It's nearing the end of Carers Week 2017. My week has been like many others, full of highs and lows, based mostly on the highs and lows of my kids. I have three kids and although I'm 'mum' to all three, I'm also a parent carer to my sons Anthony, age 9 and David, age 6.
I'm their carer because I am someone who "cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support." You may claim that a nine and six year old can't cope without support anyway, but the help and assistance I give my boys goes well beyond that required of a typical child their age.
For Carers Week, I'm sharing a week's worth of my 'caring' (Mon-Fri). Two posts each focus on my boys (a high and a low) and the last is really about me, taken from the last year of caring.
- On a Monday (23rd January 2017) David and I were recovering after spending the previous night at an over night sleep clinic at Evelina's children hospital. into hospital. When your child has no idea what's going on, helping them can be difficult. Read about my Monday as a carer in 'a sleep clinic with a small autistic boy.'
- On a Tuesday (10th January 2017) David showed how he was amazing, but perhaps not in the way people would think. See about my pride in my son in 'To the parents who thought my child was a genius.'
- On a Wednesday (26th October 2016) Anthony found it difficult to cope when tiny things were different in his day. See how we tried to help and prepare Anthony for things but how it can still go wrong on a Wednesday in 'Two changes of direction, two write offs.'
- On a Thursday (30th June 2016), Anthony made me extremely proud. He showed me how he was aware of his difficulties and took responsibility for them. Find out why I was happy on a Thursday in 'Why my autistic son would have a great father.'
- On a Friday (2nd June 2017), I realised how difficult I found it to think about my sons' future - what will happen with them and to them, and how I'm worried about not being prepared. Read about a recent Friday as a carer in 'Dare I think about my autistic sons' future?'
I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse into my Carers Week. How was your week?
This was such a fascinating glimpse into your week - the ups and downs and the unique challenges it presents. It's really illuminating to see if broken down in this way. Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this xox
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it was carers week. I imagine it's hard caring for two little ones needing extra support from you, it's draining enough as it is. I care for a relative living next door to me, it can be trying. #coolmumclub
ReplyDeleteMy son struggled with little changes last week. He's 13 and had to have Friday off school to recover after having his week challenged by a public holiday on Monday and a full-day technology showcase on Thursday. He can now manage his daily high school timetable but if it changes (like it did on Thursday) then he is adrift and needs lots of support to keep it together. You're doing a marvellous job as a carer x
ReplyDeleteSo important to raise awareness, many people have no idea how hard it can be x
ReplyDelete#ablogginggoodtime
Thank you for sharing your week with us, with all the challenges it presented, and with the strength you obviously carry forward from week to week, though I imagine it must be so hard sometimes. Great to highlight that it's carers week. #postsfromtheheart
ReplyDeleteI have read all these posts and loved them over the past year. A brilliant post which really highlights the challenges that so many parent carers face #PostsFromTheHeart
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing , you know i already think that you will a medal. Not for being a career but for caring so much and not just about your own family but about everyone SEND community. #PostsFromTheHeart
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