Today has been extreme. It is really hard to explain what the small changes impact on Charlie’s daily life. Up until now we were having a really rubbish week and things had been very tricky. Charlie had only managed 3 hours on Monday and it was such hard work getting him there, we didn’t manage to get there until 10.30am and I was really expecting him not to go at all. It’s times like this that I realise how lucky we are that Charlie only lives 10 mins drive from school. His classmates live in Lichfield and Sheffield! And have a really long drive in the mornings. Of course, it is just pure luck that the school was built so close and for that I am forever grateful.

Mondays are notoriously bad for us, the transition from home to school on a Monday is hard work and very challenging. After school because the weather was so good, I didn’t want to go home so we went to the park to play a bit of tennis and have a walk around and it was really nice. We both really benefited from it.

Tuesday was just as bad, and I struggled to get him in and then he wanted picking up early. It was becoming a pattern. It was then I realised that I couldn’t start a new job. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate or manage to take on a new role and new environment knowing how much Charlie struggles just to get in and it is definitely not in Charlie’s best interests for me to think about continuing my career.

Wednesday was slightly better, we arrived on time, but he got in and out the car several times and by the time I had driven away from the school it was gone 10am! By some miracle he stayed the whole day, however, he had swimming first thing and then horse riding in the afternoon! Excellent! Charlie has always received horse riding really well and it’s really beneficial for him. So Wednesday will probably now be his favourite day of the week.

Today, we didn’t get there until late again, after dropping his sister off at school, we then HAD to go to McDonalds, I forgot that was the plan and went to school as normal, Charlie freaked out and we had to back track back again! We got to the drive thru and one lane was closed!! Finally got to school around 9.40am which wasn’t late in the grand scheme of things. Not in comparison to the previous few days. However, I did have work today and I walk a friend’s dog on a Thursday morning so it was a bit of a rush.

Charlie thankfully had a positive day and tomorrow he has swimming again, so no doubt he will find tomorrow a breeze! I wish he could go swimming every day, it would certainly make a difference to our life. As for updates, we’ve been paid the short breaks entitlement for 100 hours! What a relief, knowing that there is literally a pot of gold to fund respite is unimaginable, the joy this gives me. Still no news on the DLA, I rang yesterday and despite them having the renewal forms in March, it still hasn’t been assigned to anyone. And the paperwork for his EHCP annual review has arrived (again, because the one in February was cancelled) I am hoping I have the time to go through it and see if there is any changes I need to be aware of since the last one.

Never a moment’s peace for sure.

Fingers crossed for a full day at school tomorrow. And then I’m actually having a night away Saturday, Charlie’s dad has stepped up the co-parenting (woohoo) it takes a lot of effort and communication from the both of us, to make sure Charlie is parented to the best of our abilities, and for once it is in my favour! I haven’t had a child free night away since July 2019 so I am really looking forward to it!

Georgina x