Primary School Auties 10: Summer and beyond 2022

[LightTripper]

Thread 10.

Ooops, sorry, filled up the last thread without noticing - here we are at THREAD 10!! (How did that happen?)

This is a thread for the parents & carers of children with additional needs. Most of us have autistic/ADHD children in primary school, but anybody is welcome to join us to chat x

Links to previous threads below.

Thread 1
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3080753-DS-with-ASD-starting-school-Sept-2018-I-am-feeling-overwhelmed
Thread 2
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3451020-Reception-auties-2018-19-thread-2
Thread 3
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3628263-Auties-transition-to-Year-1-thread-3
Thread 4
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3748449-Primary-school-Auties-into-2020-thread-4
Thread 5
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3953023-Primary-school-auties-summer-and-beyond-thread-5?pg=1
Thread 6
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4166833-Primary-school-auties-spring-2021-and-beyond-thread-6?pg=1
Thread 7
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4303826-Primary-school-auties-summer-and-the-new-academic-year-thread-7
Thread 8
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4422100-Primary-school-auties-step-into-Christmas-and-the-New-Year-thread-8
Thread 9
www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_needs/4502988-Primary-school-auties-thread-9-spring-summer-2022

Yeah it was super annoying. Went off to watch his iPad and when I shouted through the door at him he went and got his noise cancelling headphones. Makes me laugh a bit now but at the time I was not amused. I always take the key out of the door now.

That is funny but I’d have blown a gasket at the time I think!

Sorry liv that is funny. I need some noise cancelling headphones living with dH sometimes 🤣🤣🤣

Oh Liv - I am afraid the thought of him going to get the headphones cracked me up. My nephew has locked my Mum out before but then stood there watching her, laughing as she got angrier. Her next door neighbour who has a key waa home so his victory was short lived. I feel that I am going to turn into a jailer as I carry the keys around with me.

Journey home was fairly easy but both kids have been very unsettled since our return. Back to work tomorrow

Glad you got home without incident dimples.

Our holiday home is nice, however it’s a barn conversion so all on one level and both bedrooms have emergency-type exits with push handles to open the doors. Absolute disaster safety-wise. In ds’ room we’ve had to move the wardrobe in front of the door to stop him accessing it.

In other news Ds has worn shorts and T-shirts a few times this summer. First time since the summer he was 4, he usually insists on long sleeves and trousers.

Open I got DS to wear a short sleeved t shirt last week - he'll only wear long sleeves normally too

Hopefully not to steer off topic but interested to hear if anyone uses regular help (eg nanny, babysitter etc). We are atm both working full time (tbc if sustaintable) and quite underwhelmed with support from family but also find that ‘regular’ nannies etc seem to run a mile at interview stage when I mention the autism. DD is in childcare 5 days but there are early finishes some days as it’s a bit of a patchwork of providers for various reasons. Any tips for looking for someone (although, I’m outside Uk) or whether it is just best to try and cover it ourselves at much as we can? I’m reluctant to bring another person into her childcare scheme. We will likely have 5 days a week in the same place in a few months (on waiting list for SEN pre school / school)

ahna we’ve never had anyone but I would like to find someone to babysit so dh and I can get out occasionally.

This morning was a bit of a bust for us. Went to the seaside (about 15 mins from here) but ds wanted to leave after 20 minutes and refused to go anywhere. We then went to an outdoor play place which lasted about an hour and 20 mins but also hard work at times.

How has this week gone for you all? It's been a bit calmer here ...hope that I haven't jinxed things.

I took DS to a hospital appointment (endocrinology) on Wednesday. We have been seeing this consultant for a few years and she is really lovely. After the consulting room, DS and I were sprayed with water and the bed moved and seemingly stuck in an odd position she asked how I was getting on with getting ADHD diagnosis (in short nowhere).

DS and I are off to watch a fireworks display competition tomorrow night. I hope that this is not too ambitious- he normally loves fireworks.

dimples how did the spraying with water and stuck bed happen, was it ds or something else?

I started ds watching a couple of episodes of Numberblocks every day these holidays and he’s really got into it. He’s started to learn his times tables which is great, and all sorts of other bits and pieces. I bought him the Learning Resources 1-20 sets to play with too which has helped. We had the free magazine ones but these are much better. He loves having toys that tie in to something he’s watching.

We’re back from holiday and it was a bit mixed. Ds not really keen to do much really but we got out a bit. I think we will reevaluate Easter and do a long weekend in Center Parcs, which I’ve always wanted to do anyway, and see how that is. He loves swimming and I can put him in the front of a bike.

It was all DS Open! I kept trying to redirect DS away from things but post-Covid there isn't actually anything that he was meant to play with in the room and the Dr just kept saying don't worry.

Sorry, that your holiday was a bit mixed but your Center parcs plan sounds good.

Oh dear dimples, hopefully no harm done!

Ds is back to school on the 5th. I’m dreading it really as he still says he doesn’t like it.

We are currently in the Canaries. It’s going ok. Tbf quite DSs cup of tea, lots of swimming in the pool/sea although they have just started a foam party which is my idea of HELL (it was in my younger days so is now), the kids are loving it tho. DS and DD currently in bed (together) having knackered themselves out in this bloody foam, I’m having a wine on balcony. DH off to the hotel gym soon and we are pottering to the beach so better not overdo it or will have 2 drowned kids!

reading everyone’s news so keep posting x

Oh @dimples76 ,stressful but at least professionals can see the impulsiveness etc.
@openupmyeagereyes good luck for the 5th. DS is back then too. Realising how much I'm going to miss him.
@carriebradshawwithlessshoes glad to hear your holiday is going well.
Re: sitters, we only have occasional grandparents to help out, and no wraparound or holiday childcare. I work part time now so it all fits, sort of!

We are currently have a cheeky glamping weekend in a shepherds hut on this lite campsite in Suffolk. Really lovely. Went to forests yesterday and today, also found a really quiet beach, heading now to a nice pub for dinner. Back home tomorrow.
How is everyone else getting on? How's things @danni0509

Little campsite!

I’m living vicariously through your holidays, which sound fun.

last week of the holidays. I need to start prepping ds… he told me the other day that the only thing he likes about school is swimming and they don’t do swimming this term!

Dd is back on the 5th and ds on the 6th. Dreading it really but at least with dd going back a day earlier it will give ds some time to adjust to the idea (I hope).

I'm also living vicariously through your holidays. Same with us susan, we mainly ask grandparents to help but they can't manage anything longer than a night. One year we used Snap care a few years ago to have some help with ds over the summer. It was good but expensive. I think it's only london based too.

Hope everyone else is ok!

liv I think we’re the only ones not looking forward to school starting.

I feel torn re the end of the hols. Overall DS's behaviour has been easier to manage than term time and I certainly haven't missed the challenge of getting us all out of the door on time. Juggling work has been very tricky though and I am looking forward to getting more respite. DS seems positive about going back however DD who is starting preschool on Monday is vociferously unhappy- it is at the same private nursery that she has been going to for 15 months so hopefully she will adjust quickly...

My trip to the fireworks with DS was a huge success. I was torn between watching the display and DS's face - he was thrilled. I found myself crying with happiness. We also had a successful visit to a Roman Fort where they had some re-enactments on today so it's been a good few days here.

Back from the camping and DS said he wished we could have stayed there longer, me too I thought! Big comfy bed, DS asleep early enough for me to have some time with DH, pub dinners and really feeling like a team. Summer has gone too fast and I'm just a bit blah about it all. Feels like it's suddenly autumn and I am looking forward to getting back to normal but will also miss spending so much time with DS. He's so funny and makes me chuckle! Weird to think school starts next week. Ah well, not long til half term!

I mentioned it to ds today open and he started shouting 'NO SCHOOL' to me. Doesn't bode well!

Sounds like such a great time out dimples. I hope dd is ok going to preschool.

That sounds lovely susan.

I've run out of things to think of doing with the kids. My brain is tired from the holidays!

Ha spoke to soon, terrible end to a family visit today. One step forward and two back!

Sorry to hear that Susan. It doesn’t negate all the other good times you’ve had

Hmmm… well we are still on hols are keen to know AIBU??

so DS being v good, calm, enjoying things etc. he is tiny for his age and can be quite clingy with me, I think he feels a bit vulnerable sometimes. So last night had had dinner and went to bar, it was late ish but music on and the kids were fine so we stayed. DD on the tablet, DS snuggled next to me listening to the band and eating some crisps. I was chatting to him and he was grinning at me, usual stuff.

anyway this woman came over, about my age, 2 young kids. She said oh I wanted to say how lovely your bond is with him, it’s amazing! I was a bit surprised, she then said ‘Is he nonverbal?’. I was a bit miffed and thought that was weird… am I over reacting?? I don’t think really we stand out as a family and I must admit I don’t really notice other kids that much unless they are doing something that draws my attention. I also didn’t want to have to explain all about DS to a stranger and until then had just been feeling relatively ‘normal.’

what do you think? I’d never rush over and ask a random person is your child autistic? Do they have adhd? Or comment on their bond… of course they have, they are their mum!

DH saying I’m mad..,??!!!!!

Did wonder if she was salt or paediatrician?! I’m now hiding from her round the pool!