Just need a pat on the back and a 'there there, love'

[TanyaBranning]

I am finding my 6 yr old (AS) so, so hard to deal with at the moment. He is so defiant, everything is 'No' or 'I want'. I am exhausted with it .

I have a decent support network - very supportive husband and mum who lives nearby + we attend a weekly group for families affected by ASC. But it's only a week into the summer holidays and already I feel that every day is a battle. Don't really know what I'm asking for. Sympathy, I suppose!

Sympathy? You got it! "there there, love" and have some or

Regardless of how good a support network you have, some days are just stressful and seem to suck the life out of you. I have had quite a few recently, so I understand completely! I just keep telling myself "nowhere to go but up"

Lots and lots of sympathy and another

Thank you both . I usually tell myself things could be much worse and am pretty good at picking out the positives and thanking my lucky stars I have such a lovely, healthy little boy. But my goodness, there are days/weeks when it is testing. Just had a run of days out / social situations where he hasnt coped well and feel sad that we can't just go out and enjoy the sunshine without dramas

sorry...........have another

We are all in the same boat when it comes to lengthy holidays and change to routine. "No" has been DS favourite word since the hols started unless its food xxxx

We went the sneaky route the other day.. took DS2 to the park in the morning and had him running all over the place (us too as he's a runner and has to be monitored closely!! gasp! wheeze!) and then took him to the swimming pool and let him swim (well, dog paddle with arm bands) and splash around for awhile... then encouraged him to do bowling and cycling games (easy for coordination but take physical effort) on the Wii.... and playing in the rear garden....

pretty much wore him out so he fell asleep fairly early that evening... giving us an extra hour and a half of grown-up time to relax with and television. Ah, the lengths we'll go to, eh?

It took ages before I stopped dreading the summer holidays. Now it's fine but I feel guilty that I struggle to get DS2 (11) to do anything 'healthy' like go to the park or for a walk. So you are in good company!

There there love.

I can relate.

Just had ds1 in here (8) telling me he is useless and that he hasnt achived anything.

I am so tired. Its unrelenting.

(also trying to potty train ds2 which isnt helping)

Becaroooo - we're potty training DS3 - between him and the new puppy I despair of ever having a wee-free carpet!

Yes. ds2 has just wee'd all over the sofa I had cleaned last week

Ds1 just surprised me earlier actually...had a shower rather than a bath!!!

Hey, its something different and thats good