This phrase has a slightly different meaning to me than it did before. Before it had obvious roots in alcohol and late nights. But nowadays, here, it has to refer to the post-change-in-routine behaviours that are so abundant the day after.
Unlike the change in routine that occurs around going on holiday, the Bank Holiday weekend sees us staying at home and avoiding the crowds that seem to amass everywhere. It’s like, being Bank Holiday weekend means people have to act like it’s a stay-cation and they become tourists in their own area or just a little further afield. Which is great, people bringing money into the local economy can only ever lead to positive growth for the local economy, and with growth comes security and development right?
There are some negatives come with it… things like litter but I’m teaching the children the right way to deal with that (dropping litter is only acceptable in Mumma’s car, if Mumma is driving and you can’t safely reach the car bin – everywhere else is unacceptable). Or traffic/noise pollution, but hey, without better public transport you’re not gonna change traffic, and with fun often comes noise but it’s not permanent or long lasting so…
But the biggest negative for us comes with the children. Busy places, loud places, public alcohol consumption and boisterous groups. All of these things anxiety triggers for the children. And whilst anxieties like this will need to be worked with in the future, right now they can be avoided and the children have so much they are working on, so we will avoid them, or only have them in small and controlled doses.
But the hangover. After 3 days of “hiding” we get the repercussions of our choices. The built up tension of being stuck in a confined area with one another for more extended periods than usual. Perhaps it’s the release of anticipation of something bad happening (and not coming to fruition) mixed in a bit too. As well as the overwhelming surge of emotion that comes with a sudden realisation of freedom.
Either way, the Bank Holiday Hangover involves no alcohol for me (I couldn’t handle a traditional hangover on top). But is just as physically draining. And I know we are not alone, I hear the same things from other adoptive parents and parents of children with additional needs.
A Pleasant Chaos 