Stress

So, I’m going to just say it how it is folks. It’s hard right now in our little family bubble.

I’m not a moaner, or someone who seeks attention of any kind from people. I just get my head down, and get on with it… that’s just what I do. How I was raised, I guess.

But having this page, has kinda taught me to open up a little, and to let people in. Especially other special needs parents.

So many of us these days, are going through very similar things behind closed doors, but no-one seems to talk about it, or try to understand.

It’s very much… each to their own. And me personally, I don’t like that. (Hence why I started our page… to try and share, and help others). I sincerely hope that it works like that though!!!

So, in the past, on our page, I’ve talked lots about our house being in such a mess, and this is obviously common in autism households anyway, but with a large family added on to that, it is just mayhem at times.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change a thing about our lives. I love our family with all of my heart, and I love my life.

(All I would change, if I could, would be the daft things, like, the lack of space in our home, and not enough hours in the day to get things done!)… like, when you run around after the kids all day, do school runs, feed everyone, bathe everyone, do homework with the bigger kids, and try to organise a house that is already in complete disarray. With no ‘extra’ time or money to decorate or declutter the mess… 😱😱😱

I would never try to blame any of the kids for the mess at home, (as it’s me as much as them!), but when you see the magnitude of what actually needs done on a daily basis, it really is overwhelming… And you start to snap at the kids, and hubby, and you become a version of yourself that you don’t like very much.

And also, when you have the ‘everyday’ things like this going on, and add to that Cammy’s autism… his lack of danger awareness, constant sensory needs, food fixation, ipad addiction, self injurious behaviours, and general frustrations from a complete lack of any direct communication… it really is hard to deal with a lot of the time. 💔

Some days are just ‘get on with it’ type days, and others are ‘drag yourself out of bed’ to do it all over again days.

I don’t say any of these things to call out Cammy on anything, of course not! He is our son, and we love him regardless of anything he does, or ways in which he acts… and of course we have accepted autism as a part of our lives now, we have embraced it, (as autism is also part of our son)… Cammy would not be Cammy without it!!!

But sometimes it’s just tough.

…And it’s ok to say so!

My hubby also works full-time in a VERY physical labouring job, and any additional help from him at home is just so difficult to ask for when he is so physically exhausted after work, that he is falling asleep as soon as he sits down… and weekends at the moment aswell are just ‘no go’ zones with everyone being so exhausted from during the week. (I mean, add to that, sleep deprivation from the little kids night wakings, or when Cammy pulls an all-nighter… it’s just rough! It really is guys).

And many autism parents struggle … I mean REALLY struggle. And we just get on with it!

Sometimes folks, we just need to say how we feel though. To vent even. To just let it out.

And then, at least some of the stress can begin to be released.

We have been very lucky the last few months to get a night out, or overnight stay somewhere, while Granny takes the reins for a while, and this really has been an absolute lifesaver for us… (Thank you Granny!)… but lots of people out there aren’t so lucky. They have no support, and no breaks from it all. 😢

So folks please… If you are a special needs parent, or you know one. Please, just open up to eachother!!!

The statistics are just frightening otherwise. We just need to talk about things like this.

Be open guys. And just be kind to yourselves.

(Pic was from this weekend… we got a night out in Glasgow… again, all thanks to Granny) 💕

Love to you all. ❤️❤️❤️ x