We admit it—a huge part of our sanity comes from connections with other LSL families.

How It Started

We didn't necessarily set out to become friends with other LSL families.

We love our "old" friends.  They're supportive and understanding. Many of them are parents. We didn't know much more about having a deaf baby than they did. We had the same questions they had.

As new parents during the pandemic, we were reeling from the changes of parenthood in general. The last thing on our minds was making parent friends. We heard it was an elusive task that can be awkward.

The last thing on our minds was making new parent friends.

We had so much on our plate, we couldn't keep track of another thing. But, we understood it would be good for our baby to grow up knowing other kids who use listening devices. So, we mentally put off making "parent friends," planning to refocus when she started a specialized preschool.

How It Changed

Intros

When we spoke with friends and family about her diagnosis, the offers for introductions rolled in.  

• "My college friend's son uses cochlear implants. Do you want to talk to her?"
• "My friend is a teacher of the deaf. Do you want her info?" 
• "My friend uses hearing aids. She's happy to talk if you want."

Yes, yes, yes. We always said yes to introductions. If someone was willing to give us their time, we wanted to hear from them.

We always said yes to introductions. If someone was willing to give us their time, we wanted to hear from them.

It was also reassuring to just see a smiling face on the other side, to convince us that things would be okay.

Parent Groups

Our Early Intervention services offer parent groups.

Due to the pandemic, we meet by Zoom. It felt obligatory at first—like something we were doing "for our baby" as opposed to for ourselves.

But, as we signed in week after week, a funny thing started to happen.

Zoom-meeting-burnout transformed into a comfy hang from everyone's home. With the babies in bed, the parents could have a glass of wine and just talk.

We started to really care how the other families were doing.

We started to really care how the other families were doing.

We knew when they had a big test coming up, and awaited their news. They checked in with us, and gave us tips for procedures.

A new family would join, and we'd rally around them. It helped that, by chance, many of us live in the same neighborhood.

How It's Going

We looked around one day, and realized we'd made new parent friends.

We text each other funny things and updates. We look forward to our Zooms like a party. As the weather's gotten nicer, we've even met up in person.

We've been surprised by just how powerful it is to be with other LSL families.

We've been surprised by just how powerful it is to be with other LSL families.

We're surprised by how much it's enriched our lives. And we're excited to keep the friendships going.

Haven't Found Your Crew Yet?

We know not everyone wants—or finds—a group of LSL-family friends right away.

We do hope Daisy Bell helps bridge the gap.

We do hope Daisy Bell helps bridge the gap.

If you are searching for your crew, don't stress!  We've had families join our group later, and quickly become one of the gang.

We've also seen families of older kids post on Facebook groups. A Facebook group we love is Parents of Children with Cochlear Implants. We've seen families looking to meet up in geographic areas, or online.

Follow what feels right to you. We hope all our kids have a strong community as they grow!