What does your weekend look like with a child with SN?

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Another weekend stuck mostly in the house because we just don't have the energy or enthusiasm to take DS out.

He's 7 with ASD and severe learning disability. Going out means packing pads, drinks and all food and accepting pushing DS around in pushchair as he either refuses to walk or runs off so no-one gets anywhere in any normal time. We have a limited number of activities that the whole family enjoys, everything else feels like groundhog day to do the activities that DS enjoys. I'd just like to throw everyone in the car and go out for lunch but DS won't sit still, draws lots of stares due to his noise and i still have to feed him so it's not the relaxed fun affair I dream of it being.

We are continually trying to strike the balance of trying to make life enjoyable for everyone in the household but just feel so restricted a lot of the time. We know it makes sense to just get out and do something but the faff of packing bags, and working out how to keep DS as happy as possible is just relentless and soul destroying.

I'm clearly having a pity party here and know I've just got to push on through but does anyone else feel the same? Anyone got any sneaky coping strategies I can steal?

Our weekends are stuck in the house also. Unless I'm brave enough to head out and can only expect a meltdown somewhere on the trip which results in lots of tuts from bystanders.
I hate weekends and school holidays. They are the loneliest time.

Weekends can suck hard. DD(5) has Down’s syndrome and ASD and is very hyperactive and determined to do what she wants to do.

We can’t really do a lot of ordinary weekend things together, so DP and I tend to tag-team - one of us looks after DD while the other races around, getting things done. It’s a bit of a treat to be the one doing the washing up or sorting the laundry.

Summer is easier, as we can be in the garden, which seems to calm DD down. Winter weekends can be hell.

Going on holiday is OK-ish - not exactly restful and I get very stressed about sleeping arrangements and keeping DD safe, but her delight at beaches and ice cream make it worthwhile.

We just tell ourselves that DD is developing all the time, and life isn’t always going to be like this.