Where do I begin? What an absolute hellhole of a day! Honestly. Started badly and continued to get worse. Since coming back from half term, school has been insistent that Charlie takes his temperature every day before coming into the building, this is something he finds so triggering. And it is such a barrier to his learning . Today, he was meant to have an OT session, but because of a refusal to do his temperature, this meant he was unable to stay in school. Unfortunately, Charlie reacted really badly to this and lashed out, he became very distressed and I didn’t think he would be able to stay. However, it was decided he could still participate but only outside and we could all go on a walk.

The walk was good, fun, he interacted with the other 2 children and the staff and covertly joined in with some autumn nature learning. Best way to teach Charlie, is to do it so that he doesn’t know he is learning, as he has such an aversion to learning. We got really muddy and dirty. However, the OT said she was happy to start Charlie on horse riding and horse therapy, which he will do with one of his classmates. This was probably one of the only positives to happen. When it was time to go, Charlie didn’t want to, so got cross as he wanted to stay with his friends. I have found this week, that getting him there is full of anxiety and difficulty but actually when he gets there he enjoys it and wants to stay.

After we got home, I had a call from my daughter’s school, she is now on a 2 week isolation period because she has been in close contact with someone that has tested positive for covid. She is in isolation but none of us have to isolate, we can go about our daily lives! Not that there is much to do. Charlie doesn’t ever want to leave the house, his brother hasn’t been able to attend college for 4 weeks now and I am furloughed for the foreseeable! So I doubt any of us will be doing much anyway.

Then I had the news my sister’s dog was sick and needed an operation, what a rubbish time for that to come. Her dog has a condition that one of our dogs got and I know how scary that can be. This is concerning for her, and I really understand what she is going through with that.

Finally, when I was back from the food shop (that’s all I seem to do is multiple school runs and food shops) I had a call from Charlie’s school to advise that I was no longer able to stay on the premises when he was in school due to the tighter lockdown restrictions. So it looks like I’m back in the car park!! Not sure if I’m happy or sad, Charlie is definitely not happy, he now hates school and hates the government, and doesn’t want to go back! Always feels like half a step forward and a 100 steps back! Although we did have bonus sleep last night! Charlie got around 6 solid hours! Me however, I got up thinking that he was up and then couldn’t settle back down at around 2am. Unfortunately even with 6 hours sleep it doesn’t change things, days can still be just as unpredictable and just as stressful.

Oh and we have had to buy our own thermometer. It is the only way forward with this barrier, otherwise we will continue to have issues accessing school. We have a new timetable next week, not too sure how that’s going to plan out as I have another child to pick up from school. And that really does make it difficult when considering SEN children the fact you constantly have to break yourself in 3/4/5 pieces just to make sure you get enough of you around! Impossible.

Georgina x