Any other SEND parents still awake?

[doubleshotespresso]

Just this and if you are just how do we sustain this?

I am broken but have no choice-this is soul destroyng ..........

Hi, not sure I count as a Send parent but I'm wide awake if you want to talk. I know the ongoing issues with parenting a child with additional needs.

Hey and thanks

It's just been relentless since March I feel like my brain will explode some days

Is it just you? I find being about to tag team with dh helps. The shutting of all medical support has not helped and my child has visibly deteriorated, which only now we can address. How old is your child? Are they attending school again?

Great questions! DH is great in daylight hours but annoyingly useless in the evenings which is my biggest challenge

And there's zero support in our area for the violent challenging behaviours which are horrific at times
School is a yes and a no.
It's basically Pass the parcel. We drop D.C. off-knowing that within an hour or so we will be called to collect.
Unlawful exclusions I know but we are powerless

Sorry to hear about your child that sounds really tough going too

I'm sorry to hear about the violence, that's tough. Mine went through a period of that when he was 7/8.its just before his disability was discovered and looking back I think he couldn't cope with the pain but didn't tell us about it so we didn't know. Instead he acted out. Now we know he has a condition and try to manage it his behaviour is better, although tiredness is a trigger. I know what you mean about evenings, ours are better now but we still have to threaten and cajule into bed.

Yes I'm currently at the top of a bunk bed under a projector light holding tight while the calm finally returns /hopefully into sleep but it's anyone's guess at this time. She's six and this is hell most nights.
And to add insult to injury all I can hear is DH snoring in another room

Six is a difficult age as they dont have the words or understanding to communicate how they are feeling. There are big feelings to deal with and no skills so they lash out on the ones they love, the safe people. I don't have any advice, as each situation is different. I did a lot of emotions and feelings work with my son. He was adopted so we had been taught some of this in the pre adoption training. Lots of drawing pictures and wondering why. It's not helpful in the middle of the night when you're doing your best just to keep going.

I'm so sorry you're struggling. Being a parent to a child with SEND is so isolating and difficult. Our eldest has a few diagnoses and this weekend has almost sent me over the edge. Thinking of you and I hope you are getting some sleep.

Hi, my kids are 13 and 15 now. Just the three of us at home. I remember when my dd was 6 and violent. With support she has got much better.

For me, it’s a day at a time, or the next hour or if really pushed, hanging in for the next five minutes. I’ve had a lot of practice now though😬.

Then I try to choose to be positive every day and to be gentle with myself and the children. Both my children are really struggling and it’s draining. And the staff in school and services also have their own stresses.

And coffee and cake is always beneficial 😁.

Take care. Sending hugs xxx

I've sent you am PM op

Thanks so much for your replies...

I'm normally okay keeping a tin lid on everything but for all sorts of reasons really hit a massive wall yesterday- I've not recovered from lockdown yet, back to school thing has been a living nightmare and I'm just spent.
I've also got seriously stressful meetings at the school this week which is adding to everything- all this on top of what I can only describe as hyper violent stress daily/nightly...

@SleepWhenAmDead if you don't mind me asking what kind of support did you receive?

Thanks for your reply it really helps-as does my daily vat of coffee

@Pacman thanks so kind of you too, I've replied x