My DS (NT) is desperate for a break - wants to quit everything at the moment (music, both his after school clubs, his Saturday morning activity, didn't want to do holiday club), so hopefully it's just tiredness and he'll get back into some of them after the holidays. I think I'm going to drop at least one of the after school sessions after Easter and I'm hoping the holiday will be a bit of a reset for him though we're dashing around the country a bit visiting family. He does usually enjoy that though so hopefully it will be "a change is as good as a rest". He's not a massive reading fan and school suggested that he re-read books when I asked for an extra book to be sent home, which I also declined to do! So it seems to be a common thing but I can't think of any children I know who would willingly re-read that kind of book again as soon as they've finished it. I don't think my sanity would stand it let alone DS's. We also now just read something from home or from the library if we get through DS's book from school too quickly.
I've been off the thread for ages so just catching up with everyone's news! It was lovely to read about your good SALT experience @carriebradshawwithlessshoes - any more news on the AAC? Does DS use AAC at home, I can't remember, or would that be a completely new skill he'd be learning at school? Very encouraging either way! I also can't believe all the shenanigans with the consultant though. Even for an NT kid bloods are not to be taken lightly - I can't believe she sent you off on a wild goose chase like that, poor DS. I hope you get at least an acknowledgement that they fucked up and will be more careful in future.
@dimples76 I felt for DS falling asleep at 3 after the party - shows how hard he was working internally! I agree with the others it makes sense to go for the secondary you think will work best regardless of what they say is possible. I know some of the Mums around here have added super expensive alternatives and believe that got them the (cheaper) school they actually wanted but of course you never know what would have happened if they'd just listed that one. I do think sadly pushiness pays off quite often though.
@Ahna65 I don't know if it's still relevant but one nanny we interviewed had been making up photo albums for one of the families she worked for, and I thought that was a good idea - I never get around to doing anything with photos so it's constantly on my to do list, but I'm now only working about a day a week and they're still not getting done, so I suspect the kids will be grown up and out of the house by the time I actually get around to it....
@Jules912 I'm keeping everything crossed DD is well enough to go and enjoy herself tomorrow. I'm sorry this is probably a very naive question but why does school not want to get an EHCP for DD? If they are struggling to provide the support she needs from their standard funding surely that's exactly what an EHCP is for? I hope you get some proper support from them either way though - I do think the gap between struggling and coping can be quite small accommodations that just help smooth the most stressful bits of the day.
@openupmyeagereyes it's great that DS managed a longer day at school and a good parents evening - do they seem confident that he's on a good trajectory now with enjoying things more? I enjoyed the Christine McGuinness documentary too (and I have to admit that having seen the previous doc and been quite disturbed at some of Paddy McG's attitudes I was quite pleased to hear they're not together any more). I still haven't finished watching the Chris Packham ones yet but hopefully I'll have time over the next few days.
Is anyone else watching A Kind of Spark on the BBC? I've only seen the first couple of episodes but it's very well done and a good story.
We're also going to see the Mario movie - though I really wanted to see the Mummies one more (we saw a trailer and it seemed really funny) - we might go to that in the week after Easter I think.
I never really had problems with the tube/buses in London while pregnant in the sense that once I got visibly pregnant I felt people offered me a seat quite often but I didn't really need one by then, as I was lucky to have a fairly easy late pregnancy. The bit where I struggled was early on when I didn't look pregnant at all. I did have to ask for a seat a couple of times then but I just said I was feeling ill (which was true!) and each time the person did give me a seat (I think it was probably the fear of being vommed over as much as anything!)
DD was invited to a party today which was nice as she so rarely is. She really falls between two stools as she doesn't really socialise with the other girls at school (she either plays football with the boys or reads her book), so understandably doesn't get invited to their stuff much, but the boys often just have boys-only football parties (which is also understandable and DD doesn't know that much about football and isn't good compared to them as OH and I know nothing about it and haven't taken her to football clubs and camps and stuff like most of the boys have been on). So I do feel that she misses out a bit and it was nice to see her being included and having a nice time! I was a bit scared inviting classmates to her party but actually everyone said yes (possibly because we are doing something quite good - bribery wins every time!!) - so looking forward to that too (in a slightly terrified way) but it's not for a while.