My cousin and his wife have two boys; the youngest is about 2 years old, and Colton is about 6. Colton has Down's.

Both parents work outside the home - but Mom has every Friday off just for badly needed free time. They can't afford extra help.

WO, I know that it takes "5 minutes to 'father a child' ", but BEING a father/dad and participating in that child's life are two different things. It would be like you taking a few minutes to get a new pet and fully expecting someone else to take on the full time care and loving of it.

You actually are a good father to your pets.

SADLY, however, in many parts of society the burden (and joy) of raising the children falls to the mother. Economics being what they are, often the woman's wage would be lower than the man's, so they stay at home while dad works. It makes economic sense.

Sarah Palin has been a full time politician for many many years. With her husband there, and older children, they can participate in helping with each other, the house, in addition to the baby with Down's. BUT I bet you anything they also have a nanny, and some form of daycare for the baby. They can afford all the help they need.

I cannot see a woman who has such a child wanting to do anything else. There is something wrong with a woman who would.
WHOA. I suggest you attend the next public event of your local chapter of a Down's organization and ask a few questions. Dan, you are WAY too smart to be this ignorant. Time to re-educate yourself!

http://www.cmdss.org/ - you're in time for the Buddy Walk on October 11 2008.

http://www.cmdss.org/Advice/Links.html

Lurk on these boards and see what you find out:
http://dailystrength.org/c/Down-Syndrome/support-group

List of forums here - UpsnDowns is an international one; my cousin and his wife are involved with this. There is also a forum for DADS: D.A.D.S. Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome
http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query...=-1&sg=10&ss=1

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query...=-1&sg=20&ss=1

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query...=-1&sg=30&ss=1

There is your open-book test. You can pick any study pages you want. At the bottom of each of these pages is a "previous-next" link, so you can search for more if you wish. Who knows? Likely some of them are discussing the Sarah Palin topic as well.

Have compassion - after all, people are animals too.