Just updating…

So, another busy week in the Chaos household. Still getting sorted from the house purchase, been cleaning the old house and getting that emptied. And somehow trying to keep the children occupied, and mostly succeeding. Next week, if all goes to plan, we will be giving the keys to our old house back and saying … Continue reading Just updating… →

The Bank Holiday Hangover

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 … Continue reading The Bank Holiday Hangover →

DO NOT GIVE UP!

So, the day started with the best intentions of actually chilling. We are only a short few weeks into having purchased our new house and it's been a bit of a mission. Aside from the general moving into a house-ness, the children being challenging etc. The garden is a mess. Brambles, bindweed, broken concrete path. … Continue reading DO NOT GIVE UP! →

Who’s fault is it anyway?

I often get asked why the children aren't "over it" yet. By "it" they mean the trauma of their past, by "over it" they mean, why haven't they opened their eyes to see how lucky they are? Well, you see, tonight a perfect example of how differently their brains are wired just got thrown at … Continue reading Who’s fault is it anyway? →

Real empathy… where did it come from???

So today, I was floored. A close family member's leopard gecko died. The children love it - they go straight to the room where the gecko lives every visit and are very excited to handle her. So I knew they'd probably feel sad about it. Logan is someone who feels his own sadness, usually more … Continue reading Real empathy… where did it come from??? →

So…. um… yeah, I made it happen!!!

I said we had problems with our agency. And that if they didn't want to resolve the issues I'd be leaving. Well... a little update on that covered in a few points below: I reported them to the Property Ombudsman, not sure how much I can disclose about it, but they have my records, and … Continue reading So…. um… yeah, I made it happen!!! →

Raw, unfiltered, unedited: Sleep deprivation and manipulation.

Another night of no sleep with a child refusing to, in order to manipulate and control. A fear response. They aren't in control, they are not safe, an adult cannot provide safety. So manipulate adults in to getting what you want (note, the want and not need there). What they need is sleep... not this … Continue reading Raw, unfiltered, unedited: Sleep deprivation and manipulation. →

Labels and things

So. Caitlin was given a wheelchair just before Christmas, which was a massive relief because, frankly, I just can't keep lugging her around in a toddler carrier - she's not heavy as such, but she's getting long and so it is very awkward. And, in all honesty, it's kinda sad for her, she's very independent … Continue reading Labels and things →

Can I not just divide myself into several persons?

NB, This was also written before my laptop broke so posting retrospectively Breakthroughs, transitions, ups and downs... busy chaos. Pleasant and shifting. Time consuming and exhausting. But sometimes, glimmers of the things that could be closer to the "normal" we dream of, and hope for. Our life goes like this at times, we just have … Continue reading Can I not just divide myself into several persons? →

A quick update Jan 18

NB. This one was written but seemingly never posted... It's been a little while since I posted - major reasons for that: Agency causing friction between us and the landlord, landlord turns up confrontational, tell children to go upstairs (to the safe comfort of their rooms) - too late, damage done, complete and outright refusal... … Continue reading A quick update Jan 18 →