"I think it's sad that we have a day, because they should be recognised everyday," she said. "There's still so much negativity."

However Ms Threlfo and fellow mum Julie Herbert say the day - March 21 - is also a chance to recognise everything great about their children.

"I just look at it as a day to have some fun and celebrate it," Ms Herbert said.

Ms Threlfo, whose kids Jordyn and Jessika have Down syndrome, said their condition didn't define them.

"We know the stereotypes, people say 'oh they're such happy people," she said.

"But just like anyone else they have their own quirks. Jordy and Jess are actually like chalk and cheese. They like different things."

Ms Herbert said her son Ethan was going through the same challenges and steps as other children, but sometimes just at a different pace.

"He's just finished school, so he's finding work experience," she said.

"There's little things that he's picking up. Like he started putting himself to bed after he graduated."

Both mums say they're big on life experiences and letting their kids try different things. Ms Threlfo and Jordyn are currently on a cruise together and many people around the Hunter would know him from the jobs he does for local businesses.

Jessika is also looking to start her own business doing home-based jobs for people.

"It's very easy as a parent to fall into wrapping them in cotton wool," Ms Threlfo said. "But they need to explore."

However, while their kids are thriving, it hasn't all been easy.

"I've had it said to me a lot of times that Jordy and Jess are a burden on society," she said. "But all of his customers look forward to the day he goes in. He's grown heaps in confidence.

"They're both just going from strength to strength."

The theme of World Down Syndrome Day is "rock your socks" with people encouraged to wear bright, patterned and mismatched socks to celebrate people with Down syndrome.