06/12/2026
The social side of school has always been one of my biggest worries as a cleft parent.
Not the grades. Not the homework.
The friendships.
The belonging.
The feeling of being accepted exactly as you are.
So when my cleft-affected daughter burst into tears on the last day because she didn’t want this “amazing” school year to end, it eased fears I didn’t even realize I was still holding onto.
What a gift it is to watch your child feel so loved, so included, and so happy that they’re devastated it’s over. 💖