Has anyone on here with a severely disabled child ever managed to work full time?

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

Because after two and a half years of it I have got to the stage where I feel I have lost the plot trying to balance everything.

My work is very flexible. It would have to be - I have to be home for ds1's bus (then go back to work when ge is asleep) and I can never sort out enough childcare in holidays (this half term us typical - he has two days at playscheme so I have 2 days for work).

And yet even with this flexibility I feel everything is piling up on top of me. I need an extra 12 hours in each day.

So if you manage it, how? Share the secret please!

completely agree with anon. given the holidays this week and accompanying sleep deprivation it's no wonder you are feeling grim, and you do sound in dire need of a break.

I was planning to work today but ds1 screamed all day because he woke up too late to see the streetlights still on (which has solved the mystery of why he is waking up in the middle of the night). He's finally calmed down now they have gone on.

I did sneak off to waterstones for over an hour though (bliss)

Ah so it was you snoring in the corner of Waterstones today then

lol

I discovered a huge pile of unused vouchers :bliss:

I hope at least some of them went on non-SN related books (gimlet stare). hope at least now you've cracked the streetlight mystery you get some decent sleep tonight.

I only bought one SN book (a useful one actually - motivate to communicate - 300 games and activities for your child with autism) - I don't really buy that many SN book these days. Most don't really relate to ds1 - I've decided he's a one off (except for Lucy Blackman - I'd buy her books) I did buy ds1 a book of bridges which he absolutely loved!

Wishing you a good nights sleep tonight MrsTurnip

no such luck he was up before I went to bed! He finally settled down about 3am I think but was up again at 6.20am.

ok. I'll allow you one nice and useful Sn book them. sorry last night was rough. Hope you can catch up on your sleep tomorrow - and whatever you do, no housework chores tomorrow, as long as kids are fed and clothed you need to look after yourself.

I have to blinking teach tomorrow!

Oh well at least I get paid extra for it

Now, I am going to clean (house needs it, dh has taken the younger 2 who were being PITA's out).

Loud music here we come......

Actually the lack of sleep has made it all so ridiculous that I am just laughing (manically with wild eyes ) now.

Hysteria has set in, poor you.

DS2 loves his book of "bridges over the Thames" when we go to London he clutches it & compares scenes from the book to the real thing. It keeps him calm, otherwise he could find London a bit too busy & overwhelming but he actually seems to really love it.

oh ds1's favourite books in the whole world are a series books of photos of our home city now and in previous years (so the 2 photos are side by side to compare). When a new one comes out he will sit literally for a weekend or longer studying the pictures.

It's one reason why xmas day worked so well this year - his xmas present was the latest book....