We went away as a family for a group camping trip with 7 other families. All lovely families and lovely friends. Me, D, DS (8) and DD (6, ADS).
It was ok, but so, so painful seeing all the other kids playing together and my DD trying to join in and not succeeding. Not being able to let her go off with the other kids (DH had to go with her rather ruining his holiday), having to keep an eye out for meltdowns, having to put her to bed before the others, seeing other peoples photos and realising that she isn't in them as she is essentially having a different trip to all the other kids. Her brother being embarrassed about her behaviour (which was pretty appalling by the end obviously). Having to get the iPad out at a group dinner as she is losing it. Having to leave whilst everyone else enjoys the kids disco until 11pm. Coming home and me and DH being flat because it is so HARD, DD now being so anxious and tense that we will all be suffering for another week.
Do we go on these trips because they are good for us and it is good to try and do 'normal' things and keep us within a community it do we stop and accept that it isn't for us and we just isolate ourselves further
Oh the heartache of seeing other peoples family lives and the fun their kids have and the friendships the kids form with each other. Sometimes I let myself imagine what life would be like if she didn't have ASD. Our whole life would be so different and unrecognisable and it would be so, so wonderful.
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Negative impact on us all of group camping trip
13 replies
Stradbroke · 27/07/2015 08:39
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zzzzz ·
27/07/2015 16:20
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27/07/2015 19:53
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28/07/2015 13:38
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