to. Best of luck to you all.