Birth stories – I love hearing all the different ways babies have come into this world. Every birth is different. My mum regularly reminds me that I kept her in pain for a 7 day long labour, and yet my sister arrived within minutes. My two boys were two very different birth experiences. They left…
Category: Family life
When parenting isn’t quite what we had dreamed it would be…adjusting our expectations.
It’s amazing how different parenting hypothetical children is to actual parenting. I had a whole lifetime planned in my head. How many children I’d have, what we’d get up to at weekends, craft sessions at the kitchen table…of course, they’d both be geniuses, sporty, musical and best behaved children in the world. Because obviously we…
The family games we’ll be playing this Christmas…
It’s getting close to Christmas Day. The food is sorted, presents are wrapped and I’m now planning Christmas Day itself. Well, I say ‘planning’, really Christmas Day is spent lounging around and eating lots of food. But this year they’ll be 7 adults and 3 children to keep happy. So, I’ve planned some fun games…
Days Out: Blackthorpe Barn Christmas Visit (Santa’s Grotto, Suffolk)
Today we went on a family trip to Blackthorpe Barn in Suffolk. We have been every year since J, our eldest was a baby. Our tradition is to have a treat in the cafe and then choose a new decoration for tree. We’ve never attempted Santa’s Grotto before as it books up very fast. This…
A Letter to My Autistic 5 Year Old
Dearest J, Today you turned 5 years old. I know its a cliché but time has gone too fast. Each day you grow and change. I wish I could slow it all down. It’s been a whirlwind 5 years and we have been through so much. You were a very much wanted baby. We longed…
Christmas: 20 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Elf on the Shelf…it started as Santa’s little spy who sat on a shelf to keep an eye on children and report to Santa. But it soon morphed into a playful, naughty and sometimes kind elf. Elves have also been given important spokesperson jobs such as Alfie the Elf who posts on Facebook about life…
Autism: Is it a tantrum or a meltdown?
I will start this post by saying that I don’t believe having a disability excuses a child when they are displaying ‘ bad behaviour’/’negative behaviour’/’being a little s**t’. Just like any child, a child who has additional needs of any kind can and will be naughty, badly behaved or in a mood that makes them…
Mess Free Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Halloween.
It’s October which means pumpkins and pumpkin patch photos have flooded onto social media. Shops are full of pumpkin carving kits, halloween decorations and costumes. It’s a fun time of year. However, for children with sensory issues…or who simply don’t like messy activities it can be full of pressure too. Carving a pumpkin is fun…
Days Out: Halloween at Hollow Tree Farm, Suffolk.
We’re currently on half term and as it’s J’s first one since starting school in September, I plan to make the most of this time off with him. Our first stop this week has been Hollow Tree Farm in Suffolk. We have visited a few times over the last two years and each time we…
Is my child autistic? The signs I saw that led me to getting my son assessed…
One of the most common search questions which lead people to my blog is ‘is my child autistic?’. I myself had typed the same thing into google many times back when J was 1 years old…more so towards 18 months old. Looking back, especially now I have Baby F to compare to, there were actually…
Dyspraxia Awareness: Guest post by Emma at Mrs Shep Unplugged.
This week is Dyspraxia Awareness week. I’ve read bits and pieces about dyspraxia via various special needs parenting boards but not enough to write about the subject. So I have turned to my friend Emma from Mrs Shep Unplugged, who is dyspraxic herself, to tell you more about diagnosis and living with the condition…. Hi,…
Big School: Preparing to Start Reception.
This September my eldest son, J starts ‘big school’. By this I mean Reception class in Primary School. I know some parents who are counting down, saying their children are ‘totally ready’ or that they can’t wait for the peace and quiet. I’m sure they jest when they talk of their excitement (or maybe not?)…
