Am supposed to start volunteering for SNAP tomorrow, can't sort out my own SN family who am I kidding I can do this?

[starfish71]

Am just getting this down in the hope I will decide if I can really do this or not.

Have two boys both have autism/Aspergers, issues with both at moment. Had a tricky day today especially with eldest and I have applied for this volunteering, just in their helpline at first and have agreed to a meeting at their office tomorrow afternoon.

I feel I can't do it, if I am honest all I want to do tomorrow once the boys get picked up for school is make myself a cup of tea and go back to bed.

DS2 did melt my heart this morning when he peered at me and said "happy anniversary" instead of Mother's Day. DS1 I love dearly but he has been
sooo infuriating today.

It is only people like you who can help others because you know hw hard it can be and you know you are not perfect. You will find you have lots of insights for others, will probably learn a lot and at the very, very least will help someone else feel they are nt the only ones struggling. Good luck!

Sorry, I think I would replace 'strugglng' with 'dealing with this' as I don't mean you are not coping.

Thanks polterGoose, may still 'postpone' meeting, feel rubbish at moment.

But I do take your point that dealing with other people's issues is easier! Am looking forward to the training as it will probably help our family too. Hope I feel but more positive in morning.

Oh yellow I am struggling! I know I need to be doing something and this is the area I know best, battling, pushing, chasing up support for the boys.

Just think should I get my own two sorted then volunteer or hope this will help me as well supporting others. Will put my wine glass down I think and try and sleep on it.

I wouldn't wait until you are sorted, no, helplines are about real people sharing experience, so ou are perfect. Try it, honestly it might really be great.

The charity will advise you and help you.

Sleep well!

ok well I think you would be the right person for the job so to speak :)

Major important factors:

1. If a parent feels useless, you will have empathy towards that parent and wont belittle the things she has told you she has tried.

2. Its ok even for a volounteer on a helpline to say "you know what?" I am as baffled as you with that one! So lets put our heads together and see what we can come up with.

3. they are not your children so you are not emotionally attached. Its a bit like helping someone else do they housework or cleaning and really rolling your sleeves up to help JUST because its not your mess!

YOU WILL BE FINE x

Thanks coff33pot for support. Had a call about an hour ago, interview had to be changed as lady who does interviews off sick today.

New appointment for Thursday. Will re-read this Thursday morning x

Make sure you do and good luck! :)

Remember as well as great advice I am sure you will give the major thing that may be lacking in some poor distraught parents life right now could be someone just plainly saying...

"oh my no wonder you are at the end of your tether"

In other words support that it is recognised that they are doing a great job but also having someone else acknowledge and understand just how tough it is.

THAT goes a long way :)

Will report back Thursday! Thanks again coff33pot x

Good luck. And see, even the interviewer isn't superwoman, she's poorly!

starfish71 how did all go? :)

Sorry I forgot to report back yesterday. :)

I went, had a really good chat, was there ages. I have signed up to go on a two day training course (SEN an overview) next week!

Am very nervous but they all seem nice and I can do the training, go in for a couple of hours a week and if it goes well build it up a bit.

Ooh can't believe I actually went! Just have to make sure I don't talk myself out of doing the course over the weekend!

Well done Starfish! You'll be great.

yay! glad it went well :)

Hope you enjoy the course!