Forgive me, I really don't want to seem like a do-gooder but can I ask a question of you ladies.

[homemama]

I don't want this to sound trite but I've just read Natalie's post about having no time with her NT son.
Is there not a national 'buddy' support network? Is there nothing whereby mums whose kids have SN can be put in contact with mums whose kids are NT but who are in a position to offer a little help?

I mean, I'm not pretending we could give adequate care to your SN child but we could maybe help in other ways, such as pick up shopping/prescriptions/NT child from school or nursery.
Or perhaps have child over for playdate, take out for day with mine etc?

It may be that you child has a disability that we could learn about. Therfore, becoming friends with whole family and child so child trusts us and then SN child could come over for a little so enabling m&d to spend quality time with NT kids.

I don't know! As I said, I didn't know how to write this without it sounding trite or conceited. I don't think I have any answers. I just know how bloody hard it is being a mum and I hate to think of others mums out there struggling.

So I guess what I'm asking is, is there such a buddy system? Natalie, would mums like you see it as helpful or would I just be an interfering old cow! No really?!!!

It's a nice idea.

The Link thing was an abject failure for us - they spent 9 months trying to find a suitable family before admitting that actually no-one on their books wanted to look after DD1 . Now we have Domiciliary Care instead which is a qualified success. But we don't have any understanding friends in the neighbourhood and it can feel very isolated.

Anniebear - you live nearish me - I'm in central Liverpool, you could come with Ellie for tea with me? DS is 3.4, has speech delay and ?ASD/speech disorder (stuck on waiting list till early next year).

(essbee knows me quite well in RL and can vouch for me not being an axe murderer/trucker }