With Covid 19 restrictions starting to ease, it made absolutely no difference to our Easter holidays. We are such home bunnies, we didn’t venture too far. We had a failed attempt at meeting a friend from school, anxiety was a killer that day. A trip out to a rock climbing centre, a trip to see the cousins, lots of Easter eggs, snow, 24 hour challenges, little sleep and a new hobby.

Easter has been rubbish, simply because it was at the start of the holidays, then we have spent 12 days doing just about nothing and it has been a very long 2 weeks! As well as this, it is always advisable that your child takes a break from melatonin. Although Charlie isn’t on clinical/medical melatonin and it is herbal I have still given him a break. This means we have had A LOT of 1am, 2am, 3am bedtimes and 24hr challenges. Beyond exhausted! But we carry on! Well we have to really. It has been nice knowing we didn’t have to get up at 7am although for Charlie he seems to still get up at that time regardless.

I will be very grateful for when Tuesday comes around. Although, we did attempt to go and see one of his school friends the demand and the anxiety of it all meant that it was not achievable. And that is when I realise that Charlie will always be excluded, whether it is from education, activities or social engagement, the world just doesn’t account for his wellbeing.

We will always try again with the friend, it is not lost. There will hopefully be more opportunities for Charlie to enjoy social activities and building friendships.

The short breaks plan is working great. Charlie went to an indoor rock climbing centre on the first session. However, it was too busy and as the parents/carers weren’t allowed to sit down and meals and drinks were takeaway only Charlie couldn’t manage this. So they ended the session early. I was actually ok with this, he was still gone for 2 hours and he still enjoyed his session with his respite carer. However, the 2nd session was a different story!! Charlie struggled that morning. He was volatile and aggressive, having no structured activity was not positive for him and he ended up in a meltdown. Eventually the carer persuaded him to go to McDonalds with her and then they took a drive to Ashbourne and Charlie loved it! And since, we’ve done another couple of trips up there. I think this is going to be his new favourite thing to do. Just the drive, we’ll not be getting out and doing anything, just the drive.

Apparently, tonight we’re doing another 24hr challenge. I hope not!

Georgina x