how do you cope in the evenings?

[buzylizy]

I am not having trouble at the moment as dd goes to her room(no she's not naughty!) at about 7 and plays till 8.30 drink/teeth/toilet bed.
But I am starting to think this will not last she is nearly 11 and although she is delayed due to her cp she will soon be wanting to stay up later.grow out of toys. Just the thought sends me in to a panic.

[buzylizy]

Should have said before she has to be up by 6.30 school days.

[getbakainyourjimjams]

I still went to sleep by 9 until well into my teenage years. I think the thing to do will be to get her into her room earlyish but not insist on sleep - I'm not sure how appropriate that is because I;m not sure how independent she is.
For us winter is great- dark nights=sleeping autistic son. Summer is a different matter.

[spursmum]

I know that feeling JJ. I need to buy a blackout blind.

[getbakainyourjimjams]

We have blackout liniing, but he knows!!!! Bouncing wide awake until 10 then back up at 5 Oh deep joy :o I love winter! Bed by 7 up at 7.

[spursmum]

DS isn't that bad. Can usually get him in bed by 9pm but still up at 6:30am with the builders next door.

[buzylizy]

dd is very good at staying in bed in the morning I only get her up that early as it takes forever to get her ready for the bus at 8.20

[Davros]

I'm already dreading summer again...

[sphil]

Oh God - don't tell me summer is going to be WORSE!!

[getbakainyourjimjams]

OK I'm completely obsessed but we all need safespaces :o

I keep thining about inventions that would help families of autistic children. Blackout blinds etc don't work for us becuase the tiny chins of light are enough to keep ds1 awake. Anyone tried shutters?

[giddy1]

I am going to run off with the postman
or anyone who will have me.

[SqueakyCat]

blackout blinds - so useless! I was in DSs room early yesterday (and today, and the day before) and there is SO MUCH LIGHT comes round the edges of the blind. I was wondering about building a wooden 'runner' down each side for the blind to go down inbetween the wood and the window frame. Or at least (and easier) fixing velcro strips to the blind and the window so I can stick them together.
Don't know if it'll help - I'll probably think about it but never get round to it.

Gina Ford (no comment) says she'll only work for families who have blackout blinds and curtains and pelmet! Sadly, can't add curtains at our window. Might add a pelmet.

[buzylizy]

funny if anything my dd is the other way. hates the dark, Used to be ok till ds put a night light in her room.
Just think if it has to be dark at least you save on the electricity

[MeAndMyBoy]

Can I just add a suggestion for the edge of black out blinds?

You can buy self adhesive velcro,(got mine from dunelm, but any haberdashers I would guess would stock it I used it on DS Black linings velcroed the sides to the wall and then rolled up towels across the top to act as a pelmet - I've just had to resort back to the black out as he had started waking at 5.30 again.

Just an idea

H x