To feel so bad that I upset a mum of a child with sn

[maytheoddsbeeverinyourfavour]

Because I do, feel bad that is

This didn't happen today but it's been playing on my mind...

DH and I took the dc out for the day. We were at an indoor place waiting for an event, as we were standing there more people came in behind us. Then I heard a really loud shout and a grunting sound, I turned around because it made me jump and saw a mum with an older boy who was making the noises and could see he had sn. Once I saw him it was clear the noise was because he was excited and so I smiled at him and his mum as I would with any child being cute/excited and thought no more of it

But then my youngest started copying the sounds the boy was making, he's only one, just a baby and he just copies everything at the moment. We were trying to discretely shut him up but it wasnt working then the doors opened and we were ushered in, I tried to look back to catch the mums eye to make it clear that it was the baby and that no one was trying to ridicule her son, but she'd dropped back so I couldn't speak to her, she gave me a death glare and then I couldn't see her anymore

I was (and am) just so mortified that she or her son might have thought we were making fun of him. I keep wondering if we ruined their day. I feel so guilty and think I should have handled it better. And if you are recognising this and it was you then please accept my sincere apologies

I'm another one who has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp when I'm not thinking about anything in particular - I get it from my Dad. He never realised until someone snapped a photo of him while he wasn't paying attention - he was horrified!

That might have been all it was.

I did something much worse a few weeeks ago in Tesco. I was putting apples in a bag,with a bit of a crowd round me,and became aware there was a middle-aged man standing much too close behind me,not moving. I picked up the bag and moved backwards giving him a hard shove...and turned round to see a Downs Syndrome man beaming sweetly at me,with his elderly mum next to him, still picking apples.

i have to say I would laugh if a 1 year old mimicked my DD..not so funny when her 7 year old cousin does it but that's another story

Don't worry about it. I was out & about the other day with my DS who has sn and is in a wheelchair, another little boy we passed (about 6) turned to his daddy & asked 'what happened to that boy daddy?' in earshot of us.

The father was absolutely mortified but there was no need for him to be as I absolutely did not mind....the little boy was just curious which was natural enough. As no offence was meant, none was taken....I am sure same applies for most people.

Maybe she gave you the death stare because you kept looking at her??

Lifehope - that reminds me. My 8yo former hacking cough imitator has moved onto a wheelchair fascination. The other week, in Sainsbobs, he saw a wheelchair and, even though it was quiet and there was loads of room, he made a loud noise like a klaxon and shouted "wheelchair alert!"