The Gap: Part 4 – Summer – return to school 2020

So, the pandemic had taken the wind out of my sails in terms of education provision for Caitlin. And thrown a spanner into the works in finding appropriate provision for Logan... But I had stepped up, I was more than capable for the task just a little ragged. Just as schools were readying to reopen … Continue reading The Gap: Part 4 – Summer – return to school 2020 →

The Gap… Part 2: Winter ’19-Spring 20

Out hardest part of the year is always the last couple of months as birthdays (which trigger the children), Halloween (which scares Caitlin as she still has that young belief that things are real - and the props and decoration could burst into life and get her), fireworks (sensory nightmare) and Advent/Christmas (mega trauma trigger) … Continue reading The Gap… Part 2: Winter ’19-Spring 20 →

The Gap… Part 1: Summer-Autumn 19

So I'm back... A couple of posts over the coming days will explain my absence, some changes will be made to our blog and much news and updating necessary! Here we begin... With all the issues surrounding the children's needs (lack of sleep, high maintenance behaviour issues, needing constant 24 hour supervision, the fact there's … Continue reading The Gap… Part 1: Summer-Autumn 19 →

Adoption: why does it create burnout?

As per my previous post (Burnout) my body is so burnt out that a cold turned into a chest infection. 2 weeks later I'm still getting over it and knowing my body well and how it feels I can see I'm going to be battling chronic fatigue now. This is the result of secondary trauma, … Continue reading Adoption: why does it create burnout? →

Therapy Camp

Well, we have had the most amazing time at camp. Exhausting but amazing. We had gone because the children needed to have SAI (Sensory Attachment Intervention) assessments done. These are assessments which will go beyond a standard Occupational Therapist assessment and tap into specialist attachment knowledge to try and identify which areas flagged are likely … Continue reading Therapy Camp →

Being “just a mum”: pitfalls of friendships

I find myself, quite often, in this situation where I am "just a mum". As you have likely already read, I home educate and am a carer to my adopted children. They rely on me 24/7, and in the past 3 years I have perhaps had around 20 breaks. I don't mean holidays (although considering … Continue reading Being “just a mum”: pitfalls of friendships →

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. →

It’s not a competition!!!

I really struggle with how competetive people seem to think life is. The whole idea of pitting kids against each ther in school. development and achievements. The competivity between parents/carers of "oh, well 'x' was doing that by the age of 'y'...". These aren't anything to do with ensuring your child gets credit for what … Continue reading It’s not a competition!!! →

Hoop Jumping: Endurance and pitfalls

Things have been intense here, hence silence… but it’s because of an appointment that was sprung on us. One we have been waiting for, but was arranged quite last minute. So we left our house at 7:30 in the morning to go to a private clinic (90 minutes away from our house) for a … Continue reading Hoop Jumping: Endurance and pitfalls →