Thursday 28 September 2017

Coping with the stress of parenting our kids

Top suggestions for stressed parents

Baby brain? Had that. Sleepless nights? Yep, I've still got them. The kids have definitely had an impact on my body and health. I love all my children to bits but let's face it, despite my youngest now being four years old, there's still a lot more tummy than there was nine years ago.  It looks like someone has spirographed on a pigs belly. And that's not the half of it.

Wednesday 27 September 2017

WonderfulWednesday: UK Autism Hero Awards


Last Wednesday of the month - time for sharing something great I've found or learnt about online in my Wonderful Wednesday post.  And this month I'm highlighting the UK Autism Hero Awards.

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Sensory help with face paint stamps

Sensory help with face paint stamps

You know how some kids come home from school and the evidence of their hand printing is half way up their sleeves?  And then there's the kids that will don't do stuff that involves not getting wet or painty?  Yep - I have both of those.  Both my boys are autistic and them and their neuro-typical sister have very different sensory systems that means some activities can be very challenging.

Monday 25 September 2017

How to approach parents' evening

How to approach parents' evening- with Jane

Anyone with school-aged children will be more than familiar with parents’ evening.  All our kids are now in full-time education, but rather bizarrely it will be the first year that we have regular parents evenings to go to.  We are familiar with meeting the kids teacher's but parents evening can be a bit of a whirlwind and it's easy to shy away from the event, simply listening to the information presented, thanking the teacher and leaving.

Friday 22 September 2017

Searching for ways to expand their diets & our butternut squash lasagne success

Searching for ways to expand their diets - boy searching by dining table

If you've read my blog you will know Italian food is the best all rounder for our family.  True it doesn't contain chicken nuggets but David does also eat garlic bread.   David will never be conned into eating anything different - and that's pretty common for kids with autism.  As he's pre-verbal there's not even much chance of us being able to tell why he will eat one chicken nugget brand and not another.  

Wednesday 20 September 2017

MadeUpMilestones: The Deedee fairy with @ItsaTinkThing

MadeUpMilestones: The Deedee fairy with @ItsaTinkThing

It's time for another #madeupmilestones guest post, where I get the privilege of sharing a special moment for someone.  And today, it's from It's a Tink Thing about a milestone many of us will be able to relate to... finally getting rid of the dummy in the daytime!

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Piratey phonics fun in the park

Piratey

I can't really believe Jane is starting school. But there is no doubt she is ready for it. Perhaps having two older brothers has encouraged her but there is no doubt she is a girl that enjoys learning. When Jane and I were walking around a park this week, we played our stick letter game.  It all came about when one day she found an 'rrrrrrr stick letter'.  And then had fun looking for letters and sounds as an impromtu activity that you can try too.

Sunday 17 September 2017

You don't need to shield your kids from my autistic children

You don't need to shield your kids from my autistic children - Jane at the gate

In the last few days our youngest daughter Jane has started reception - and she is super excited.  For a week she does half days, so in a few days she will be on the regular school pick up run. This means she will be there and sometimes I may have her autistic brothers with us.

Friday 15 September 2017

My top three busy mum backpack to shoulder bags

My top three mummy backpack bags

I've just about got past the initial stage of needing to take the world with me when I'm out with the kids.  I'm still lugging an iPad mini around with me for David to stay calm when we are out, juice and snacks etc. But I've got bored of always looking like I'd just walked out of changing room and want to look... dare.. I say it.. nice every now and again.

Thursday 14 September 2017

A big jump forward with a back to front top


To the rest of the world, David has his top on backwards.  But that's not what I see. This was the sight that greeted me as I came down the stairs to make lunch this last weekend.  It made me grin and I picked up my boy and tickled him in congratulations. 

Tuesday 12 September 2017

The five things to know if you are thinking about an Education Health & Care Plan

the 5 things to know before seeking an EHCP

In a few days Jane will start reception.  Our last child is off to proper school.  And it feels a bit odd. Yes it's partly because she is our last and I'm going not going to be running around after her each day, but it feels all too fluid because we've not had to fight for her education.  She's our first child entering school without an Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP) or what used to called a Statement of SEN (Special Educational Needs).

Thursday 7 September 2017

Finding their feet - our favourite back to school shoes

Our favourite back to school shoes

The kids are going back to school. Jane is starting in reception and has had most of her uniform since June. She spent nearly a week wearing it to preschool.  I'm just in the process of grabbing the other bits for Jane and the boys and on the list is more shirts, trousers and.... new shoes.

Tuesday 5 September 2017

My top five most illustrious third child parenting admissions

My top five most illustrious third child admissions  - my three kids

The news is out (as is the bump). The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen to go for a third child. And why not - children are wonderful, each unique and special.  And maybe that's a good description of my parenting... err. unqiue and special?

Sunday 3 September 2017

SEND and SpectrumSunday #56

SEND

It's the first Sunday of the month and so time for Spectrum and SEND Sunday!  Welcome to number 56! Whether the kids are already back or about to go back to school, I hope the summer was good to you.

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