To feel sad that we won't be able to do this

[Rainbowsandbutterflies1990]

I'm currently sitting in hotel reception with my 6 year old autistic non verbal daughter who has significant learning disabilities. She is awake , we have booked a 2 night stay to see friends for weekend and last night she was awake from 4.30 am (while at home)then didn't go sleep in hotel till 1.30am so was nearly awake 24 hours hours. And because my husband was driving the 4 hours I had to let him sleep and me be with her. So I was awake too with her. And now sue went sleep at around 9 pm last night(which is actually quite good) but been awake since 1.45am and looks like she will be staying awake now. And as husband is driving home the 4 hours home today I'm with her in reception. Just really sad we have another child. So I've left them to sleep. Just feel sad that this isn't something we can do again and a lot of things are becoming too difficult. And I'm obviously feeling exhausted 😩

We are away with our son atm, also autistic, we make his bed exactly the same way at home. Three bed guards and place one side up against a wall. We take his duvet, his three pillows and ALL of his soft toys 😬 😂. We don’t wash any of his bedding so it smells familiar. We also keep to same bedtime routine and timings. Friday night it worked a treat and he slept through, last night was more challenging as he woken at 12 until 5. Last year we didn’t bring his comforts and it was awful - never again. I think yesterday we did too much so today will be more of a low-key day.

for the posters saying you’ve been dealt a horrible hand in parenting, just ignore. I hate it when people say that s* to me if I dare to ask for advice or have a little moan. I’m not sure if you’re similar but I 100% feel I have a good hand - my son is adorable, quirky and just like my husband who is the best person I know. Autistic children are not to be feared, just takes a little more thought and time to take care of them as they need so they’ll thrive. Good luck.

She has no awareness of danger or appropriate actions ,she would jump in toilet or try and open window or break anything or turn tap on she could so anything and if I was alseep I wouldn't know.

We have been given additional hours just no where has space currently so on waiting list, well for one thing, one thing there isn't even a waiting list!

We tried caravan last year and was nightmare as it doesn't have a lock out of reach on main door so she would just escape, I had to take her to toliet with me when my husband had shower as just couldn't leave her at all! We have stayed in Lodge which is sometimes OK as some have double patio doors as a door and they r not lockable from top. We have stayed at butlins and they have top lock and we loved it there. My mum and dad came and they had girls for few hours and felt like proper hoilday so we do thankfully have that. And we have spoke to friends and they was thinking of us all going butlins so maybe our friends meet up could be there in future, I've had 3 hours , my husband has took younger girl out for breakfast and my autistic daughter is alseep in room so at least younger daughter is out and enjoying herself.

I was a bit confused by this comment as she has significant learning disability that's also why she is non verbal. Her understanding has actually improved from when she was first diagnosed at 2. But way off what a 6 year old would typically understanding. She now understands 'stop' not that she will always stay when she hears it! A nd a few other words.

Some of our best/easiest holidays with young kids were winter weekends at a hotel with a nice pool, not too far from home. If it wasn’t too far you could maybe even check it out before visiting to see if doors and windows were secure enough.