The anti-back-to-school one

Hooray, the holidays are nearly over!! And as all home educating parents know...this means we can get out into the world again 😆

Ok, I'm being a little factious, but there is a degree of truth in this: for many of us, our children cannot manage to hustle and noise of busy social environments. Or even if they can 'manage', it comes at a cost. This is certainly true of my children. I remember the feeling of absolute relief and joy, seeing them run around a largely empty playground; of interacting (if and when they wanted to) with the small set of other like-minded children out and about on a 'school day'.

The first time I took my children to an SEN session was eye opening. Last summer we went to a country park hosting a giant bouncy castle. It was a school holiday day, but the first session of the day was reserved for children with SEN. It was quieter, more relaxed and the other parents were so understanding. They talked to me!! They listened. We smiled, and laughed, all the while keeping out eyes on our respective children, and understanding when one of us had to run off without warning or apology. For the first time in a very long time I felt accepted - not judged. My children had space and freedom, without the stress of 'more able' (?!) peers looking down on them.

I don't mean to be disrespectful or disparaging to parents of 'typically developing' children, but...

...society has a long way to go before we can truly call ourselves understanding, inclusive and accepting.

This week's small wins

• Sleeping in as long as we want (because we do not have to get "back into routine")

• Playing in our new campervan - more on this to follow

• Twin 1 has again started eating some the foods he used to enjoy

• Twin 2 is forming a lovely relationship with our new carer

• Both boys have been put forward for full ASD assessments