few q's

[jessgray]

jsut a few random thoughts i have
do any of you feel conflicted about working or studying and the issue of childcare?

do you do any programs with your children?if so what?

how has your child with special needs changed your family? have they made you look at life differently? have your friends changed?

[mummyof5]

jsut a few random thoughts i have
do any of you feel conflicted about working or studying and the issue of childcare?
do you do any programs with your children?if so what?
[how has your child with special needs changed your family? have they made you look at life differently? have your friends changed?
In answer to your questions Jess:
I don't work or study, more because it is pretty hard to around a DH in the navy who's posted to sea. Jock does go to preschool 2 days a week, because he needs it, and I must say I really enjoy the break from him
We do occupational therapy, speech therapy and early intervention. These are for both younger kids, varying from term to term as to who does what. Also loads of dr's appointments.
Made it harder, for sure. Feel like the other kids miss out sometimes. But then they are as proud of them as I am when they learn something new...Jock and Bronte certainly make life interesting. They make me look at some things differently for sure, I have to try and think about how Jock processes thoughts, sort of put myself in his head at times, and try and imagine the frustrations, same for Bronte with her lack of communication...also made me gratefull, cause life could be alot worse!
Friends are sometimes put out that I don't want to go places, but some places are just not Jock friendly, and then I don't get any enjoyment from going, IYKWIM. Most of the close ones are as helpfull as they can be, and I am gratefull!

[jessgray]

:hugs: i dont go out much with cody he tends to get overwhelmed and stressed very easy in public places:( its only the last 6-8 months he has been like that.

i feel a bit conflicted about doing a course by correspondence, and i havent even started the course yet:laughing:

[MamaRabbit]

Hiya,

I have been working from home for the past 2 years, I was lucky enough to convince the place I had been working to give it a shot. To be honest with you, now that I have a child with special needs my priorities have changed alot. I had always enjoyed my job but right now it is purely providing a salary so I can make sure Charlie has everything he needs. I am trying to help DH set up a business so I can look at leaving my job and focus on running our business from home. Fingers crossed that pans out.

I do find it exhausting working and managing Charlie's needs, DH works long hours, also the evenings and weekends are often taken up with work so it can be a bit of a single mums life at times. I spend 4 days out of 5 driving him to physio, playgroup, conductive ed, speech, doctors, tests etc....With his condition being rare I then spend alot of time researching and learning as much as possible. I squeeze in my work in and around this, usually into the evening. I am also writing a book for my son - it can be difficult finding the time to do that. But it is important to me, and I enjoy it when I have the chance, so I do try. Being so busy does put a little strain on the family. DH and Sophie also need some loving so I do my best to keep my energy alive for them too. Sophie comes to all Charlie's sessions. They are designed to be like a playgroup so she just gets involved with all the play, singing, dancing, reading etc. It doesn't leave alot of time for me but that's okay, I'll put in the hard yards now while I have a chance of making a difference in Charlie's life.

Admittedly I do avoid certain social situations, mainly people who are ignorant and are likely to upset me with silly comments, I've lost touch with a few people but most of our friends are really supportive and understand the effort we put in so they get really excited about Charlie's progress, even though it seems really small to other people.

I have my off days where I wonder what my life would be like if Charlie could walk and talk....we could spend time at the park, rather than physio and going to the shops would be that little bit easier....perhaps it would make my life a little more enjoyable too, but then I snap out of it and remind myself that if I don't put in the effort and hard work, he'll never achieve these things I dream of. While he is making progress, there is still hope so I really have to put in the effort.

Charlie has taught me just how tough and resilient human life is, the fact that he is continuing to learn despite his troubles is just brilliant. And Sophie, well she is truly amazing the way she just masters everything with little or no effort, she is like my shadow and will prove to be a great help and a friend to both Charlie and me (she is also a real Daddy's princess)....that leaves DH. He knows how hard I work and he reminds me every single day how precious our little family is. We have a very busy life in Sydney, working, trying to build a life and managing the children but if it got too much for me he would whisk us all away in a heartbeat to a little village where we could spend the days happy as. For now though I'm content with him running me a bath and giving me a well deserved back rub from time to time.

Sorry for gas-bagging :ecomcity: , this topic has been a little close to home this week and is something DH and I have spoken alot about. One day I would like to do some study though, something for me, maybe one day when I don't have quite so much on my plate;)

[mama2cierra]

hey jess :wave:

do any of you feel conflicted about working or studying and the issue of childcare?
yes I still feel guilty about leaving C for 8 or 9 hours a day at daycare even if she only goes twice a week but I just think uni will be over soon and its for the very best I can make her future so I just knuckle down and know that soon enough I will be :fingerscrossed: spending more time with her
do you do any programs with your children?if so what?
I take C to playgroup once a week , but its more for my benefit , just to be out of the house and catch up with other mummys. she has a good friend who she has knwn since she was born so thats really good that they see each other.
C isnt a special needs bub as such but she has definately made a huge impact on the family being 1st grandchild and all. relationships with my siblings have changed :gloomy: and all of my old friends have buggered off.

BUT I wouldnt trade her in for the world ! she is so amazing , watching her learn and develop everyday! My sweet little princess Cierra

[marcelsmum]

My DS has mild Autism,,

He is now in school, but staying at home was never an option for me (financially). I always made sure I met all the carers (at his child care center) especially after his diagnosis... I never really had to many problems with anyone (until he reached preschool age when 1 evil woman complained that her son was playing with kids in a special needs class) . The carers all went out of their way with Marcel and I found that childcare benifited him socially, he is now one very socially adjusted child...

When he first went to school, I returned to Uni (I stopped when my little surprise was born) by correspondence I must say working/studying and looking after one sometimes demanding child was a juggle.. But worth It.

I was extremely lucky to find a lady in the family day care system who just loved Marcel and looked after him before and after school.. she had registered an interest in working with special needs kids and also had custody of her grandson (ADHD and Dyslexic) who became marcels best buddy....
If you need someone to assist talk to family day care in your area... see if they have anyone that has registered an interest of working with special needs kids.