Growing up with BSL and Deaf family life is part of my hearing sons' childhood. But what those experiences mean to them, and how they understand their identities, belongs to them.

My two hearing sons are growing up in the same Deaf family, but that doesn't mean their experiences will hold the same meaning. No two CODA childhoods should be measured against each other.

Growing up connected to Deaf and hearing people can bring different perspectives and ways of communicating. But belonging to those worlds shouldn't mean being responsible for holding them together.