what on earth do you do with little ones on days like this?

[smugtandemfeeder]

I'm avoiding busy places as DS freaks out. Staying at home is depressing us all. Outside looks wet grey and even more depressing. What on earth do you do all day? I no longer have any idea, I just know I can't stay in the house all day watching DS have meltdowns.

I usually end up going for a walk somewhere quiet and often a bit depressing, but at least it gets us out of the house. I find it more fun when with someone else I can gossip to. Do you have any other mums with SN kids who could go with you? There are probably loads of other parents trapped in the house with their dc's. I think this is a pretty common problem particularly with ASD and ADHD kids who find social situations tough. FWIW I know how you feel. I now enrol ds1 in an SN playscheme when available as he enjoys it and it means we can at least go out. I get very pissed off being inside all the time and really dread the xmas hols as there is no provision.

I suppose it depends on age but we try to get out, even if for an hour at the park or round the block with the bikes. Then try to make indoors fun, balloons, bubbles and party lights, under table blanket tents...DD will go in these for hours, carpet picnics, invite friends over...mine rather than DDs or toddlers she likes to chase and we sometimes brave the sticky, glue, paint and glitter. :)

highly thrilling expeditions to local shop to buy single non-critical item can be good...

Another one here who would wrap up and go out in the morning, quiet gentle walk , usually collecting things ( leaves twigs etc) that could be 'crafted' into something in the afternoon indoors.
( the amount of foiliage I had in the house was unreal.. Ds2 is an avid collector).

Yesterday at school, my DS2s class went camping. The teachers set up a tent, had a pretend fire, ate marshmallows and hot dogs (don't know if that was real - i think probably not!) They sang songs and had blankets around them to keep warm. They told stories about favourite days etc. He absolutely loved it. First time he has ever volunteered information as to what he did. I might try a home holiday in the house at christmas - we can all sleep in sleeping bags!

Aaahh auntevil.. that sounds lovely, I wonder if the teacher is a Guide or Scout leader??.

Smug... I invested in a really good set of water proofs and went out in all weathers. Even if it was only for an hour, and the play area is always quiet in the rain.

We were lucky that we had to do the school run twice a day so didn't feel like I had been in the house al day.

Got it in 1 Ineed2 - She's a Brownie leader. Brilliant MS teacher who loves including SN kids. To me this is how primary school should be - happy and fun. I bet she found ways to get a bit of learning in too!

She sounds great Auntevil, I think there would be loads of learning in that lesson, Social skils,
Speaking and listening,
Music,
Counting[marshmalows]
Sharing[blankets and marshmallows]
Turn taking,
Fire safety.
I could go on but I won't.
Buy her a big box of chocs for xmas, she sounds worth it.

Great ideas! We have Just set up a tent in the sitting room and he's in it enjoying himself for now. I haven't the energy to read or play any games with him at the moment but I'm sure some alone time is better than cbeebies. DH is home 3 days during the week but even with two of us we struggle to keep him happy

We all went swimming this morning which is the only thing DS always enjoys. We still get huge tantrums at going home time but at least he has fun.

I find walks hard as he always wants to.control where we go and has a meltdown when we have to go home.

argh! I just used every ounce of energy I have to get myself and two children to my local sure start center, and they have changed the Thursday session to.a Friday as of today. Argh! I'm so stressed, sitting in car. No idea what to do now other than go home. Last time I went to the park I couldn't control DS and he ended up running straight into a giant swing covered in teenagers and knocked himself out.