tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73381631136962619602024-02-07T09:27:32.998+00:00The Blog of Mummy PMummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-89414469217568319752018-12-07T12:46:00.002+00:002018-12-07T12:46:44.874+00:00Parents Evening<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwKSd5qpQxjRGqMPO2E22iYwHImwUPhctRuQkBe740RRdcpTwptDjAC_EZ0IOUvnQGKBkcYjAfyNZbyix2PP6-G4imPEjC33TqwC3JAL6cM0G5XM8Kj9em-iBL1eiTSQiSNRgEeIQoyM/s1600/parents-evening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="850" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwKSd5qpQxjRGqMPO2E22iYwHImwUPhctRuQkBe740RRdcpTwptDjAC_EZ0IOUvnQGKBkcYjAfyNZbyix2PP6-G4imPEjC33TqwC3JAL6cM0G5XM8Kj9em-iBL1eiTSQiSNRgEeIQoyM/s320/parents-evening.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Parents evening for Picklepot was
actually a pleasant surprise. We were told that he is a very intelligent, very
capable, very witty and very well mannered boy who is a credit to us and how
hard we work with him. The teacher said he is a joy to have in the classroom –
most of the time – and when they went to the residential home to sing Christmas
carols on Wednesday (yes, he went in the end) the residents said he was very
well mannered and polite and a very charming boy. He made friends with one of
the residents and had a good old talk with him, and when I picked him up from
school on Wednesday he was telling me all about this gentleman, and how he’d celebrated
Christmas as a child.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With his maths work, Picklepot is
very clever, but she needs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>him to get
his times tables learned well as he needs them as the ‘backbone’ for the
upcoming work. He is superb with maths, but he doesn’t know his times tables
well enough and this will hold him back from further advancing as Year 4
continues. His English written work is very good and he has a great grasp of
language and words and their understanding, his reading is fantastic, but he
needs to learn to put things in writing for the work to be completed – his impatience
to get the writing part done as quickly as possible results in him making
mistakes that he could avoid if he took some time over the writing, and he
often tries to use clever words or language without doing so properly – he needs
to learn to walk before he can run, in her words! His grammar is not so great,
but he’s working on it, and it was the one thing that on his part of the
feedback paperwork he’d listed grammar as something he finds difficult, so in
the New Year I’m going to find him a work book that he can do additionally at
home to help him with that. She said his artwork is brilliant, he loves drawing
and has a real flair for it, and the feedback from the after school coding club
was that other than the one incident I knew about when he lost his temper, he
has worked very hard and picked up the work very quickly. The teacher who runs
it feels he has a flair for it and if he decided to continue with coding he
would go far.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all it was really nice to
have a chance for a proper chat with Picklepot’s teacher – as she said, when we
catch up at the end of the school day and she has things to tell me she kind of
ends up offloading all this negativity onto me of what has gone wrong in a day
but often there has been great moments too and she doesn’t get time to convey
them or the bad moments have overshadowed them, so to be able to speak with her
was good. We discussed the communication book and she said she’s going to make
sure that comes home regularly for me – the period it was not coming home, she
was not in the classroom at the end of the day so she hadn’t been able to
ensure it came home – we discussed the fact that the connection between him
being slow and missing out on the residential home trip wasn’t clear for him as
there was no logical connection and she said OK that’s a good point I
understand what you mean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I did raise with her the fact
that break time and lunch time has been taken away in order for him to finish
his classwork. I said to her that I totally understood he needed to do the
work, that was not my issue, but I was concerned that if he didn’t get time out
of the classroom to run around and let off steam then it would make things more
difficult in the next lesson to get him focused on task and not be extra fidgety.
She said just to make it clear, he’s not missing whole break times or lunch
times. If he’s not been concentrating in class and hasn’t done enough work I
give him a choice – he either does it in classroom time like everyone else, or
he’ll be staying in at break or lunch until it is done, the choice is his. She
said she doesn’t enter a discussion about it, just gives him that information
and walks away. A few weeks ago this would have had him throwing a fit and
chucking things about yelling but now she said she hears him huff and sigh for
a moment then when she looks back at him he is getting on with it. At the end
of the lesson when everyone else goes out for break or lunch, he stays in to
finish the task and she said normally it’s very quickly done by then because he’s
keen to finish it and get out so he only tends to miss a couple of minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I said to her I didn’t want her
to feel that I was bombarding her with notes / messages but that I felt clear
communication between the school and the parent was important and she agrees
with me and encouraged me to continue as I have been which is reassuring. She
said sometimes Picklepot does come out with things such as “my mum says I don’t
have to do that” and I said if he does, just call me and ask me, I have no
problem with you phoning me, or emailing me, or texting me, and asking me, because
I know that it’s a bad game of Chinese whispers between the teacher, and
Picklepot, and me, and I don’t want anyone getting annoyed or upset because
they’ve taken what he’s telling them as gospel truth and not finding out how
the conversation actually went. There’s never been a point I’ve said to him he
doesn’t have to do anything to do with school so I don’t know where he’s got
that from but it’s something he seems to like repeating about PE, work he finds
boring or too hard etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all I was happy with the
meeting and feel like we’re on the same page at last. I asked her about the
organisational side of things and said it was something he really struggled
with, so we’re going to try implementing some new ways of reminding him into
the classroom and into home life to support him further.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-28469995005879742452018-12-04T11:35:00.001+00:002018-12-04T11:35:50.631+00:00One Step Forward - Two Steps Backward<br />
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Picklepot had a much better week
last week and I had hoped that we were through the rough patch but then
yesterday his teacher mentioned a few issues to Daddy P when he went to do the
school run. Apparently Picklepot is taking too long to complete his schoolwork so
they are taking away half his break time to finish it off – I have an issue
with this purely for the fact that he needs the time at break to run around and
let off some excess energy, so if he’s not getting the full amount of time to
do that they’re then expecting him to sit down and focus while he’s still too energised
and hasn’t had chance to release some of the energy. I’ve already said to the
school – many times before – that they can send schoolwork home for him to
finish after school, as I feel this would be more beneficial for them as it
wouldn’t cause disruption to the rest of their day as he would have had full
break time and chance to go wild and then come back into the classroom and
refocus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In addition to this, the class
are due to go to a residential home tomorrow to sing Christmas carols for the
residents, and Picklepot has been told that he might not be allowed to go if he
continues being so slow at getting himself sorted out. Yesterday he was the
last one out of the class by a long time, he came out carrying his coat (the
others had all put their coats on) and when we got home we discovered he didn’t
have any of his books with him that he needed. Again it’s something I’ve spoken
to the school about before, it’s all part and parcel of the ADHD diagnosis that
he finds planning and organising difficult, and that he gets easily distracted.
It isn’t that he’s deliberately taking so long, or that he is so forgetful, but
he needs additional support in place. Historically teachers have allowed him to
have a checklist on or nearby his desk to ensure he doesn’t forget anything,
but the teacher this year seems to think that it’s time he learned to remember
things and I’m not convinced she understands that it isn’t something he can
learn to do. I know adults with ADHD who rely on check lists to make sure they
don’t forget anything! I think she’s expecting too much for a child of 8 with
the additional needs he has. I also don’t see the connection between him taking
too long to get his stuff together and get out of school at the end of the day
and him missing out on going to the residential home – to me, this is not a
logical consequence, so how on earth is he meant to understand that connection?
If he was late out and it meant that he couldn’t go to the park on the way home
because we’d run out of time, or he couldn’t go to an after school club because
it was too late, then that would be logical to say it’s because he took too
long getting out of school, but I think missing the residential home trip is a
tenuous link to say the least.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Friday, the class had maths
homework set, but Picklepot says he wasn’t aware of this homework being set so
he didn’t bring his maths book home over the weekend. The teacher says the
homework was definitely set and other children in the class are aware of it so
she is blaming Picklepot for not listening / daydreaming. I am blaming the fact
that yet again it was not noted down in his homework diary – as I have asked
them to ensure all homework is, yet they’ve not done it since the start of the
September term despite agreeing with me that it was a good idea – and I am blaming
the fact that the home-school communication book hasn’t been sent home since
the first night it came back, two nights after my meeting with the SENCO and
the headmaster about the difficulties Picklepot was having at school. The idea
was meant to be that as well as letting me know how his school day had been,
they could also note down homework in that, but as we haven’t seen it I’ve no
idea what homework has been set. (Again, this is something the teacher says
that he needs to ‘learn to remember’ and I’m not sure she understands that it
isn’t something he is going to ‘learn’ and that by pushing this point she’s
driving his anxiety through the ceiling which then makes everything worse)
Yesterday morning Daddy P asked the teacher to make sure that the maths book
came home so that Picklepot could do the maths homework – it was left in his
drawer at school again, because he felt rushed out of the classroom at the end
of the day, and was one of the items that he’d forgotten to bring home with
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve put everything into a letter
and reminded Picklepot about a hundred times this morning to make sure he gave
the note to the teacher today so she’s at least read through and knows my
thoughts on how we should be working together to support Picklepot, rather than
stressing him out and causing his anxiety to escalate, we need to be managing
our expectations realistically of what we think he is able to do. Whenever I’m
having a conversation with the teacher such as her telling me he isn’t sitting
still nicely or he’s becoming distracted easily and I say to her well that’s
the ADHD, she’s always coming up with yes but he can do it when he wants to.
She’s missing the point completely that he’s not doing it when he wants to, he’s
forcing himself not to move and as a result when he is out of school he’s going
crazy because it’s like a fizzy drink in a bottle that’s been shaken all day at
school and then once he’s out of school the lid is taken off. I asked if he
could have something to fiddle with in class to help him focus and she said no
because it will distract other children; I asked if he uses his ear defenders
to cut out the excess noise in the classroom and she says no because she doesn’t
like any children using ear defenders as it makes them more of a target for
bullying. I’ve been told she’s such a great teacher and I do like her, but I
really don’t think she comprehends SENCO children properly or how she can
support them best in her classroom. We have parents evening booked for Thursday
after school so I’m hoping to be able to have a proper chat with her then and
try to explain my points clearly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not been a great start to
Year 4 for Picklepot to be fair, and with all the Christmas festivities now
building up his schedule and routine has been changed and he’s getting
overwhelmed with all the pretty things and the lights and everything that’s
going on, so it’s looking like we’re going to have a rough few weeks. I just
hope we make it through Christmas relatively unscathed and we can start 2019
fresh and with some things in place to help support him more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-60181523737812434262018-10-24T13:57:00.000+01:002018-10-24T13:57:26.919+01:00Finally Getting Somewhere<br />
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It’s been a while since I last
updated anything here, so I thought now I have something to update with I’d
take the opportunity to write it down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As you know, we’ve been waiting
since February 2017 for an assessment for ADHD for Picklepot. We finally got a
preliminary appointment with the ADHD nurse in September 2018, and after
spending forty-five minutes in a small contained space with myself and
Picklepot, she looked at me and said, “Is he like this all the time?” So I said
yes. She asked how I coped with it. I said I wasn’t aware I had a choice – he’s
my son, and since I can’t poke him back where he came from I had to cope with
it <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😉</span> It’s just something you do, as a parent, is
cope with your child, because when nobody else is willing to help you
(professionals I mean) what other option is there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, at the end of a two hour meeting with her, she said that there was no
doubt in her mind that Picklepot did indeed have ADHD, which is a very common
co-morbid issue to have alongside the ASD diagnosis. A week or so later, I
received the report from her, in which she’d detailed a lot of information
about what she’d seen and she’d picked up on a lot of subtle things which I
wasn’t sure she would notice during that meeting, so I’m very grateful that she’s
obviously on the ball and she knows her stuff. In the report, she recommended
that Picklepot had a formal assessment with the Dr who can then put the official
tick in the diagnosis box and once we have that we can then move forward with
how to help Picklepot deal with everything, and strategies to help us deal with
it too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The weird thing about that was
that the letter for our appointment with Dr A had arrived the day before, and
was set for 22<sup>nd</sup> October, so I already knew we were getting that
appointment, and I was surprised (in a good way) how soon after our original
appointment it had been set up. We went along on Monday to meet with Dr A and
once again we were in quite a small room – Dr A didn’t have a box of things to fiddle
with as the nurse had done, and Picklepot quickly became very restless. He was
moving around the room constantly, touching sockets and light switches, standing
on chairs to look out of the high windows, he stood on the measuring thing to
see how tall he was, stood on the scales to see how much he weighed, wanted to play
with the blood pressure machine but I saw his eyes lock onto it and managed to
distract him away from that before he touched it! When it was time for the
doctor to talk to Picklepot directly he first wanted to sit on the bean bag on
the floor, then changed his mind and wanted to lie on it, then he put it on top
of a chair to sit on the bean bag on the chair, eventually he settled for
sitting in the chair with his feet on the bean bag but he continued to fidgit
and move the whole time. He found it difficult to understand the doctor, who
has an accent he isn’t used to, and he was looking at me a lot for confirmation
of what the doctor had asked, or for clarification of what was being asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The letter had advised to allow
an hour for the meeting, in reality it was again closer to two hours. When we
left Picklepot was bouncing off the ceiling and chattering away at a million
miles an hour, as usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The doctor has confirmed ADHD
diagnosis (he said it’s very obvious and he hopes that if we work together we
can work out a way of treatment that will greatly benefit our whole family). He
said that for school it might be best to consider medication to help him
concentrate on what he needs to concentrate on, but he did warn that due to the
ASD it may not mean that Picklepot is able to conform entirely to the mould
that the government expect from children his age. He said if we do medicate it
will help the concentration, but it won’t give Picklepot the reason “why” he is
expected to do something at school, why he needs to write things down (if he
knows it, and I know he knows it, and the teacher knows he knows it, he sees no
point in ‘proving’ it to anyone else) This is, the doctor confirmed, a classic
ASD trait and will not be something that can be resolved with ADHD medication,
so he warned me that we would still need to deal as best we can with that side
of things – but that is what I expected anyway, so no shock there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The doctor feels that Picklepot’s
sleep issues are potentially related to his body not being tired enough for sleep
– though he is continually on the move, he doesn’t do any structured sport (with
the exception of PE lessons at school) so he has recommended that we look into
something along the lines of football, tennis, swimming, dance etc, something
with a routine class in place where he does specific tasks and learns new
things each time, and at the end of a set period EG a term he can see how much
progress he has made. The doctor feels this will help make him more physically
tired, and ready to sleep. On this basis I am looking into swimming lessons as
this is something he is particularly interested in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The doctor will send me an
information pack about ADHD, included in it will be a number of things we can
think about trying to help Picklepot going forward. One of these things would
be medication, which the doctor does recommend in Picklepot’s case, but he was
very clear that ultimately the decision needs to be discussed and agreed
between myself and Daddy P. At our next appointment we will discuss how we
would like to proceed, and start down that path.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I came away from the clinic
feeling relieved that we finally have a formal diagnosis, relieved that we now
have a plan of action to move forward, but also somewhat disappointed that it
has taken me so long, so much battling and fighting for the services needed, to
get this far. I understand that it is not the fault of the wonderful staff who
have dealt with us, but the fault of a damaged system which is not providing
enough staff to keep this rolling at the speed it should be. If I had given up
fighting for Picklepot after finding out the paediatrician had discharged him
then we would not have got this far, and Picklepot would be continuing to
struggle to cope, his school work gradually suffering, his frustrations and his
anger issues getting more and more out of control, until what? Until he fails
the school system and gets into trouble for fighting, or worse? Until he’s arrested
as a young man and enters the court system, unable to control himself and
unable to understand why? This system seriously needs more support than it
currently has, and as someone who has mental health issues myself I feel it is
falling seriously short of supporting our young children and their mental
health. If a child of 8 is ignored when he has such issues, how is he expected
to be able to deal when he is 13, or 16, or 18, or 21? <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here we are now, we have a
diagnosis of ASD and ADHD for our 8 year old whirlwind of energy, and I am
hoping that moving forward we can now get the correct support in place for him
in school as well as at home (and at Cubs, and the other after school clubs he
attends) to be able to help him realise his potential.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m a very tired mama, but I will
not rest until my child has all the support he needs, and is entitled to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-44620832562132289072018-06-01T12:34:00.001+01:002018-06-01T12:34:16.120+01:00ADHD Assessment – An Update<br />
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So, quick back story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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December 2015 Picklepot was
officially diagnosed with ASD. Paediatrician refused to do ADHD assessment at
that time as he said that all five year old children behaved the same way,
despite evidence from Picklepot’s class teacher and school SENCO stating that
Picklepot was more extreme than his peers and indications were that ADHD was a
contributing factor. Paediatrician stated that he would have Picklepot back for
review appointment in a year to do ADHD assessment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
January 2017 I contacted the
Children’s Development Centre where the paediatrician was based, as I had not
received an appointment letter for ADHD assessment in December 2016 as the
paediatrician had advised we would. I was informed that the paediatrician had
signed Picklepot out of their care at Easter 2016 before he had resigned from
his position there. In order to get an ADHD assessment for Picklepot we would
need a new referral. I was told either GP or school SENCO could do the referral.
I asked for clarification three times that SENCO could definitely do it, as I
had been told for ASD assessment it had to be GP referral and not SENCO. They
assured me SENCO could definitely do it. I relayed this information to the
school SENCO and she contacted the Children’s Development Centre herself to
confirm she could do referral and also to find out who she needed to address it
to. She was provided a name of a staff member, so she wrote to that staff
member.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
February 2017 the staff member at
the CDC that the school SENCO had written to contacted her back to say that A)
She couldn’t accept a referral from school SENCO, B) She wasn’t in charge of
dealing with ADHD assessments and C) They no longer did ADHD assessments at the
CDC. I took Picklepot to the GP for him to provide a referral instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In April 2017 we received forms.
Lots and lots of forms. I had to fill in forms and I had to ask school SENCO
and Picklepot’s teacher to fill in forms. They had to be completed and returned
within 7 days of receiving them, which we did. In addition to this I was
contacted by letter and asked to call the team to discuss my concerns with
Picklepot / why I felt ADHD assessment was required.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I called the number, I discussed
with the lady on the phone why I felt ADHD assessment was required, she asked
me to put it in writing and provided an email address for me to write to. I
dutifully sat down and wrote everything out and emailed it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
E Mails went back and forth from
this email address for some weeks, asking for additional information, me asking
when I was likely to hear something, and each time I got a polite reply back.
Until one day I received a reply that said “you shouldn’t be using this email
address it is not for parents it is for professionals only” so I replied and
said, “You can see from the email trail that I have been communicating with the
department for some time with this email address as advised to by staff member
XXX when I spoke to her on the phone”. The reply back was, “You’ve been told
wrong, don’t write to this email address again, we will not reply to you”.
Rude? Yes. Something I have unfortunately come to expect from this complete
joke of a system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In August 2017 I received a
letter confirming that the referral had gone from one department onto the
actual ADHD team that would be able to provide the assessment. In October I
received a letter from the ADHD team advising that Picklepot was on the waiting
list for an appointment for assessment, but that due to how busy they were it
could be some time before I received an appointment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That brings us up to date. We’re
now in June 2018, 16 months after the referral was originally made, and we
still don’t have an appointment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In the letter for the ADHD team
it states that if you have any additional concerns before your appointment you
should phone the number provided and speak with the duty person. I did that
last week and asked to speak with the duty person and was told that until I
have an appointment date they cannot help, and that someone else would phone me
back urgently.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m not sure why their idea of
urgent is so laid back because in my job if something is to be actioned
urgently it is to be done within 24 business hours, however despite the fact
that this department are dealing with the mental health of vulnerable children
and their families, it took them an entire week before they phoned me back
(yesterday)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The ADHD nurse I spoke with was
lovely and sweet and very understanding, but ultimately she can’t do anything
more to hurry things along. There is ONE SINGLE specialist in the whole of
Norfolk and Suffolk who can provide assessment for ADHD and he has been working
his way through an enormous back log of patients who were referred going back
to before Picklepot was. For some time there was NO specialist who could
provide assessment in these two counties, so any referrals were basically just
on hold until he started the job, with no support or assistance for the
children or their families. THANK YOU to the NHS cut backs in the region. If I
could afford to go private I would, not because the NHS staff don’t work bloody
hard to do what they do but simply because my son is struggling and the longer
we wait the more he is struggling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot is nearly 8 now. His
social and communication skills are suffering. He’s having difficulties at
school – his impulse control is non existant – he is acting out with throwing
things, screaming, shouting, crying. Daily life is a struggle of trying to
support him the best way we can and trying to encourage him, while at the same
time trying to help him understand what is not acceptable and why. As much as I
know for a great deal of it he can’t help the way he is behaving, it’s still
important to me that he learns why he shouldn’t behave that way, because I
cannot have him hitting / throwing things at people, it simply is not on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The ADHD nurse was sympathetic
and took note of what I was saying. She advised me about what I can do to
ensure that when we DO finally get an appointment we have all the information
we will need to hand, and no need to be sent away to get more information and
then return for another appointment in another God-knows-how-long. Hopefully if
we can get everything we need together then at our appointment it will be a
nice simple assessment and diagnosis. (I know it’s in the post, it isn’t a
question of IF he has ADHD but WHEN he is diagnosed)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Once the diagnosis is done, only
then can we actually move forward in a helpful way. The diagnosis will allow
the school to claim for more support for Picklepot, I can speak with the GP and
the ADHD nurse about potentially having medication for Picklepot to help him concentrate.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s frustrating, it’s soul
destroying, it’s hurtful to watch your child suffer the way Picklepot is suffering.
He is trying to hard but it’s getting more and more difficult for him and he is
struggling more and more. I know it isn’t the fault of the ADHD team, they’re
doing the best they can – but it is the fault of cut backs and money saving
exercises for mental health services in the local area and that is
inexcuseable. My child has plenty of support from his family and friends, from
his school and from our Helping Hands group, but many children don’t have that
kind of support and they are suffering even more. It seems like they are the
forgotten ones, they are shoved to the side and ignored and the situation is
showing no signs of getting better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So for now we continue to wait. I
will speak to school SENCO when Picklepot goes back to school next week and get
her to help put everything in place that the ADHD nurse has advised we will
need, so we are all prepared for when the appointment eventually does happen.
For now we continue to muddle along as best we can and hope that the damage it
is doing to Picklepot’s mental health is something he can recover from. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The system is screwed up, and I am
so tired of these constant battles to get anywhere, but as his mum I will
continue jumping through whatever hoops they put in my way in order to get him
the support he needs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0mDcFcKmAc/WxEvLZbRXjI/AAAAAAACci0/5TGmNPP6D14ey8a2qMtu7Xo_jigUmJygQCLcBGAs/s1600/ADHD-Medications.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="551" height="177" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0mDcFcKmAc/WxEvLZbRXjI/AAAAAAACci0/5TGmNPP6D14ey8a2qMtu7Xo_jigUmJygQCLcBGAs/s320/ADHD-Medications.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-30608836258275632212018-01-14T13:28:00.000+00:002018-01-14T13:28:19.785+00:00Jan 2018<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LH0Fdx4SdBM/WltaK0NFCaI/AAAAAAACOfg/rzd2NQBrXMYglh_pWgypS9Kt8piL654iwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="663" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LH0Fdx4SdBM/WltaK0NFCaI/AAAAAAACOfg/rzd2NQBrXMYglh_pWgypS9Kt8piL654iwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Well we’re officially well into
2018 now, Christmas seems like it was ages ago (even though we’ve STILL got our
Christmas decorations up as Daddy P is in charge of putting them up and taking
them down, and he hasn’t managed to get round to taking them down yet!) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fortunately for us, Sunshineface
got over his bought of chickenpox a couple of weeks before Christmas. While he
was suffering with that, Daddy P, Picklepot and myself all had a horrible cold,
but we were all feeling much better by the time 25<sup>th</sup> December rolled
round.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot had fun at Beavers
Christmas camp – the night they stayed over it snowed, so they got to have a
run around in the snow on the Sunday morning before coming home, which added to
the festive feeling: We arranged a Helping Hands Christmas party with a very
special guest who came along to give the kids a little early present: I
attended a work Christmas party at a hotel in Borehamwood with a movie
character theme which was brilliant fun: There were meals out with friends,
present buying and wrapping, not to mention Daddy P decorating the front room
(yes, I know, epic timing lol and it still isn’t quite finished!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While Picklepot has been, shall
we say, much more challenging over the Christmas holidays, he made me very proud
on Boxing Day as we spent the day over at Grandparents P home, with my SIL, BIL,
nephew and niece. It makes for a crowded living room with all of us squeezed in
there, plus presents as well, but Picklepot handled it brilliantly. He excused
himself a few times to go off elsewhere to have some quiet time and play on his
pad, he ate most of his Christmas dinner (encouragement from Grandma goes a
long way!) and he managed to keep himself from becoming too overwhelmed. I was
very proud of him – especially considering that after some of his meltdowns before
that during Christmas break had me concerned that Boxing Day was going to be awful!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Both boys are very fortunate to
have got so many lovely gifts, from Father Christmas and from us and our family
and friends. We had a lovely time, it really was brilliant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately at some point during
the Christmas fun my right hand became incredibly painful. I totally lost grip,
I couldn’t move my thumb without it being excruciatingly painful and it made
everything so awkward and difficult to do. I waited it out thinking that I’d
sprained it or something silly, but instead of getting better it just got
worse. Before I knew it the thumb was swollen around the base on my palm and
the back of my hand and I was really struggling to do anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I had a call back from the GP
surgery who had me in for an appointment that morning – they took some bloods,
and the doctor examined me. She was concerned by the pain I had and I was sent for
an X ray immediately as she was worried I had fractured my scaphoid bone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The following Tuesday I spoke to
the surgery again who confirmed my X ray had come back normal, but my blood
tests showed that my red cells were enlarged. The marker for arthritis had
shown up, so they wanted to take more blood for further tests. I went back and
had more blood taken that morning; I then spoke to the doctor again on Friday.
She advised that the second tests came back normal – if they’d shown another
marker, alongside the arthritis marker, this would indicate lupus, but as they
didn’t show this other marker we now go down the line of arthritis. She says
this would cause the pain if I’m having a flare-up at the moment and the lack
of mobility to my thumb. She has done an urgent referral to the rheumatology
department at the local hospital, so currently I’m waiting to hear from them
with an appointment. If their assistance doesn’t help within 10 weeks and I’m
still in as much pain, I will have an MRI to double check that it is not a
fractured scaphoid – sometimes the X ray doesn’t pick it up since it’s such a
small bone – if it does turn out to be a fractured scaphoid I will either need
a cast or surgery, depending if it’s aligned or not, to resolve it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We also got a letter from the
ADHD team in December, to tell us that they’re very busy and we’ll get an
appointment as soon as possible. Considering we’ve been waiting since February
2017 I’m not holding my breath. I’ll get another appointment with the same GP
we saw before and ask him to push for us. Picklepot is finding it harder and
harder to focus and he’s beginning to really struggle. I don’t want him to get
too far behind in school before it is looked into more. I would rather we get
this in hand sooner than later. He’s going to be 8 this year – another 3 years
and he’ll be off to high school, and we need his focus and concentration vastly
improved before then.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot has been having further
issues with the horrible child in his class that has been a bully since day 1 …
I was furious over the Christmas holidays when I found a card from this child
who had written “I hate you” on the back. I was so upset I emailed school
immediately even though it was Christmas holidays, expressing my absolute horror at finding this message
and demanding that something is done about this child, who has had countless
tellings off regarding their behaviour, particularly toward Picklepot, and yet
continues to be just as nasty. The SENCO (currently acting Deputy Head) called
me the day they went back to school and we discussed at length exactly who it
was, what had happened, whether the child had been any better since their last
telling off over their behaviour toward Picklepot, and going over what the school
would be doing. This child has spat at Picklepot, tripped him over, pulled his
hair, called him names, pushed him, taken food from him (his apple / packet of
crisps mysteriously goes missing after the child has been nearby the lunch
bags) he has had his coat removed from his locker and found on the floor in the
boys toilets with the other child in the toilet at the time (coincidence?) The
child has lied to get Picklepot in trouble, he has deliberately shut his hand
in a classroom door, he makes up stories to tell other children and is generally
making Picklepot very unhappy. I am giving it til the half term holidays then I
will be in contact with the SENCO again to discuss improvements / issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Hope you all had a very Happy
Christmas too, and that your 2018 brings you plenty of love, laughter and
happiness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Mummy P<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-37420528828009372502017-11-21T17:21:00.001+00:002017-11-21T17:21:47.323+00:0021.11.17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qjn80CHBsJs/WUaW1KWKCiI/AAAAAAAB1d0/TgyhRGONL5YfecINWCVNT065W8WqWQ-AQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qjn80CHBsJs/WUaW1KWKCiI/AAAAAAAB1d0/TgyhRGONL5YfecINWCVNT065W8WqWQ-AQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/sick.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I think the kids might be coming
down with chicken pox, but I’m not sure, and I always thought it was one of
those illnesses that came on and you knew for sure very quickly, but once again
here’s my kids doing it differently!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot had a spot come up on
Sunday, which was itchy and he picked at before telling us about it. We thought
it was some kind of insect bite and used some insect bite cream on it to stop
the itching.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On Monday after school he looked
pale, he had a slight temperature, and he was quiet and not his usual bouncy
self. He said he felt sick and he didn’t eat much dinner despite it being one
of his favourite meals. He had a few spots on his back that looked like
blisters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This morning he came into me at
7am telling me he felt rough. His temperature was up slightly still, he looked
pale and he had found some more spots. I was surprised – I had expected, if it
was chicken pox – for him to be covered in spots by this morning, but he wasn’t.
However they definitely look like chicken pox spots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He stayed home from school.
Throughout the day, more spots have appeared, but still he isn’t covered in
them, though they are small blister like spots, like chicken pox spots. He
seems to have felt more like himself as the day has gone on – his appetite is
definitely back, and he has been gradually getting louder and more bouncy – but
his temperature is still slightly up and with these spots slowly appearing I am
fairly convinced he has chicken pox. It’s just a case of waiting to see what
happens now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sunshineface has not been his
usual happy self in general the last couple of days. He’s been very cuddly – he
asks to get up for a cuddle one moment, and then when you pick him up he’s
trying to get down again, and whinging the whole time. He hasn’t been eating a
huge amount either, though he has been drinking a fair bit, and last night he
was all snotty and bunged up overnight, coughing in his sleep and waking
himself up because he was finding it difficult to breathe. I was expecting him
to have a full on cold this morning but it seems to have gone – I am wondering
if he is also coming down with chicken pox, though there is no sign of any
spots at all on him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Myself, I had chicken pox when I
was 11, and while Daddy P can’t remember how old he was when he had chicken pox
he has had it, so I’ll be quite happy for both boys to have it now and get it
over and done with. Certainly I wouldn’t want them to have it when they’re too
much older. I’m shocked that given how many of his friends have had chicken pox
over the years that Picklepot has gone without catching it up to now. If it is
chicken pox, it’s kind of good timing, as Daddy P is off work next week so he’ll
be around to help out with the sickly boys, and it’s far enough in advance of
Christmas that they should be fully recovered by then.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For now it’s a case of waiting to
see how it develops. <o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-1890972238759764742017-11-18T23:55:00.000+00:002017-11-18T23:55:33.241+00:00The Overload of a Busy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEdcfMqkMfE/WhDIJdtNwQI/AAAAAAACIEM/C_0M6j9iYfEWOsfJChaZJtzY6su1a5d5ACLcBGAs/s1600/18.11.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="613" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEdcfMqkMfE/WhDIJdtNwQI/AAAAAAACIEM/C_0M6j9iYfEWOsfJChaZJtzY6su1a5d5ACLcBGAs/s320/18.11.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We had a great day today.<br />
<br />
This morning was our Helping Hands ASD Family Support Group. One of the mums who comes brought along her dad, who does photography. He brought along a background, some props, and proper lights. Some of us wore Christmas jumpers, some of the kids wore Christmas jumpers, we had lots of photographs taken and it was a much more relaxed environment than taking the kids to a photography studio. They had fun, they messed about, they were relaxed and enjoying themselves and we got photos taken. I’m hoping we can use them for Christmas cards / gifts. Last year we were let down massively last-minute by the photographer I’d booked and I wasn’t able to get professional photos done of the boys before Christmas. I’m really looking forward to seeing how they came out.<br />
<br />
After group, we came home and had lunch, and after that Picklepot’s girlfriend came round for a play date. They were noisy, they were silly, they made a big mess, they had fun, they enjoyed themselves. It kept Picklepot entertained – without him being glued to the TV, playing computer games or annoying his little brother all afternoon. Daddy P was off work, so he kept Sunshineface happy while I got on with my work. It was all good.<br />
<br />
I did the kids dinner around 6 and then Picklepot’s girlfriend was picked up around half past. Picklepot had his afters, he had his usual milkshake and cookie, and everything seemed fine. We watched some cartoons and then went upstairs to put the boys to bed.<br />
<br />
At this point it all went wrong. Picklepot had already been asked to tidy up his room. When we got upstairs he started messing around and not tidying up his room. Things quickly escalated between him and Daddy P and got a bit loud and a bit crazy and ended up with tears and screams of “I hate you” and Picklepot coming to tell me how mean Daddy was, and when I sided with Daddy P he started shouting at me. After about half an hour of that he still hadn’t got any further with tidying his room, so I suggested that maybe we should have a game. I suggested that we should see who could pick up the stuff quicker – daddy with the bin bag to throw things away or Picklepot to put things away. Picklepot really wasn’t happy about that and the meltdown continued but he did manage to sort things out.<br />
<br />
He really was overtired and I should have seen it coming considering the busy day he had, so I did kick myself that I didn’t, so tomorrow we’re just having a quiet day at home and I’m glad I planned it that way. I still have some work hours to do but not that many, and we can chill in our PJs and watch TV and cuddle and generally just have a day “off”. I forget sometimes that he needs that, because he does so well with coping most of the time. He’s had a full on week at school, Children In Need day on Friday which meant wearing PJs to school (which he was thrilled about) and then the photos today at group and having his girlfriend round to play, it was all too much and I’m sorry it ended in such an awful meltdown tonight. I wish I had realised sooner that it was too much for him.<br />
<br />
Live and learn, right. Tomorrow is another day.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-77661262003854066762017-11-10T14:26:00.001+00:002017-11-10T14:26:15.101+00:0010.11.17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_jJazxquk8/WgW25M8-kFI/AAAAAAACHVE/HN5ng55VWgYAm7EKwOrCdS46vtcxAS91ACLcBGAs/s1600/10.11.17%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="817" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_jJazxquk8/WgW25M8-kFI/AAAAAAACHVE/HN5ng55VWgYAm7EKwOrCdS46vtcxAS91ACLcBGAs/s320/10.11.17%2Bpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This week, Daddy P has been off work. It’s been nice having him around to help me with the day-to-day juggling act of taking care of the boys, the housework and my work! We’ve taken it in turns to do the school run, taken it in turns to get up in the night when one of the boys has woken up, and taken it in turns to cook the evening meal.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, it was our 11th wedding anniversary. We had a day at home with the boys, then went with Grandad P to a local fireworks display & funfair. It was Sunshineface’s first experience close up with fireworks, and he seemed pretty impressed, though there were some points he kept saying “No, daddy!” and turning away from the display, but I couldn’t work out if it was certain noises he didn’t like, or something else, as it seemed to vary when he was saying no. We bumped into Picklepot’s girlfriend and her mum so we went round the funfair with them and she and Picklepot enjoyed going on some of the rides together.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday after school we had parents evening for Picklepot. We had a good chat with his Yr 3 teacher, Mr A, and we found that Picklepot is streets ahead for his maths work – Mr A is going to start setting him Yr 4 work as he is finding the Yr 3 stuff boring – for his English and his Reading he is being quite lazy and although Mr A knows he is capable, he is not showing his skills and so he is beginning to drop from ‘exceeding expectation’ to ‘average expectation’. It’s just trying to get him to see the point in doing a lot of it – He knows he can read well, so he sees no benefit in ‘proving it’ to anyone else; in the same way he knows he can write well, and has excellent comprehension skills, so again he sees no point in ‘proving’ himself. I’ve explained to him that for school, they need him to ‘prove’ it, so they can track his progress.<br />
<br />
Mr A said he is a very popular member of the class – especially with the girls! – and that he has got a lot better working with others in a group when needed, though he is still happiest working alone, and Mr A said he does tend to ‘cherry pick’ a group that he knows Picklepot will work best with. His lack of concentration, his ability to daydream the time away, his motivation being hand-in-hand with approaching loss of playtime, his easy distraction, is all part and parcel of Picklepot and Mr A is sympathetic to that, so he is working out ways of ‘dangling the carrot’ so to speak, in order to motivate Picklepot by reward for doing well, rather than punishment for not finishing things.<br />
<br />
Year 3 started swimming lessons last Friday, and I was very apprehensive. Whenever we’ve been swimming before, Picklepot has been dead keen on the idea and as soon as we’ve got into the pool he’s attached to me like a limpet and won’t let go. It can get quite awkward as he’s so tall now and there’s me struggling to move around with this child whose arms are tightly wrapped around my neck, freaking out because he thinks he’s going to drown if he loosens his grip on me at all. He’s also always complained about how cold he gets when we’re swimming, and then once he’s cold he won’t move at all, so once out of the pool he’ll just stand like a statue, wrapped in a towel, complaining how cold he is, and not getting himself dry and dressed. All in all, I thought the school swimming lessons could be pretty disasterous!<br />
<br />
However, first lesson was last Friday, and Picklepot sprang out of school full of enthusiasm. He said he’d absolutely loved it, really enjoyed it, couldn’t wait to go again etc. Last night he asked me to include his goggles in his swimming bag as he wanted to try putting his face underwater this week. Last night at bedtime I was getting annoyed with him for being so slow at getting ready for bed, so I kept on at him to hurry up, and he kept moaning he didn’t feel well. The moment I said, Well, if you’re not well you can’t go to school tomorrow, and if you can’t go to school then you can’t go swimming! And suddenly, he was feeling much better … 😉<br />
<br />
This weekend both myself and Daddy P are off work, so we’re planning a nice lazy weekend with lots of family time. My mum might be coming to visit on Saturday, it’s been a few weeks since we last saw her so it will be good to catch up if she can visit, but it depends on her new job at the moment as she might end up working.<br />
<br />
The week has once again gone past in a blink and I don’t know how it’s Friday again already! But I am definitely ready for this weekend!<br />
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-7055580021252686572017-11-03T14:47:00.001+00:002017-11-03T14:47:48.747+00:00A Quick Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabrWq4qPGnaYr7oHmxT6Bl7jfTigqy2te7t2IMMgEuIhGM3Bc0CZz3RXRNVl1C3daeAU88TzYOhn4XvEPgKT2DvZLM-s86BoBEUI5ZW9SznKurVBW4R4S1piZY23ViOrGm1NSdEcHO8c/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1480" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabrWq4qPGnaYr7oHmxT6Bl7jfTigqy2te7t2IMMgEuIhGM3Bc0CZz3RXRNVl1C3daeAU88TzYOhn4XvEPgKT2DvZLM-s86BoBEUI5ZW9SznKurVBW4R4S1piZY23ViOrGm1NSdEcHO8c/s320/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The half term holiday seemed to disappear in a flash! I was working, so we didn’t get chance to go out much, but on the Saturday we held our ASD Helping Hands group Halloween Party! It was a great success with all the kids in fancy dress (and lots of the adults, too!) Plenty of party food was consumed, as well as lots of Halloween cakes and sweets, and we played some games as well. Everyone seemed to have a good time, now it’s on to organising the Christmas party!<br />
<br />
School started again on Monday, and on Tuesday morning when I took Picklepot in I asked him not to go round the side bit of the playground where the trouble always seems to happen with the big group of kids playing that horrible game known as “Bulldogs” which ends in someone getting pushed to the floor and hit / kicked (the last week of last half term one kid had his trousers pulled down as well and everyone was laughing at him) The school have asked the kids not to go round that part of the playground but of course kids like to do what they’re told not to. Anyway so I said to Picklepot don’t go down that bit, he said OK and stayed at the edge, then a group of older kids ran over to him and punched him! He was very shaken, came over to me and explained what had happened, and I had a chat with the teacher who’d come out to blow the whistle and get the kids into school for the start of the day. He said he’d go round and have another chat with everyone but as Picklepot doesn’t know the names of the kids who assaulted him they can’t punish those children specifically.<br />
<br />
This weekend Daddy P is on leave from work, we have our ASD Helping Hands group on Saturday morning and then a firework display on Sunday evening which we’re taking both the boys to. It will be the first time Sunshineface has gone to a firework display so I hope he doesn’t get too scared by the noise. We’re taking Grandad P as well, since we know he enjoys a good funfair with the kids!<br />
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-56304422849895271812017-10-22T14:13:00.000+01:002017-10-22T14:13:00.987+01:00It's The Half Term Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfymuO2V4JYJK5_USdd5OG828XqjIt0tfV9ndRi6hbqTxJhacqYWOkbe8cuLEiV3DQV5Hmdep5EzO5JuLfN2qfVNXVPf9F_pReDcuD_2t45uD2PWGU5R0MseZ-lzTVbqnGrKszMhHjM4/s1600/half+term.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="450" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfymuO2V4JYJK5_USdd5OG828XqjIt0tfV9ndRi6hbqTxJhacqYWOkbe8cuLEiV3DQV5Hmdep5EzO5JuLfN2qfVNXVPf9F_pReDcuD_2t45uD2PWGU5R0MseZ-lzTVbqnGrKszMhHjM4/s320/half+term.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last week of school seemed to
go without any issues for Picklepot, though there were two incidents I heard
about from other mums who have kids in his class which concerned me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both times it was due to the kids
playing a game called Bulldog before school started, in a corner of the
playground that is quite hidden. The first incident was a boy from the 6<sup>th</sup>
year getting pushed to the floor and getting beaten up by the surrounding crowd,
fortunately he got away without being too seriously injured and his mum was
able to calm him down and go and speak with the staff in the office. He’s now
able to go into school through the office each day, to avoid another incident
in the playground. The mum was informed that the kids shouldn’t be any kids
playing in that corner of the playground at all, and that a teacher should be
in the playground monitoring the kids from 8.30am to ensure this kind of thing
didn’t happen. A couple of days later another kid was pushed to the floor in a
game of Bulldog in the same corner of the playground; he had his trousers
pulled down and the surrounding crowd were laughing at him. His mum,
understandably, was absolutely fuming (I would have gone mad if it had been
Picklepot in that situation) This happened after 8.30am, but there was no sign
of a teacher in the playground monitoring the kids, and again they were in the
corner they shouldn’t have been in. This incident prompted one of the staff
going round to every classroom that day, telling them that the game Bulldog was
banned, and that the corner of the playground was off limits before school.
Whether or not that is enforced or will deter the children from doing it I don’t
know yet, but I for one am keeping an eye on that corner and will be over there
like a shot if I see it going on again. I wonder how kids can be so mean to one
another – it’s always been the same, I remember it at my school (though not to
that extent in primary school) There’s a couple of names that keep coming up
time after time with issues, one of which was involved in both the incidents in
the playground during the game of Bulldog last week, and that name is also the
same child who has been causing Picklepot issues and slammed his hand in the
door the other day, so whether his parents will actually take notice of the
school telling them <i>again</i> that he is
in trouble I don’t know. He struts around the school with this smirk on his
face, he is a proper little nasty piece of work, and while I know he has a lot
of issues himself and a lot going on in his young life I don’t believe anything
gives him an excuse to behave like a thug. I am keeping an extra close eye on
him, and his siblings. (He has an older sibling that Picklepot thinks is his
friend, but basically they wind him up at lunchtime until he gets in trouble
for misbehaving because they’re telling him to do stuff, hiding his lunch,
holding his property above their head and making him jump to get it, and then
he gets in trouble for fooling around)<o:p></o:p></div>
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The school was closed on Friday
for an inset day, so Picklepot came to Disco Duck dance class with Sunshineface
and myself, and he seemed to really enjoy that. Sunshineface got a certificate to say he completed a full half-term of classes. Then on Saturday morning I
dropped Picklepot off at the Beaver hut for Roald Dahl themed camp weekend. He was
really looking forward to that, so I hope he’s had fun. I pick him up in a
couple of hours. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Next week I’ll be working so we
can’t do much, but on Monday while I’m in the office there’s an exhibition
about Magical Creatures (based on the Harry Potter books) at the local library
so I’ve told Daddy P he should take the boys to that (apparently there will be
real owls to meet) and on Thursday there’s a new parent & child group
starting off at a local tea room so I’m planning on going along to that as
well. I’m hoping to get the boys out to visit some friends too, so hopefully
they won’t get too bored. <o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-87427725358192613462017-10-07T22:48:00.001+01:002017-10-07T22:48:25.338+01:00Don't Upset Mama Bear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp3GpHIMYELocwW4NX3_VO0BrYP88KeMWZgVa4lNZk5VMJxvn1RhO6jlapyr5reZW5NQFw3gWwplTxUERR7QK_K3ZYQ18Wr6EChutPuFT2ceEegN-KCnJMvfaUyFv1lX4XkamLB3qAhM/s1600/37088db1e6b888f3c81ee6cf0c88b076--momma-bear-baby-animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp3GpHIMYELocwW4NX3_VO0BrYP88KeMWZgVa4lNZk5VMJxvn1RhO6jlapyr5reZW5NQFw3gWwplTxUERR7QK_K3ZYQ18Wr6EChutPuFT2ceEegN-KCnJMvfaUyFv1lX4XkamLB3qAhM/s320/37088db1e6b888f3c81ee6cf0c88b076--momma-bear-baby-animals.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
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It’s been a difficult week for me
as a mum this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot informed me that one of
the kids in his class has been particularly nasty to him recently. For the last
2 years this other child has been deliberately kept away from Picklepot as they
would argue and fight, but starting at the beginning of this term the other kid
told Picklepot that he was “done being nasty” and wanted to be friends this
year. Picklepot being the forgiving boy that he is, he accepted this and for
the first couple of days things were good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then the other boy started his
old tricks again. He pinched and kicked Picklepot when the teachers weren’t
looking. He pulled Picklepot’s hair, called him names, told him only girls have
long hair, even smacking his bottom if Picklepot tries to walk away from him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The last straw for me came when
Picklepot came home from school with a red line across his fingers. I asked him
what had happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We’d had a discussion the night
before about this other boy, and I told Picklepot that a bully is normally a bully
because they’re jealous of you. I told him he was good looking, clever, kind
and thoughtful, and had lots of friends. This other boy was probably jealous of
those qualities, so the way he made himself feel better was to try and make
Picklepot feel bad about himself. After that, Picklepot drew a lovely picture,
showing two boys smiling together, one labelled with his name and one with the
other boys name. It said “We be friends” over the top of the two boys, and he
said he was going to give it to the other boy and tell him they should be
friends and stop being mean. I thought it was very sweet of him and he took it
into school the next day to give it to the other boy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He did as he planned, and gave
the picture to the other boy, and told him that they should be friends, and the
other boy said “OK I accept”. Picklepot thought this was genuine and went to
walk away to go for break, when the other boy called him back so Picklepot
paused with his hand in the doorframe of the classroom. The other boy slammed
the door shut on his fingers, laughed at him and screwed up the picture,
calling Picklepot names and saying he would never be his friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My eldest son went to the first
aid room for an ice pack for his fingers, but he didn’t tell them the whole
truth about what had happened. Though only seven, he has noticed previously if
he reports an incident and names this boy, when the teacher then talks to the
boy he knows who has ‘grassed him up’ and he will come back after Picklepot
twice as bad as before. So Picklepot, aged seven years old, lied to the teacher
attending the first aid room that day and didn’t tell her that this other boy
had deliberately slammed his fingers in the classroom door, because he was
scared of what would happen if he told on the other kid, and the other kid
coming after him to do something worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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To say I was livid would be an
understatement. It took all of my self control the following morning not to
march up to the other kid and drag him by the scruff of his neck to the head
teacher. However, I managed not to. I managed to keep a lid on it until my
meeting with the acting head teacher that afternoon, when I spilled to her
exactly what has been going on with this boy since the start of term, and
explaining to her in a barely controlled voice that wobbled because I was SO
angry about this incident that I expect this to stop, right away. I do not
expect to hear any reports of any more name calling, pinching, kicking, hair
pulling, much less bottom smacking or slamming of fingers in classroom doors.
She was aghast, she had no idea what had been going on, and she promised
faithfully she would sort it out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For now Mama Bear is resting, but
her ears are listening and she sleeps with one eye open. You’d better believe I
will be growling if anything happens next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-67802753422955818502017-09-22T15:02:00.000+01:002017-09-22T15:02:07.056+01:00Poorly Picklepot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYdtownqiXlzsGnPmPPYGdUvM4lxE9sKYGVCh2Ph8olik1feGhIvg-0om87XtSdnyjUwVds3FI68xlW1ct9fEbCvGiwLjJGW8m_9luFJid0NgMLj6b8uJz2I8eHWvpAvzmnOJQRp6Z6w/s1600/sick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYdtownqiXlzsGnPmPPYGdUvM4lxE9sKYGVCh2Ph8olik1feGhIvg-0om87XtSdnyjUwVds3FI68xlW1ct9fEbCvGiwLjJGW8m_9luFJid0NgMLj6b8uJz2I8eHWvpAvzmnOJQRp6Z6w/s320/sick.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On Wednesday night, Picklepot
came into our room crying. He said he had tummy ache, and didn’t feel well, and
he ended up sleeping in our bed. It was our first clue he was unwell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On Thursday morning, he was slow
to get ready for school – he kept saying he had tummy ache but he said it was
because he was hungry, so we hurried him along to get dressed and go downstairs
for breakfast. Despite him repeatedly saying he was hungry, he didn’t eat much
breakfast, and then it was another battle getting him to brush teeth / brush
hair and get out of the door to go to school. He was very moany and complaining
a lot, but he can be like that in the morning anyway so we kind of didn’t take
much notice of it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At quarter to ten the school
phoned me to say that Picklepot was really feeling under the weather, he was
complaining of aches and pains and had a bit of a fever. I went to school with
some kids Ibruprofen and we made the decision that a member of staff would give
him the medicine and he would continue at school to see how he felt once the
medicine kicked in. I knew he had cooking planned for yesterday and I knew he’d
be upset to miss it, even if he was unwell, so I didn’t want to take him home
early unless I had to. After being given his medicine I went home again, and I
didn’t hear anything from school so I figured he had perked up a bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of the school day
Picklepot was escorted over the playground to me by the teaching assistant Mrs
G, he was crying and she said he had been like it all afternoon. She said he’d
been complaining of feeling poorly, he was quiet and crying and not like his
usual self at all, and she said maybe he was coming down with something. I took
him home and he cried the whole way home. At home he got into a onesie and
snuggled on the sofa under a duvet. He asked for a chopped up apple, but he
didn’t eat it. He didn’t want any dinner and he fell asleep on the sofa after
another dose of Ibruprofen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbSXgd8xRPI/WcUW9TWLHtI/AAAAAAACBm8/yKPHj2Px1tcB5glyz5Vx0Inj5wP4scKLgCLcBGAs/s1600/large-887716-nurofenforchildrenlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbSXgd8xRPI/WcUW9TWLHtI/AAAAAAACBm8/yKPHj2Px1tcB5glyz5Vx0Inj5wP4scKLgCLcBGAs/s1600/large-887716-nurofenforchildrenlogo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While he slept he was pale, with
flushed cheeks, and he was restless while he slept and moaning / crying in his
sleep. Just before 8 I had to take Sunshineface upstairs for a nappy change,
and while I was there I thought since it was almost bedtime I’d get him in his
PJs and get him ready for bed. While I was sorting him out, Picklepot woke up
on the sofa and came upstairs. He said hello to me as he walked past, and he
went straight into his bedroom and climbed into bed. I went in there a couple
of minutes later and turned off the light since he was cuddled up under the
duvet and he didn’t say anything. I checked on him 20 minutes later, after
Daddy P got home and took over putting Sunshineface to bed, and he was snoring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Overnight, Picklepot was up quite
a few times. He was crying, saying he was in pain, he was aching, he needed a
wee, he needed another drink, he had two more doses of Ibruprofen to try and
get his temperature down and get him back to sleep again. When I woke up with
Sunshineface at 8am I knew that Picklepot wouldn’t be going to school, so I
rang them to register him absent at 8.30 and after that I called the doctors
surgery to get an appointment for him today. Since it’s Friday I didn’t want to
leave it and have him get much worse over the weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We got to the doctors in good
time for our appointment, and unsurprisingly after a quick exam and taking his
temperature (39.5) the nurse confirmed that Picklepot has definitely got
tonsillitis again. She got a prescription from the doctor for some penicillin,
which I picked up from the pharmacy in the same building before we left. I also
got some more Calpol since we’d run out, and the nurse said I can double-dose
Calpol and kids Ibruprofen to keep his temperature down. When he has a fever he
is much more prone to more violent night terrors, so we’re working to avoid
that!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We came straight home afterward
and he took his first dose of medicine, he’s been cuddled up on the sofa all
day watching YouTube videos and while he looks a better colour he is still very
quiet and clearly not feeling right. Fortunately Daddy P is off work today so
he was able to stay home with Sunshineface while I took Picklepot to the
doctors, and he has been able to watch both kids while I got on with work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We have plans all weekend, so I’m
not sure whether we’re going to have to cancel them yet or not – I’m going to
see how he feels and take it as it comes. It would be nice to get out and do
stuff / see people as planned, but if he’s not well enough there’s no point
trying to force the issue, it will just end badly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p>Fingers crossed he feels better soon!!</o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-88901971824556874542017-09-09T20:53:00.001+01:002017-09-09T21:57:18.311+01:00ASD Helping Hands Thetford Family Support Group Library Display Project<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxIrT838uTIg_7ogWfUysBsk9eItS6zTqcSOn87weLGHRbt8qRHLOia1bMAH6o6-0I6ebr62c1PbP8_a-9OBtXzZKR9Yy4bLRvNyIRQR3QSA1AtmRqmVqdAvU2Up4D_elmKgaBhnoNDs/s1600/1ea20f_6c5d577dbc824be3993b1982b56a458f.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxIrT838uTIg_7ogWfUysBsk9eItS6zTqcSOn87weLGHRbt8qRHLOia1bMAH6o6-0I6ebr62c1PbP8_a-9OBtXzZKR9Yy4bLRvNyIRQR3QSA1AtmRqmVqdAvU2Up4D_elmKgaBhnoNDs/s1600/1ea20f_6c5d577dbc824be3993b1982b56a458f.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This week has seen the
culmination of weeks of planning. Some time ago, I saw a post from our local
library on their Facebook page, showing off their latest wall display in the
children’s area – a local childminding group had created it, and not only did
it showcase some of the kids artwork but it also was an excellent promotion of
the childminder in the local area. The library had commented that they welcomed
other local groups to contact them about using the space for their own display,
and immediately I thought of our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/714706161877172/" target="_blank">ASD Helping Hands</a> group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The ASD Helping Hands Family Support group has been invaluable to Picklepot and I since we started going
in January 2016. For two hours every fortnight we meet at a local venue and
there are arts and crafts activities, the chance for the kids to play together
and enjoy themselves without worrying about being judged by their peers for
their ‘different’ behaviour, a chance for adults to have a coffee (or tea!) and
a chat about things, a place for us to discuss things, a place where we don’t
have to worry about what anyone else thinks of us because all of us are in this
together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Since joining the group I have
made friends who truly understand what it can be like. The group has changed,
we moved venues at the beginning of this year and some people don’t come any
more, other people have started coming … but on the whole we still feel like
not enough people know about the group, not enough people know it’s there and
it’s available. The idea is that this is a family support group, so all members
of the family are welcome, and even if the person with ASD doesn’t want to come
to the meeting, that’s OK, they don’t have to; the idea is that everyone feels
welcome, nobody feels judged and the group is a place you can come and enjoy
yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With the idea of getting
information about the group to more people who could benefit from it, I
contacted the library and asked if our group could be considered to create a
display. The library were quick to say yes, and the date was set that our
display would be up ready for the week starting 11<sup>th</sup> September. At
our next meeting we discussed some ideas of what we could do, and we came up
with our plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We drew around hands and cut them
out, and everyone decorated some hands with colouring pencils. We found a foam
tree with foam leaf-colours which we cut out hand shapes and on each one we
wrote the name of the children in the group. I created a big poster for the
centre of the display saying ASD Helping Hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKiYOsiTf9g/WbRGlGmXHOI/AAAAAAACAjc/pimnVmZ4y6ws_ISDIjIIswRgiocfF01LQCLcBGAs/s1600/21369093_10154704994422540_751114119109576417_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="960" height="276" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKiYOsiTf9g/WbRGlGmXHOI/AAAAAAACAjc/pimnVmZ4y6ws_ISDIjIIswRgiocfF01LQCLcBGAs/s320/21369093_10154704994422540_751114119109576417_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
One of the ladies who comes to
group knows someone who works for the local free magazine, and she contacted
them about the display – they said if we sent a high resolution photograph
along with a small written piece to go along with the photograph, they would
run it in the magazine as a local interest story, which again obviously
promotes the group and tells even more people about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, myself and one of the
other mums (and her daughter) met at the library with our display in a carrier
bag in pieces, armed only with a wall staple gun and our imaginations on how we
were going to bring it altogether. We talked, we laughed, we worked it out, we
planned, and we got the display up on the wall. It took us the best part of 2
hours, but it was time well spent and we are so pleased with our efforts when
we were finished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Today was our first Helping Hands
meeting since before the summer holidays. Afterwards we all went to the library
together, and one of the mums’ fathers met up with us with his fancy camera,
and he took some photographs of the group in front of the display. We now need
to choose which of the final two photographs we are going to send to the
magazine along with the article.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m very proud to be part of our
little group. There’s lots of stress and tears involved when you’re struggling
to get where you need to for a family member with ASD, but our group has shown
me there is lots of laughter and friendship along the way as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t1_ZBwMG_vZ1WVyIjKUrcG2mO2lk9SGtN7dIYgTqJ7VnCrZ2K_JFviVvynr8S28Tezqv_SdtXYJU0Yur0sipCT1Wgq7YmyyDSaJ7-hySRK6SgGZcngLePTJpjwm9JHT54S9zZjhD33s/s1600/received_10154707252807540.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1090" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t1_ZBwMG_vZ1WVyIjKUrcG2mO2lk9SGtN7dIYgTqJ7VnCrZ2K_JFviVvynr8S28Tezqv_SdtXYJU0Yur0sipCT1Wgq7YmyyDSaJ7-hySRK6SgGZcngLePTJpjwm9JHT54S9zZjhD33s/s320/received_10154707252807540.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Are Each Unique And Beautiful, Together We Are A Masterpiece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-62109770039798032262017-08-31T20:51:00.000+01:002017-08-31T20:51:04.282+01:00Oh! What a Day! (Because if you don't laugh, you'd cry)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REjQf8oYBR0/WXn3z8WhEfI/AAAAAAAB6Wk/Rn-pTHbH-1Mah3RlAlFiNdWhVWZyaHnbACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/669436838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="612" height="229" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-REjQf8oYBR0/WXn3z8WhEfI/AAAAAAAB6Wk/Rn-pTHbH-1Mah3RlAlFiNdWhVWZyaHnbACPcBGAYYCw/s320/669436838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Last night my friend asked if I
could take care of her daughter today while she and her husband attended a
medical appointment. I agreed quickly – their girl is always a pleasure to take
care of, she’s Picklepot’s “girlfriend” so they get on like a house on fire,
and she’s also great with Sunshineface. I had no plans other than to work, so I
thought great, the kids can play and I can get on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She arrived this morning just
after 8.30 so I was still wearing bed hair, PJs and seeking out my first coffee
of the day. After a night of getting up with Sunshineface (who was most adamant
he did not want to sleep!) I was in serious need of caffeine. Fortunately my
friend and her daughter are perfectly used to seeing me in this condition and
it’s no bother for them. Picklepot was already up and dressed, patiently
waiting for his girlfriend to arrive for their playdate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I did some work and got everything
up to date, I did an online shop for delivery tomorrow since we just got paid
and have NO FOOD in the house, and I drank my second coffee before 10am. Things
were going well. Then the husband woke up and sorted himself out, came
downstairs with Sunshineface. Breakfast was being consumed by the two bigger
ones, and the Sunshineface was provided with a chopped apple (which he mostly
chewed and then left the chewed up chunks in various places around the front
room, but no matter, he’s much like me and rarely eats properly first thing in
the morning)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I got myself dressed and came
downstairs, husband left for work, I did some more work and got everything up
to date again, got Sunshineface dressed and we left the house to walk to the
little shop down the road. While the big shop is arriving tomorrow, I needed a
couple of essentials today. We also needed to put some electric on our key
meter, so our main purpose was to stop at the shop to sort that out, but in
addition as it was a sunny day and work was all up to date I thought I’d take
the kids to the little park near the shop to let off some steam too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We walked to the shop, I checked
my account before taking out some cash (nightmare fear of the money not going
into the account for some reason on payday!) and I went to get the electric key
out of the pocket on the pushchair to top it up in the shop. I hadn’t brought
the key with us. I’d taken it out of the meter and placed it on the radiator in
the hallway ready to put in the pocket on the pushchair and take with us, then
in all the palaver involved with getting three children out of the door and one
into the pushchair I’d forgotten to pick it up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We walked back home, I dived
indoors and grabbed the key, we walked back to the shop again. We were in no
hurry, the kids were behaving themselves and it was nice weather. I kept
telling myself it really didn’t matter, even though Picklepot kept complaining
that now he was seven I should have left him in the park with his girlfriend on
their own while I went home to get the electric key (Nice try, kid, but NO!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At the shop, the bigger two
decided they didn’t want to come in so I headed in with Sunshineface in the
pushchair and picked up what we needed. Sunshineface decided now was a good
time to drop his feet onto the front wheels of the pushchair – you know, while
I’m juggling bread, milk, cheese and butter in one hand and steering one handed
around a tiny shop with barely enough room to get down each section. Cheers,
kiddo. I made it to the front desk (feeling proud of myself) and put down my
shopping, asked the lady for some money to be put on the electric key, and just
as I was asking for two mixed slushies for the big ones they came screaming
into the shop because Picklepot was being silly and doing something he shouldn’t
have been so his girlfriend came to tell me what he was doing and he came to
defend himself. I said OK whatever, I’m getting slushies if you behave
yourselves so they both did a happy dance and squealed a lot and shouted
requests at the lady behind the counter about what they wanted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Once we finally staggered out of
the shop we went to the park. To my dismay it has quickly become an open
rubbish bin … litter just about everywhere, broken bottles and cigarette ends,
empty squashed cans, crisp packets blowing in the breeze and all that kind of
sad crap you find blights so many places which should be really nice for the
community to enjoy. I decided to overlook this, the kids were thrilled to be at
the park, they ran off ahead to play.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot found a kid he knew
playing with another kid – no parent in sight – just two six year olds on their
own in a park in the middle of a housing estate. They were doing their best to
break something – I don’t even know what it was – and immediately started
asking Picklepot to share his slushie. Annoyed, I called him over to me, told
him to leave his slushie with me while he played, asked him to play nicely and
not destroy whatever it was the other boys were destroying. He returned to them
and immediately started to try and destroy the object. They’d progressed by
then from stamping on it and throwing it to climbing up a frame with it and
chucking it off the top. I was a bit concerned about someone getting hurt, as
well as annoyed that he was so quickly ignoring my wishes and joining in. So I
shouted over to him, you play nicely you don’t try and break stuff or you come
in here with me. He shouted back, But they’re trying to break it! So I thought
to hell with it and yelled back, I don’t care what they’re doing, they’re not
my children, but you know better than to try and destroy things especially if
it isn’t your property! Pretty quick all of them stopped doing what they’d been
doing and started playing. I thought OK and left them to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot’s girlfriend was in the
fenced off area with Sunshineface and myself, and while she was playing happily
with Sunshineface I did think it was a bit rude that Picklepot had just left
her to it while he went off with someone else. Then he shouted help. I looked
round and he’d climbed up the top of a frame which has various ways of getting
down again – a firemans pole, a twisted rope ladder, and a set of those double
bars you slide down. He’s climbed up it a thousand times before, and come down
those double bars with no problem. He’s come down them head first, feet first,
dangling with just his arms, backwards, you name it. This time he’d climbed up
and decided he was unable to get down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
His girlfriend went over there to
help him and I heard the other boys start taking the mick about “A girl” coming
to his rescue, which got my back up. That girl has bigger balls than most boys
I know. She’s utterly brilliant with Picklepot, she keeps him calm and stops
him getting too worked up, and I knew for a fact she’d be able to talk him down
no problem. She also has no fear herself and is quite happy to climb up the
frame and come down the firemans pole without even blinking. So she did that a
couple of times, and I was so proud of the way she simply ignored the other two
as if they weren’t even there, and eventually Picklepot had the confidence to
come down the double poles again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After a while at the park we came
home. Sunshineface was hungry and the other two kids were bugging me, three
other girls had turned up (alone) and I’d had enough and wanted more coffee. We
walked home without too much issue, though Picklepot was being a bit silly and
mucking about it wasn’t too bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Once home, we had some lunch and
my friend arrived. She stayed for a while so the kids carried on playing. I did
some more work, got up to date again, things seemed to be going well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Then Picklepot came in from the
garden to announce that because his girlfriend was being bossy, he’d thrown his
trainer at her and now it was in a bush and he couldn’t get at it. He wanted me
to get it for him. He expected me, in a summer dress, to climb through a 6ft
tall rose bush and pull a trainer out of a prickly bush. Um, no, you can ask
your dad to fetch it later and then you can explain to him why you threw your
trainer in a bush in the first place. My friend and her daughter went home. A
busy day but bar the odd issue, fairly successful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As mentioned earlier, our choices
for dinner were limited so I put into the oven what we had left to make a meal.
It was about halfway cooked when an urgent scream from Picklepot in the front
room alerted me to the fact that Sunshineface had somehow got hold of the
Sharpie marker pens I use for my grown-up colouring books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I went into the front room and
found Sunshineface sitting in an armchair with an assortment of 20 Sharpie pens
around him, on the floor in front of him, handfuls of them. Lids were off, he
had purple on his t shirt, red on his knee, green on his foot and an assortment
of colours on his hands. Once I gathered them together, put the lids back on, I
went to take him upstairs. I realised I couldn’t walk across the front room due
to the amount of toys between me and the doorway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As I started to tidy up I asked
Picklepot for help, to which his response was, “I didn’t make the mess” I said
OK you didn’t tip the toys over the floor but you played with them, so help me
tidy up please. “I didn’t make the mess I only played with the toys” So I said
well I didn’t even get to play with the toys but I’m expected to tidy it all
up! He still wouldn’t help me tidy so I did that myself. Then I took
Sunshineface upstairs to try and sort him out. Turns out that Sharpie pen won’t
come off skin with baby wipes, nor with a hand soap and warm water scrub, so
leaving him covered in Sharpie quickly became my only option and I was about to
go to the loo before we went back downstairs when I realised the loo was
blocked with loads of paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After unclogging the toilet, and
going to the loo, and scrubbing my hands thoroughly, I took Sunshineface back
downstairs so I could serve up dinner. Of course, it had been halfway cooked
when I was called away for the Sharpie incident, and this whole time of
clearing up and sorting out toys and the blocked toilet and trying to clean up
Sunshineface meant that dinner was a crusty relic of what it could have been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We ate what we could of dinner,
then the kids had ice cream for afters, and of course Sunshineface covered
himself in melted ice cream. Along with the Sharpie on his clothes, I decided
to strip him off and put his clothes straight in the wash.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The washing is on (with plenty of
Vanish!) and work is up to date (again). Husband has just arrived home and
Sunshineface is running around in his nappy and nothing else (he won’t keep his
dressing gown on) the purple Sharpie went through his t shirt so he has purple
splodges on his tummy and a red line down one side, to compliment the red spots
on his knee, the green squiggle on his foot and the multi colour design on his
hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now husband is home, the joy of
the bedtime routine can begin. I just hope Sunshineface is more tired than he
was last night and we don’t end up sitting there til 10.30pm with him throwing
George Pig soft toys at my head telling me “No sleep”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m exhausted, and I’m looking
forward to my Archers & lemonade tonight!<o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-67220536691968769812017-08-26T15:50:00.004+01:002017-08-26T15:50:51.683+01:00Summer Holidays - Weeks 2 & 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZU2LCyWoXVk/WaGKP61bvvI/AAAAAAAB_EU/rfEFMHFKk3IMVsI702Bb1N4vU6N1X002ACLcBGAs/s1600/20170811_115148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZU2LCyWoXVk/WaGKP61bvvI/AAAAAAAB_EU/rfEFMHFKk3IMVsI702Bb1N4vU6N1X002ACLcBGAs/s320/20170811_115148.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We went for our family holiday
the first two weeks of August to our usual bolthole on the Suffolk coast at
Corton. It’s a lovely area and we spent the whole two weeks holiday there this
time, so we had lots of time for exploring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The usual beach we go to at
Gorleston is lovely, uncrowded, sandy beach with a handy café nearby for
visiting when we need a loo break and a cup of hot coffee or an ice cream.
However this year we also ventured further down the coastline and found the
more touristy area of the beach. It was more crowded, but not too bad, and
again features a lovely sandy beach. There is the best ice cream shop ever
positioned on this section of the beach and we all enjoyed ice creams from
them! We also enjoyed fish & chips from the chip shop there twice over the
course of our fortnight holiday and both times was absolutely lovely. Along
with arcades, inflatables for kids, there is a toy boat lake, a paddling pool
and shops selling the usual beach bits & bobs in case you’ve forgotten
anything you need. We will definitely be returning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We spent a day in Great Yarmouth.
Our main aim was to visit the <a href="https://www.visitsealife.com/great-yarmouth/" target="_blank">Sea Life</a> centre which we did, and that took us
about two hours to go round and enjoy. After that we walked to the beachfront
and the kids went on the inflatables and several other games. We enjoyed a trip
on the Great Yarmouth Big Wheel, and rounded off our day by going to the beach
and having a run about. Even though by that point in the day it was cool and overcast
we had a great day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While we were there we celebrated
the birthdays of both boys and Daddy P. We ate lots of birthday cake!
Sunshineface turned 2 and most of his presents have been Peppa Pig based. His
speech came on in leaps and bounds while we were away, and amongst his new
words were “George” (his favourite character) “Suzy” (he got a Suzy Sheep toy)
and if you say “Dinosaur” he’ll say “Raar!” like George does. Picklepot was 7
and he got a lot of Minecraft presents, including the new Minecraft book. We
also got a ‘family’ laptop for us all to use, and installed Minecraft on that
so he has another way of playing if he wants to – and I can take the laptop
with us on holiday or when we go to stay with my parents so he can merrily play
Minecraft while we’re not at home. It probably seems indulgent to a lot of
people but with Picklepot it helps so much to keep him calm it’s invaluable to
us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On the whole we had a wonderful
time on holiday but there was a lot of arguments about Picklepot’s behaviour
& attitude. He was very rude at times and throwing lots of strops, and more
than once Daddy P and I lost our tempers with him. I don’t know whether it’s
the fact that we were all together and he isn’t used to that, or what was
happening but it’s not been as bad since we got home. Perhaps it was just the
fact we were away from home that was making him act up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We returned from holiday on the
Saturday and while I feel like I could do with a holiday to get over the
holiday it was lovely to spend some time with my family at the coast. I’m
looking forward to returning again soon. There’s something about the coast that
makes me feel so relaxed and content.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n-7jMOL7TAsa_XGdwNLPiYoIPNRtoZ0joxq1bZ4UNWrmgSNQN0Uyhr0Sn9wZCx-7GnCUlHE9jATLL3_I-V4VvJtWHUPgjRF5LvXKVyr8olWBlljycLlVL4xNr391X6A0hmJiSZx4B3g/s1600/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n-7jMOL7TAsa_XGdwNLPiYoIPNRtoZ0joxq1bZ4UNWrmgSNQN0Uyhr0Sn9wZCx-7GnCUlHE9jATLL3_I-V4VvJtWHUPgjRF5LvXKVyr8olWBlljycLlVL4xNr391X6A0hmJiSZx4B3g/s320/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-67994099464579144992017-07-27T15:25:00.001+01:002017-07-27T15:25:55.878+01:00Summer Holidays Week One<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWGJFJcDAM7XNeNTk_0gNhQ81FaoqbzaSbBgDWz-UcwOdXF2pMFzUC1LGcLx-19Nz1wrmtFIdhyphenhyphenWEM7d7_cfzju0gEMueddp0TCL2T62p1nCbrxCxPPRJ-itrrGrDm1UDYiJMI81aqUc/s1600/669436838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="612" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWGJFJcDAM7XNeNTk_0gNhQ81FaoqbzaSbBgDWz-UcwOdXF2pMFzUC1LGcLx-19Nz1wrmtFIdhyphenhyphenWEM7d7_cfzju0gEMueddp0TCL2T62p1nCbrxCxPPRJ-itrrGrDm1UDYiJMI81aqUc/s320/669436838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The summer holidays have begun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot broke up from school on
Friday last week. On Saturday my parents and brother came to our house for the
day; Sunday and Monday we didn’t do much; Tuesday we went into town with his
best friend and her mum to sign up for the summer holiday reading challenge;
Wednesday we were meant to go to a friends house, but then it was cancelled
last minute so we had a lazy day at home instead, and he went to Beavers last
night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’d received an email from
Lioness on Monday to say that the Beavers would be having a water fight after
completing their Emergency First Aid work during the meeting on Wednesday, and
a request to bring a towel and a dry t shirt. We arrived at Beavers and waited
outside for the doors to open. Other Beavers had brought along water guns, but
they hadn’t been asked for in the email. Picklepot walked up to me with a
frown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“You didn’t bring me a water gun”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I said “No, it wasn’t requested
that we brought a water gun in the email”. Another mum, who happens to be staff
at Picklepot’s school, said to me, “I did message Lioness to check, and she
said we didn’t need to bring anything except the towel and dry t shirt” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Picklepot folded his arms and
glared at me. “<i>Why</i> didn’t you bring
me a water gun? Other people have got a water gun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I repeated, “No, it wasn’t
requested that we brought a water gun in the email”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He growled at me and ran off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On our way into the hall, another
mum was leaving. “Oh the water fight has been cancelled,” She said to me, “On
account of the weather being rubbish today. They’re doing it next week instead.”
Picklepot overheard and threw his bag and jumper on the floor, standing in the
hallway with his arms crossed and a grumpy face on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“<i>Why</i> has it been cancelled?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I sighed. “You heard what she
said. The weather is rubbish today. It’s too cold and it’s raining. It won’t be
a good water fight if you’re all too cold. They’ll do it when the weather is
nicer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“<i>Next week.</i> She said they’re doing the water fight <i>next week.</i>” He grumbled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Well if the weather is better
next week then yes, they will.” I replied. I knew what was coming. We’re on
holiday next week so he isn’t at Beavers, so he will miss out on the water
fight if they do it next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sure enough, he kicked his bag
across the floor. “Well that’s not fair! It’s meant to be <i>tonight</i>. I won’t be here next week so I won’t get to join in and <i>that’s not fair!</i>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I asked him to calm down, not to
kick his bag, and to pick up his things and go into the hall. He growled at me
again, picked up his belongings, went into the hall and put the bag down by
Lioness and Tiger. He took his jumper and went to join the other Beavers who
were already forming up. As I stood there, I watched him throw his jumper at
another kid. It hit the other kid full in the face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Get here NOW!” I yelled.
Picklepot skipped over to me grinning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Why did you throw your jumper at
his face?” I asked. He shrugged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I didn’t.” He replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I fought the urge to scream in
frustration. “You did. I stood here and I watched you. Why did you throw your
jumper at his face? You could have hurt him!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Again he shrugged. “I didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I watched you do it!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I didn’t do it deliberately.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Your jumper just flew out of
your hands and hit him in the face?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I was trying to throw it over
his head.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I sighed. I took hold of his
jumper and threw it in his face. He burst into tears. “Was that a nice thing
for me to do?” I asked. He cried hard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“No!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Well then, that’s what I’m
saying to you. Whether or not you intended for it to hit him in the face, you
did throw it and it did hit him in the face and that’s not nice. So go and say
sorry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I didn’t do it on purpose!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Regardless! You did hit him with
it so you need to apologise, whether or not it was done on purpose!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The big fake sobbing continued.
He makes lots of noise when he does this. It’s a very quick way of getting me
mad very quickly because I know it’s fake but he’s very convincing with big
tears rolling down his face and everything. Other people that don’t know him so
well often think he’s properly crying and obviously they presume I'm being horrible to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After he eventually went off to
say sorry to the other kid, he started running round in circles. He’s meant to
put his jumper on and form up, not chuck his jumper around and run in circles.
I asked him to put his jumper on. He removed his woggle from his neckerchief
and chucked the woggle and the neckerchief onto the floor. He put his jumper on
and kicked his neckerchief around the floor.<br />
“I can’t put that on.” He said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I waited silently. Another thing
I am sick to death of is him making statements like “I can’t do that” instead
of “Please can you help me do that”. So I don’t respond if he says he can’t do
something, I wait til he asks for help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He picked up the neckerchief,
screwed it up some more, threw it on the floor and kicked it again and yelled
in my face. “I <i>said</i>, I <i>can’t do that!</i>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I looked at him. “So what do you
need to do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I need to put my neckerchief on!”
He screamed at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“So what do you need to do?” I
asked, meaning he needs to ask me for help not just scream at me that he can’t
do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“I told you! I need to put my
neckerchief on!” He screamed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“You need to ask for help nicely,
not scream at me that you can’t do it.” I told him. “Now it’s all crumpled up
and on the floor, so first of all you need to sort it out and get it ready to
put on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He kicked at it again, then
picked it up and threw it onto the table in front of Lioness and Tiger. He went
to walk away. I called him back. “You need to sort it out and get it ready to
put on. I’m not doing it all for you after you’re the one who crumpled it all
up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He glared at me and growled
again. “Humph” He said, crossing his arms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I swear this child is trying to
push me over the edge at times. Another leader took the neckerchief and picked
up the woggle from the floor. She turned to me. “Bye mum!” She said loudly.
Then she turned to Picklepot. “You show me how you can sort this out, OK? Then
you need to put it on and form up – quickly now, everyone else is ready!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I turned to Lioness and Tiger. “He
broke up from school on Friday. It’s been emotional.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Tiger smiled. “It’s the change of
routine. It’s OK. He’ll be fine. Go and enjoy your time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I left feeling thoroughly
annoyed, upset and angry. He had been fine all day, then turned into a monster
specially for the Beavers crowd. He’d made me so cross with his behaviour,
which he <i>knows</i> I won’t tolerate, yet
he does it in front of people as if he expects it to be OK.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When I went back to pick him up,
the lady who had been doing the Emergency First Aid skills with the group came
over to chat with me. “He did brilliantly again,” She smiled. “He was my helper
again, and he remembered everything I taught them last week.” (He was her
helper last week, too) “He knew all of the answers to all the questions I asked
them, and he demonstrated very good bandaging abilities. He demonstrated what I’d
taught them last week and got it all perfect. He’s very good at it. Has he ever
done a first aid course before?” I said no he hadn’t, but that it was something
he was interested in. “Maybe when he’s a bit older he can come and join our
team as a cadet,” She suggested. “He might enjoy that. Getting out and about
and going to events with a purpose to being there.” Then Tiger came over to me.
“He’s been fine,” She reassured me. “He loved doing the first aid stuff again,
he remembered everything from last week really well and took it all in tonight.
He’s done brilliantly.” I smiled. “I just wish he didn’t work so hard at making
me so cross!” I said to her. “Ah, but you’re mum,” She said, “He knows he can
push you constantly and regardless of what he says or does you’ll always love
him. That’s why you get the bad behaviour. Anyone else can walk away and not
come back. You’ll always come back.” When the group was dismissed, Picklepot
came over to me and apologised for his earlier behaviour. I breathed a sigh of
relief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We spoke with Lioness and Tiger
about being on holiday for the next couple of weeks, so he would be missing two
meetings, and celebrating his birthday while he was away. He got upset because
he’d be missing the water fight, but I said we would take our water guns on
holiday with us and have a water fight while we were away. That seemed to help
him cheer up again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I can’t wait for our holiday. I
need a break … I think the change of scenery and having different activities to
do will help keep Picklepot more chilled – and we’ll have lots of time to spend
together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Three more sleeps!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-18299556570235257792017-06-18T16:06:00.002+01:002017-06-18T16:06:45.648+01:00The Weekend of Ugh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeuSPwgFmjlIHl_J0knS3RzJb74gdcsP3_ZPdWCAAEja2rAMtL-2FEg9fvBRtHD7hNuEvIGhDWKhvNvqx3WkcqBHBu3HQy7juxmIamP4HDQEo2k2Z5TNVQsK_1c9ORAVsGuwUQGQdSLM/s1600/sick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeuSPwgFmjlIHl_J0knS3RzJb74gdcsP3_ZPdWCAAEja2rAMtL-2FEg9fvBRtHD7hNuEvIGhDWKhvNvqx3WkcqBHBu3HQy7juxmIamP4HDQEo2k2Z5TNVQsK_1c9ORAVsGuwUQGQdSLM/s320/sick.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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What a horrible weekend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It started on Friday, at school
pick-up. Picklepot was being very silly, not listening, running off, acting up
etc. I put it down to him being over-excited about it being the weekend, and we
hustled home to get ourselves ready. We had a Beavers badge ceremony that evening,
followed by a BBQ. We got to the ceremony and Picklepot was quiet and out of
sorts. Halfway through he went to the loo and on his way back he asked if we
could go home. I said we had to wait til the ceremony was over. Once it was
over I said to him about getting BBQ food as was our plan but he wasn’t feeling
it and he wanted to come home, so we did. We picked up McDonald’s on the way
back as none of us had eaten dinner (thinking we would be getting BBQ food) but
Picklepot only wanted his milkshake, and didn’t eat any of his meal. He went to
bed and was awake a lot that night with a raging temperature, crying and
screaming. Around 2.30am Sunshineface also started crying, so I ended up dozing
in the chair with Sunshineface while Daddy P stayed with Picklepot in his
double bed. None of us got much sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday I woke with a sore
throat and a banging headache so I headed to the shop for orange juice before
Daddy P went to work. After he left, the boys and I had a quiet day. I
cancelled our plans to go out with the ASD group because we weren’t up to it,
and I managed to get some work done. I took Sunshineface up for a nap just
after 12 and when I came downstairs just after 1 I found Picklepot asleep on
the sofa. It’s a sure sign he’s unwell if he falls asleep in the day! I got
some more work done and slept myself til 5, when Sunshineface woke up.
Picklepot stayed asleep until 6pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was a late shift for Daddy P
so the boys and I had our dinner together at 6.30pm but none of us really ate a
lot. It was the first thing Picklepot or myself had eaten all day. After we
finished I cuddled up with both boys and we watched TV til Daddy P got home. We
took the boys up to bed and once they were settled I crashed in bed myself. I
was exhausted and I felt rubbish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Overnight Picklepot slept through
but Sunshineface was awake a lot. I think he was hungry though because when I
gave him some more milk around 5am he finally settled. Daddy P was up and off
to work again early this morning but the boys and I slept in til 9.30am.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I woke feeling even more rough
than yesterday. I’m running a temperature, my throat is sore, my head is
banging and my glands are swollen. I washed and sterilised the bottles and made
them up; loaded and ran the dishwasher; loaded the washing machine and tumble
drier / folded the stuff from the tumble drier and re-loaded it with another
washload / I’ve done plenty of work today and everything is up to date. I put
Sunshineface down for a nap just after 1pm and Picklepot and I had some toast
as our lunch. I’ve done some more work
since then and reloaded the tumble drier / washing machine for another cycle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s hot today (27 degrees) and
the dogs are lounging in the kitchen not doing much on the whole, but then
every now and then they’ll go outside and start barking and when they start
they won’t stop and its bloody annoying so I have to keep going to tell them to
shut up and come back indoors. I don’t want to shut the back door because it’s
so hot in the kitchen with the door shut, particularly with the tumble drier
running. It’s frustrating though when they’re running around barking at birds /
bees / clouds / the noise of families talking and playing in other gardens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Daddy P finishes work soon and
when he gets home I’m going to enjoy a nice shower as I’m feeling all hot and
disgusting. He said he’ll sort out dinner but truth be told I’m not sure what
there is to cook / what any of us will eat anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I feel frustrated, because it’s
such a waste of the weekend – we’ve sat at home and watched TV and slept – and I
feel annoyed because I’m sick as well as the kids, which sucks – and it’s a
waste of such gorgeous weather – it’s so rarely hot and sunny in the UK I feel
we should have been outside, enjoying it, not stuck indoors feeling sorry for
ourselves. These things can’t be helped though. I just have to get over it don’t
I and not dwell on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not going to be able to give
blood as planned on Tuesday because of this sickness – whatever it is – I’m not
fit to give blood according to their guidelines, so I need to reschedule, but
the app isn’t working properly so it won’t let me reschedule which is a pain. I’m
also due in the office tomorrow but that’s not happening – not when I feel so
rough. Also planned for this coming week is the yearly team bonding day with my
office buddies; it’s planned for Thursday, so I’m hoping I’m well enough by
then to participate and enjoy it! Then on Saturday we’re due to drive to Surrey
for my nephews birthday party and an overnight stop at my mums house before
travelling home on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So many plans depend on me
feeling better, and soon. I’m drinking orange juice and dosing myself up on
paracetamol to take the edge off the pain. My skin feels prickly and my joints
ache – it’s almost like flu, but less severe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fingers crossed we’re all better
soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-32616835179097367712017-06-10T14:33:00.003+01:002017-06-10T14:34:31.546+01:00Sunny Saturday Musings<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5A4p6tW7i4ZPE-kZRVlaSXtrtlOx5nV5xR4nnQj9uHzf6E82TAEHVEDMxFdftsD6AtAezly2HbVJIrwkMTqsLvz6qOBjCCaSsw3hA9Xi_Gc3FBNmfgRGHuEqzu3rq5gH2mHFAdRtBn0/s1600/17883786_1491317984235156_3153847863654929935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="643" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5A4p6tW7i4ZPE-kZRVlaSXtrtlOx5nV5xR4nnQj9uHzf6E82TAEHVEDMxFdftsD6AtAezly2HbVJIrwkMTqsLvz6qOBjCCaSsw3hA9Xi_Gc3FBNmfgRGHuEqzu3rq5gH2mHFAdRtBn0/s320/17883786_1491317984235156_3153847863654929935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s been a difficult week this
week. Like everything has been ‘off’ ever so slightly and things just haven’t
gone to plan, it’s nothing huge and life changing but its enough to put you out
of sorts. Sunshineface hasn’t had much sleep since about last weekend. He’s
been doing LOTS of crying, wanting lots of cuddles, being that sort of toddler
that cries for being put down, cries to be picked up again, cries because you
give him a drink, cries because you don’t. It’s like even he isn’t sure what
will make him feel better. His temperature has been a little raised, but he’s
been drinking plenty and having wet nappies, and he’s been alert and responsive
so there’s not much to do apart from ride it out. It’s just tiring, having a
toddler attached to you 24/7 while you’re trying to get things done, as any
parent will tell you. I put him down to go to the toilet the other day and he
screamed like I was murdering him. I was desperate for a wee. So I held him on
my lap, on the toilet, while I had a wee. That’s normal, right now. That’s my
life. Sleeping in a rocking chair in the nursery for more hours each night than
you are in your own bed, because every time you think he’s settled and you
creep back to bed, he wakes up screaming again. Wondering if it’s acceptable to
take him out wearing just a vest because he is so hot or if people will
photograph you and post it to Mums Net with an outraged rant about what an
awful parent you are. Trying to function enough to do a hundred different things
that need doing and ending up not doing any one thing til it’s finished. I have
a half loaded dishwasher, a half unloaded tumble drier and a half drunk mug of
cold coffee to show you that. Then suddenly yesterday he slept for a massive
amount of time during the day – five hours! – ate a huge dinner and went to bed
– a little bit later than normal, but not much – and slept til midnight. I
couldn’t believe it. He then settled quickly, and slept round til 7.15 this
morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He would have slept longer, but I
had to wake him up as I had to get him in the car and take him with me to drop
off Picklepot. He had to meet the Beavers at the local Tesco at 7:40am to go by
coach to a fantastic day out that sounds right up his street. The information
on this adventure place they’ve gone to says 100 activities available including
archery, rock climbing and go karting. Picklepot didn’t wait to be asked twice
when he was asked if he wanted to go. Fortunately for me the meeting time was
delayed last minute from 6.15am meeting. That would have been painful. I had no
choice but to take Sunshineface with us as Daddy P was working at 7am but I
guess maybe with a 6.15 meeting time we could have risked leaving Sunshineface
here with Daddy and me being home on time. It didn’t work out though of course.
So after sleeping the best he has for the first night in over a week I have to
wake up Sunshineface, change his nappy and stick him in the carseat without
further ado. He wasn’t impressed, even after I let him have a Belvita breakfast
biscuit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3utblXBJOQ/WTv0yrCGEXI/AAAAAAAB0hI/HqJ2TQaaCTYLnbE4fm-4ddnZUwec-oOEACLcB/s1600/10.06.17%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="419" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3utblXBJOQ/WTv0yrCGEXI/AAAAAAAB0hI/HqJ2TQaaCTYLnbE4fm-4ddnZUwec-oOEACLcB/s320/10.06.17%2B4.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the look on his face! He's just like his Mama in the morning! Such a grump!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All week, because of Sunshineface
being the way he has been, it’s been difficult to get the housework done, or my
work; then yesterday Picklepot was off school sick (something he ate) But
thanks to the epic nap yesterday on behalf of Sunshineface, I was able to catch
up with work and then some. Picklepot felt well enough to play Minecraft; I
said well you need to do your homework before you play Minecraft. He said but I’m
sick. I said if you’re well enough to play Minecraft you’re well enough to do
your homework. So now we have a homework free weekend because he did it within
about five minutes yesterday morning because he was so desperate to play
Minecraft <span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😉</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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After dropping Picklepot off this
morning with a tightly packed backpack of items (a long list of stuff he needs,
all to be crammed into a small size back pack the child can carry themselves –
it was like tetris trying to fit everything in!) Sunshineface and I came home
and I did some work and then we watched some TV and I drank coffee and at 10am
he wanted to go upstairs for nappy change. We went up, I changed his nappy, and
he snuggled down in my arms to go to sleep. I napped with him for an hour, then
when I woke up I put him in the cot and he woke up again. I left him to it and
he hasn’t made a sound since. To give you perspective on that, right now it’s
2.03pm. He’s been asleep since around 10.30am. My next door neighbours (the new
people, not the nice couple on the other side) have been screaming at one
another, crashing up and downstairs, (literally sounds like they’re moving
furniture and having an argument while they do it), slamming the front door,
slamming the car doors, more crashing around – how many times do you need to
open and slam shut the front door? Can you actually close it like a normal
person instead of slamming it so hard the front of my house shakes? Somehow
Sunshineface has slept though all of that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’ve still received no update
from the services contacted with regards to assessment for ADHD for Picklepot,
which is now overdue from December from what I was originally told by the
paediatrician that discharged Picklepot from care without telling me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’ve still received no update
from the Autism Anglia service contacted with regards to my plea for help as I
am helplessly watching Picklepot struggle more and more, and when they asked me
for forms on 12<sup>th</sup> May I had them filled in and returned by 17<sup>th</sup>
May and have not heard anything further yet I made it quite clear we need
assistance. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m trying to be a bit more
involved with the local Helping Hands ASD group. We’ve got a Facebook page now
just for our meetings, so rather than clog up the official feed of the Helping
Hands team which covers a wide area and more than just our Saturday group, we’re
throwing ideas around together with things we can do and organising events for
the families. It’s easy to sit back and wait for someone else to organise stuff
but this is the sort of group where we need to make things happen for
ourselves, and it’s nice getting to know some other mums with similar aged
kids. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Right now I’m going to take
advantage of having this rare time to myself and I’m going to make – and drink –
a whole cup of hot coffee and maybe watch an episode of Revenge while I have
the chance! We got Now TV last weekend … I’m quite enjoying it so far!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-35202293000960316252017-05-11T15:35:00.001+01:002017-05-11T15:35:27.399+01:00The End of the SATS is Nigh!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5A4p6tW7i4ZPE-kZRVlaSXtrtlOx5nV5xR4nnQj9uHzf6E82TAEHVEDMxFdftsD6AtAezly2HbVJIrwkMTqsLvz6qOBjCCaSsw3hA9Xi_Gc3FBNmfgRGHuEqzu3rq5gH2mHFAdRtBn0/s1600/17883786_1491317984235156_3153847863654929935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5A4p6tW7i4ZPE-kZRVlaSXtrtlOx5nV5xR4nnQj9uHzf6E82TAEHVEDMxFdftsD6AtAezly2HbVJIrwkMTqsLvz6qOBjCCaSsw3hA9Xi_Gc3FBNmfgRGHuEqzu3rq5gH2mHFAdRtBn0/s320/17883786_1491317984235156_3153847863654929935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I spoke with Miss B this morning
because one of Picklepot’s classmates said to me that Picklepot was hurting
him. This kid keeps coming to me and telling me, and I keep saying, “You need
to tell the teacher, or a dinner lady, when it happens” Because he won’t, he’ll
wait til he sees me which could be the day after or it could be three days
after the event. Anyway, I know this kid has similar issues to Picklepot, so I
know he’s obviously heard somebody at some point say “I’ll tell your mum!” and
so he thinks that is the way to deal with it. I spoke with Picklepot, and he
said that it was yesterday, during ICT, this kid kept telling him he’d done it
wrong, and he said no I haven’t, but the kid insisted he had and kept going on
about it so Picklepot got annoyed with him. I explained again that even when he
gets annoyed he isn’t supposed to hit people, and that if the kid wouldn’t get
out of his face and telling him he was wrong he needed to call over the teacher
and let them know what was going on, not resort to hitting the kid. So I spoke
with Miss B, and she said OK, we’ll have a chat about the right way to handle
things, because not only does the kid keep telling me instead of the teachers
when he feels that Picklepot has done something wrong, but also because
Picklepot felt the best way to resolve the situation was to hit the kid, which
obviously isn’t the thing to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While we were chatting she said
the SATS would be finished tomorrow and she was hoping that once it was all out
of the way things would calm down. It’s not just Picklepot who has been up in
the air about it all – a lot of the other kids in his class are finding it
tough too. I found out Picklepot has to go off alone and do his SATS away from
the other kids, because not only does he chat to them when he shouldn’t, but
also because of his constant narration of everything. I don’t know if that’s
just him, or if it’s to do with the ASD? But I’ve noticed it at home, too, he
doesn’t do anything silently – he’ll narrate it, just like they do on those
YouTube videos he’s such a fan of, even if there’s nobody there to listen, I’ll
hear him from the other room rambling on about whatever he’s doing. Anyway the
oher day it was Mrs S, the headmasters wife (she’s also a teacher at the
school) who took Picklepot off for one of his SATS and he was quite proudly
telling her that his scores didn’t matter, that mummy & daddy loved him
anyway, that the SATS weren’t to test him but to test that the school had
taught him everything they should have done, to test that the teachers had been
doing their job properly – all of which I’ve told him, and his dad has told
him, and we’ve gone through time and time again at home. He then finishes off
this explanation to Mrs S by saying, “If I fail, Miss B will get the sack!”
Where on earth he has heard that I don’t know. It’s certainly not something I’ve
said to him! Poor Miss B! Luckily Mrs S laughed about it, and told Miss B who
laughed about it and she was laughing when she told me, but then I walked home
with one of the other mums and she said her daughter had come out with the same
thing the other day at home! So it seems the kids have heard it somewhere, it’s
beyond me where they’ve heard it, but apparently all the year 2 class believe
that if they fail their SATS then their teacher will get the sack!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway as it is the last day of
SATS tomorrow I’m hoping that we can do something to mark the occasion, maybe
go out for dinner as a family or something, my mum is visiting tomorrow and it
was her birthday earlier in the week so it’d be nice to take her out with us
too. No plans so far for Saturday but I think Daddy P had a couple of presents
hidden away for Picklepot for after the SATS so he might get those. Then on
Sunday we’re off to my in laws for dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I went for a lovely walk in
town with Sunshineface, met up with a friend and we went for coffee, then we
took a walk alongside the river in the sunshine, it was lovely and just what I
needed to lift my spirits this morning. I felt a bit blugh first thing, I’m not
really sure why. Tonight I’m out with my team from work, we won the ICE award
for the month for being so damn good at what we do so as a treat we’re going
out for dinner. I’m looking forward to going out with the gang, and going out
in general – I get so few hours off from being ‘mum’, it’ll be nice to be me
for a while! <o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-50653194839240851192017-05-07T14:56:00.000+01:002017-05-07T14:56:02.757+01:00Our quest for ADHD assessment continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTPUa1Y__B5CEXMHBVS1na0nhjj8y01v32E22byWWaXqd5xyFvIoOTtNx-3Bjj2WvpwF2nBL4D8aIrDOwveSNV69YWAuXP3N0tdLPnIxk3UfAbohZtZIVKAXbV3hOIDVYnY0flnoIExE/s1600/17883786_1491317984235156_3153847863654929935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTPUa1Y__B5CEXMHBVS1na0nhjj8y01v32E22byWWaXqd5xyFvIoOTtNx-3Bjj2WvpwF2nBL4D8aIrDOwveSNV69YWAuXP3N0tdLPnIxk3UfAbohZtZIVKAXbV3hOIDVYnY0flnoIExE/s320/17883786_1491317984235156_3153847863654929935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may have read my <a href="http://mummypblog.blogspot.fr/2017/02/here-we-go-again-hunt-for-diagnosis.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> about the ridiculousness of getting to this point. Once the GP had sent
the referral, I received a letter back which basically asked for me to justify
why I felt assessment was necessary, and questioning whether I had really done
everything I could to help support my child or was I just a lazy parent looking
for excuses. On the letter, it said call us to discuss further. So I called
them, and spent 10 minutes on the phone with a lady telling her all about the
SENCO reports from school, the diagnosis of autism in December 2015, my
attendance of a Solihull Positive Parenting group and subsequent pass of the
course in July 2016, the amount of extra people that had observed Picklepot in
class and the reports they’d written about him, all of which said that his
behaviour pointed to ADHD as a co-morbid condition alongside his autism.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After 10 minutes, the lady on the
phone said that all sounded fine, and please could I put it all in writing for
them to look through and come to a decision. I asked why I had been instructed
by the letter to phone, and she basically said it was to wheedle out those
parents who are lazy and looking for excuses, as they rarely make the effort to
phone. She provided me with an email address, so that night I sat down and
wrote everything down in an email to send to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few days after that, I received
a thick envelope in the post. In it were two huge questionnaires for me to
complete, and two huge questionnaires for the school to complete. I took the
one for school in the next morning for Miss B and sat down that evening myself
to go through the parents one. It took ages. There were loads of questions
about behaviour, home life, school abilities, even asking about the type of
delivery I’d had with Picklepot when he’d been born and whether there had been
any issues during pregnancy or delivery. I’m not sure about the relevance of
that but they apparently feel it has a bearing on things so I answered every
question.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I posted back the forms a couple
of days later, as despite their slowness to act upon any information it was
made quite clear with the included letter that if you failed to get the forms
back within 2 weeks of them being sent out then it would be presumed you no
longer needed assistance and the whole process would need to be started again
with GP referral. I’ve still not heard back from them, but it’s only been 2
weeks since I posted the forms back (1<sup>st</sup> class Royal Mail, sent
direct from the post office to ensure no reason for it to claim to be lost in
the post or delayed). I hope I hear from them soon though as things have got no
better for Picklepot. He’s still highly emotional, bursting into tears or
becoming very angry within a split second and raging with temper, throwing
things, screaming, slamming doors, growling and being altogether a very unpredictable
ball of emotion. One thing I discussed with Mrs D, the SENCO at school, was
that potentially we could be heading for early onset of puberty, given that he
is going to be 7 in August and is already wearing age 9-10 clothes he is very
tall and she said its perfectly possible this may happen and the onset of
hormones could be a reason for him being so emotional. Again though, it’s
something the medical ‘experts’ need to be involved in with helping us out
here, and helping Picklepot find a solution.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m hoping that the additional
visual aids I’ve got him (the wristband and the communication flash cards) will
help as it means he doesn’t have to verbalise when he’s becoming overwhelmed,
but at the same time it would be helpful to be able to stop him becoming so
overwhelmed so often. I feel I am constantly on his case asking him to correct
behaviour, always telling him to stop that, come here, do as he is asked, don’t
throw things, don’t scream in my face, don’t hit, and its tiring for everyone
involved as well as repetitive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVkm1Pze5TU/WQ8nRJ-TCmI/AAAAAAABv14/YqZgwGQJgssOHbLJsWdiC0H6Xk6Yvbn6gCLcB/s1600/Helping%2BHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVkm1Pze5TU/WQ8nRJ-TCmI/AAAAAAABv14/YqZgwGQJgssOHbLJsWdiC0H6Xk6Yvbn6gCLcB/s320/Helping%2BHands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a relief to go to our ASD
Helping Hands group yesterday and be able to chat to some of the other mums
there who are facing similar situations with their kids, and know that I could
be honest and say how I felt and they understand, they don’t judge. Likewise, I
don’t constantly have to be trying to keep Picklepot from behaving in ways
other people see as unusual or disruptive because all of us are there for our
kids who are on the spectrum so our normal is normal to them, too, and nobody
looks at him differently or thinks he is being odd or tells him he is weird, so
he can just get on and be himself and it’s all good. I’m so thankful for our
little group, and for the friends I’ve made there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today we’re having a quiet day at
home. Daddy P is at work, so the boys and I are chilling in our PJs. I’ve done
loads of work, I’ve been running the washing machine, tumble drier and
dishwasher since first thing this morning and I’ve been drinking lots of yummy
coffee and doing some online shopping. In a little while I’ll go and start
cooking our chicken for dinner but for now my Sunshineface has just woken from
his nap so it’s time to go upstairs and sort him out and then we can do some
tidying upstairs.<o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-84136150713575442392017-04-23T16:26:00.000+01:002017-04-23T16:27:12.587+01:00The Easter Holidays - Broadland Sands<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsT1ow3p96jb_LhzLUD8ikE9v1NXwPM5Qz0uDfQmFS_epMJygncb8I3XdN_Bgk61vRTPsl0j08dCDCV_5hT660UkjPJB2V_YEacLlVDV9yNdtFUBWdhI1kslIt420xQgc65x-fR6-Q0M/s1600/Broadland+Sands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsT1ow3p96jb_LhzLUD8ikE9v1NXwPM5Qz0uDfQmFS_epMJygncb8I3XdN_Bgk61vRTPsl0j08dCDCV_5hT660UkjPJB2V_YEacLlVDV9yNdtFUBWdhI1kslIt420xQgc65x-fR6-Q0M/s320/Broadland+Sands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the first week of the Easter
holidays, I took some time off work and the boys and I went to <a href="http://www.broadlandsands.co.uk/" target="_blank">Broadland Sands holiday park</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’re return visitors there – we’re
lucky enough that my parents own a caravan on the site, so we can use it
whenever they’re not. They purchased their first caravan when I was pregnant
with Picklepot, so we’ve been going there for almost 7 years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over time, the site has changed
hands several times, the company who own it now are obviously a much bigger
corporation than previous owners, and they’re bringing it all in line with
their other sites, with the entertainment centre having had a huge renovation
last year, mascots providing children’s entertainment in the clubhouse in the
evenings and mascot merchandise available for sale in the site shop. They’ve
rearranged a lot of the caravans, and are building additional areas for
caravans and lodges to be placed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On our most recent visit, I was
surprised to see the outdoor pool open, as previously it was only open during
the main 6 week summer holidays, and it was still rather chilly at the start of
April to contemplate an outdoor swim, but plenty of people were enjoying it.
The pool passes can be obtained from reception, and must be valid if you want
to use the pool. There’s a larger one, complete with big waterslide, and a
smaller one for the kids (warmer and more shallow) Attached to the pool area is
changing rooms complete with toilet and shower facilities, so if you want you
can get ready / get dressed after your swim there, but most people walk over to
the pool and back to their caravan or lodge in their swimsuit and a towel along
with flip flops! You’re on holiday after all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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There’s a childrens park area on
site, which we always spend a lot of time visiting, now Sunshineface is mobile
he was able to enjoy running around there and playing too, unfortunately a lot
of older children are left unattended by the adults they’re on holiday with so
there is a bit of an issue with the older ones trying to take over all the
equipment and scare off the little ones, but if you’re there with your kids all
the time like I am then you don’t tend to have an issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The site could do with having a
good clean up. I’ve not noticed it so much in previous years but there was a
lot of rubbish in the carpark area next to the tennis courts, battered old
caravans and broken bits and bobs, and around the site was a lot of old decking
piled up, rubbish left abandoned and things just seemed generally uncared for.
There are a lot of signs stating that dogs must be kept on a lead – apparently a
lot of people can’t read, as we saw many dogs not on leads, running wild and
causing a nuisance, as well as messing and their owners not cleaning up after
them. There are areas where the grass has been re-laid and not watered, leading
to big brown patchwork sections of dead grass. Broken signage makes the site
look uncared for and signs telling you what number caravans are where work best
when they’re showing the correct numbers in the correct place. The site maps
given out to holidaymakers are also incorrect, showing the wrong number
caravans in the wrong places.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The boys and I spent a day at the
local beach, which is <a href="https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-east-england/norfolk/gorleston-beach.htm" target="_blank">Gorleston</a>. It takes about 10 minutes to drive there from Broadland Sands. It’s a lovely sandy beach, there’s a good size
carpark with slopes and steps leading down from there to the waterside, and a
very nice café which is open most of the year. (In summer they get very busy)
We got an ice cream from the ice cream van parked by the car park, we made
sandcastles, we had a lovely day on the beach even if it was a bit chilly. If you’re
in the area I highly recommend this beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdXAKACs9axUFJlCL-Khyphenhyphena_M0TPkVhMTgKVhXXLVBfqa5N-nWYXdqetMapF23xKS9GubRQXM3eNplBUzZS2ou-RzbvmryNfzvVtWhWyhd-4FjlmH3QB8R9m8Gv-hWv0esElUcNK03xeE/s1600/Gorleston+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdXAKACs9axUFJlCL-Khyphenhyphena_M0TPkVhMTgKVhXXLVBfqa5N-nWYXdqetMapF23xKS9GubRQXM3eNplBUzZS2ou-RzbvmryNfzvVtWhWyhd-4FjlmH3QB8R9m8Gv-hWv0esElUcNK03xeE/s400/Gorleston+Beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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On our last night on the site,
Picklepot wanted to go to the site restaurant for dinner. The kids meals were
good - £4.50 for main meal, drink, and ice cream for afters. The meals were a
generous portion – Picklepot had a cheeseburger and Sunshineface had chicken
nuggets – and both boys meals came with a pile of chips. My meal wasn’t great.
It cost £8.50 for spicy chicken burger and chips, I asked for it without
coleslaw which I hate, and when it arrived there wasn’t even a bit of salad
included. It was very basic fried chips and burger in a bun and looked like something
I could have cooked myself in the caravan, not a meal I’d paid for, which was
disappointing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As we were finishing our meal the
kids evening entertainment started so Picklepot was dancing and joining in with
that, though Sunshineface found it all a bit much and wanted to stay away from
the main stage where the characters were and the kids had all gathered to dance
and scream. We didn’t stay long as it was very loud and lots of screaming,
Picklepot found it a bit much after a short time too, so we headed back to the
caravan. It was what I think of as typical holiday camp kids entertainment,
though the meal was disappointing the venue has been done up very nicely and
organised well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will continue to return to
Broadland Sands but I don’t know that I’d get another meal in the restaurant
unless they vastly improve the quality of the food, and I’d like to see the
site cleaned up particularly once the summer season arrives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiTcDwHnEkLYX8sMVWnjlYlWG4qX0aC9-Fy-f5tHKNMGo-DplxlUC29ziYyGFh3g7YdvbAav2csc9EfvTHbyoAHu8DgDOG1B2OVeFPrBdNc3JIwYUmuBVmtciCaMS7fRVzZsRK_hKZkk/s1600/broadland+sands+photos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiTcDwHnEkLYX8sMVWnjlYlWG4qX0aC9-Fy-f5tHKNMGo-DplxlUC29ziYyGFh3g7YdvbAav2csc9EfvTHbyoAHu8DgDOG1B2OVeFPrBdNc3JIwYUmuBVmtciCaMS7fRVzZsRK_hKZkk/s320/broadland+sands+photos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Line - Sunshineface at Gorleston Beach / on the caravan deck<br />
Middle - Picklepot & I on the caravan deck / Me at Gorleston Beach / With Sunshineface at the clubhouse<br />
Bottom - Picklepot at the site playground / On the clifftops / at Gorleston Beach<br />
Background photo - Gorleston Beach</td></tr>
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-91070477718943934042017-02-05T14:39:00.000+00:002017-02-05T14:39:15.184+00:00Here We Go Again ... The Hunt For Diagnosis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-iognvjM2M/WJc4zcWCh5I/AAAAAAABnQE/jNLa9NVMtkgYfAEyH4hjSkVbD5K_X2jaQCLcB/s1600/1485695187841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-iognvjM2M/WJc4zcWCh5I/AAAAAAABnQE/jNLa9NVMtkgYfAEyH4hjSkVbD5K_X2jaQCLcB/s320/1485695187841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went for the doctor’s
appointment on Wednesday morning last week to get the ball rolling with the
ADHD diagnosis for Picklepot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our appointment was at 9.20am so
we walked to the doctors after morning registration at school (So Picklepot’s
attendance record wouldn’t be affected by missing morning register) and we
arrived at the surgery at 9.10am. I had both boys with me. Sunshineface had a
bad night so I was exhausted and he hadn’t woken up til late, so he’d woken up
and had a nappy change, got dressed and got straight in the pushchair. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The doctors surgery seemed quiet,
and when I booked in on the computer screen it showed a 12 minute waiting time.
Considering we were 10 minutes early for our appointment, I thought that was
fair enough. However the minutes ticked by and it became apparent that the 12
minute waiting time was a gross underestimation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By 9.45am Picklepot was spinning,
flapping and squealing in the waiting room, bored of waiting. There are a few
childrens books on a small table in the corner of the room, and the ones aimed
at really young kids he’d read to Sunshineface, and the ones for older children
had pages ripped out and drawn on which made him upset because someone had done
this awful damage to a book so he didn’t want to look at them. He span and
flapped and squealed some more. I asked him to come and do it near me and not
on the other side of the waiting room just so he wasn’t in danger of
accidentally tripping and falling on someone else, or hitting them with a
flailing hand or foot. I didn’t try to stop the stimming. I knew it was
important for him to release the energy he had inside him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’d already warned him that I
would need to talk to the doctor about him. He said that was OK, because it was
to get the doctor to do a referral to a specialist who could help us better
understand why he finds it so difficult to sit and concentrate like the other
kids do at school. We were called in to see the doctor just after 10am. By this
point Picklepot was bouncing off the walls. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The doctor we saw is what I call
an ‘old school’ doctor. He has a big ancient wooden desk in the middle of his
office, and a huge wooden bookshelf to one side with copies of Grey’s Anatomy
and similar; he has models of skeletal systems, a skull with labelled areas,
coasters that look like scrabble letters with his initials. He also had a Care
Bears beanbag which Picklepot made a bee line for (after dancing around the
room nosing at everything and asking questions about it all).<o:p></o:p></div>
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I didn’t try to stop it. When you’re
there to get your kid referred for an assessment like ADHD the best thing to do
is let them bounce and twirl and talk at ninety miles an hour and fiddle with
everything because it shows the doctor some of what you’re experiencing and why
you’re asking for the referral. So I left Picklepot to it and spoke with the
doctor, who was very much in agreement with me about the need for assessment as
he agrees its pretty obvious Picklepot does have ADHD as well. We discussed the
mess up with the CDC and all of that – and both of us said at the same time “It’s
like they deliberately make it difficult in the hope you’ll give it up”. He
wrote the referral as I sat there. He took the notes I’d made and read though
the letter that Mrs D had given me. (He also made sure he found the copy of it
on the system before allowing me to walk off with that copy again)<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were in there for maybe 10
minutes, but I felt it was a good appointment. He’s definitely on the same page
as me. As I was preparing to leave, he said that parenting could be challenging
at the best of times and parenting a child as full on as Picklepot is an even
bigger challenge but what we must all remember is that the person facing the
biggest challenges here is Picklepot himself, so it’s important we do all we
can to get the right assessments and diagnosis so that he can benefit from the
support available. He said if I don’t hear anything in 4 weeks about an appointment
for assessment he wants me to contact him again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here we go again, we’re going on
a diagnosis hunt, we’re off to find the next one, what a beautiful day, we’re
not scared … <o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-14304242107347358422017-01-18T00:39:00.000+00:002017-01-18T00:39:47.837+00:00Why My Son is being Failed by the System<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YZmyXNrcW4/WH64p_FL7DI/AAAAAAABl1E/fJqRZyPaPQ0-W2FQYZO7PdseXdlWx924gCLcB/s1600/IMG_20170103_180851_885%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YZmyXNrcW4/WH64p_FL7DI/AAAAAAABl1E/fJqRZyPaPQ0-W2FQYZO7PdseXdlWx924gCLcB/s320/IMG_20170103_180851_885%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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It was a long, hard road to get
Picklepot diagnosed with ASD in the first place. I saw countless doctors who
dismissed my concerns for ages, telling me I was over-analysing things, telling
me I was a neurotic first time mother, telling me he couldn’t possibly be
autistic because he made eye contact and because he wasn’t delayed in speech or
language.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Without the support from his
teacher, Miss B, and the school SENCO, Mrs D, I don’t know if I’d have had the
strength to battle on. But they were in my corner, they knew I was right, and
they gave me strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
One doctors appointment the
doctor had the nerve to observe him for all of 30 seconds and then say to me, “He
seems normal to me. Why are you so concerned?” And, bristling from the comment
of ‘seems normal’ – as if an autistic child is ‘abnormal’ by default – I slammed
onto her desk my folder. I have been keeping a diary since Picklepot was in
Reception. It is three and a half inches thick, with pages and pages of my
notes, observations, print outs of information I have found that link autism
signs with behaviour he has displayed. “This” I told her. “Read this. This is
why I think he is on the spectrum.” She frowned at me. “I haven’t got time to
go through all that. But really, he seems fine to me …” I glared at her. Mama
Bear came out to play. “So on the basis of a thirty second appointment he seems
fine to you so I’m meant to go away now am I? No. I’ve done this too many
times. Let me put it this way. If you do <i>not</i>
write a referral for an autism assessment, I will be back here, every day, with
my folder, bugging you for the referral until it happens.” She thought for a
moment. Then she said, “I’ll write a referral for him though, based on your
concerns.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We had various appointments after
that with a specialist paediatrician at the local CDC (Children’s Development
Centre) It was no surprise when he said in December 2014 that Picklepot was on
the spectrum. In fact, it was a relief to hear him say it, after all we had
been through, to finally know that I had been right all along.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I asked the doctor at that point,
“What about the ADHD?” It was a secondary concern. Aware that the two
conditions are known as co-morbid, and children on the autistic spectrum are
far more likely to have ADHD, and with Picklepot displaying so many signs of
it, I wanted a diagnosis for it all in one hit. The paediatrician refused to
diagnose ADHD. “I don’t diagnose it in children of his age. They’re all
displaying signs of it at this age. Come back in a year, and we’ll assess
again.” I said that even his teacher and his SENCO had raised concerns of ADHD,
and they were both well versed in dealing with children of his age (five years
old, at the time) Still he refused, and insisted again on an appointment in a
year to assess.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Fast forward a year. December
2016, and I’m anticipating a letter from the CDC with an appointment for
Picklepot regarding his assessment for ADHD. I don’t receive anything, so I
contact the CDC myself to ask about it. I’m informed that the paediatrician
Picklepot was seeing has now retired. I say OK, so I need an appointment with
his replacement. He said we would have an appointment in December 2016. Oh, says
the receptionist. Looks like he signed off Picklepot as no longer requiring our
care back in Easter. I am by this point very cross. He <i>said</i> we would have another appointment in December 2016 to assess
for ADHD. I was <i>not informed</i> that
Picklepot had been signed off from the CDC. Why was I not <i>made aware?</i> Oh, says the receptionist. We normally send a letter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>We normally send a letter.</i> Well that’s really nice and all for
those who receive a letter, but I didn’t. I’ve lived in the same house for
almost 10 years and I did not receive a single notification from the CDC
telling me that Picklepot was being signed off as I would have called them then
and kicked up hell. So now I’m doing it on the phone, when I was promised a
follow up appointment and I haven’t got one, when I was promised a further
assessment and now I’m being told he has been signed off. No. Hell, no. You are
not getting away with this. Mama Bear is out to play – again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Well how do I arrange an
appointment for the assessment then?” I ask her. She informs me that he now
needs to be re-referred into the CDC system. They will hold a meeting and
decide whether the concerns raised warrant him attending an appointment to see
if he needs an assessment for ADHD. I grit my teeth and ask, “How do I get him
referred?” Oh, she says, either your GP or your school SENCO can do that. I ask
her to confirm, as they would never accept a referral direct from SENCO for the
ASD assessment. She confirms, Oh yes, the school SENCO can do it, that’s
absolutely fine. So I hang up, and I go and speak with Mrs D, the school SENCO.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Lovely as ever, Mrs D says that’s
fine, that’s not a problem, of course I will write a referral for an
assessment, lets get this ball rolling and hurry up with this diagnosis. She
knows as well as I do that in the last year, the signs of ADHD have increased
in Picklepot, and he is now an anxious ball of emotions bursting at the seams
and I am desperate for some help in soothing him. Mrs D then makes a call to the
CDC to triple check she can definitely do the referral. Oh yes, she’s told,
that’s fine. Who do I address it to, she asks. They give her a name.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Mrs D writes up a referral, and
she sends a copy to the CDC, to the name they have provided her with as the
person best placed to deal with ADHD referral assessment appointments, and she
sends a copy to me, and a copy to our GP, and keeps a copy on file herself. We
wait. Christmas looms closer and Picklepot becomes even more anxious, even more
emotional, bursting into tears without notice, becoming violently angry with no
apparent reason (to us), screaming and shouting and kicking and throwing things
and then sobbing in my arms afterwards because he says he doesn’t want to be a
naughty boy, he wants to be a good boy but he gets upset and his brain doesn’t
work properly. My poor beloved boy, so desperate to fit in, to be like his
peers, to not have these outbursts, crying because it all gets too much for him
and he doesn’t have any other way of letting it out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Mrs D receives a letter back from
the person at the CDC she was told to write to. <i>I am not the person you need to discuss this with; The CDC do not do
assessment for ADHD; The patients GP needs to refer the patient to the correct
department</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why was I told by the previous paediatrician
that the CDC did assess for ADHD?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why was I not told by the
previous paediatrician that he was signing off my boy before that assessment
happened?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why was I then told it was OK for
SENCO to refer for assessment for ADHD?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why was SENCO then given the name
of the person to contact at the CDC for assessment for ADHD?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So many unanswered questions. I’ll
probably never know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At the moment, we’re waiting for
an appointment with our GP, which is not until February (the soonest available appointment)
Despite the fact it’s an appointment for the GP to refer Picklepot for
assessment, not the actual assessment itself, I have to take Picklepot with me,
my notes and my word aren’t apparently good enough to believe. Regardless of
the fact this is a GP and not an expert paediatrician who fully comprehends and
understands ADHD / ASD, I have to subject my child to being regarded by this
stranger before we can get an assessment. I have to break his usual routine of
school to take him to the appointment, so he will be upset about that. I have
to sit in the doctors office and talk about him in front of him as if he isn’t
in the room, something he absolutely hates, so he will be upset about that. I
have to tell the GP why I think my eldest boy needs assessment for ADHD, so he
will overhear me and think it is something he has done wrong or that he should
change about himself, so he will be upset about that. And after all of that
upset, I might get the referral for the assessment that we need.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The system is seriously flawed.
After all of that upset, on top of how emotionally charged, raw and anxious
Picklepot has been recently, he is going to be through the roof with his
emotions. And it isn’t the CDC who will help calm him down when he’s sobbing
his heart out and gasping for breath. And it isn’t the GP who will help soothe
his fears when he’s awake in the middle of the night screaming in fear because he
knows he is different and he says his brain doesn’t work properly and he doesn’t
understand why. And it won’t be the receptionists I’ve spoken to who deal with
the temper and having things thrown at them and having him lash out at them
because he has all this emotion inside and he doesn’t know what to do with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh no, it’s not those who
exacerbate the issue who have to deal with it. That would be me, his dad, his grandparents,
his teachers at school. This system is flawed, and it’s failing my son.<o:p></o:p></div>
Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-57857559680682174232016-09-17T23:53:00.001+01:002016-09-18T00:02:43.580+01:00Zeta Vooom<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JegUDSV5Y1U/V93LcVSdchI/AAAAAAABYDg/HhBTO-t_DlcqomJpKM59oL5DAmhc-J8ugCLcB/s1600/MummyP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JegUDSV5Y1U/V93LcVSdchI/AAAAAAABYDg/HhBTO-t_DlcqomJpKM59oL5DAmhc-J8ugCLcB/s320/MummyP.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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As Baby A gets older, I needed to
make sure that I am happy with the pushchair I have for him to take out with
us. Up til now I have used the <a href="http://mummypblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/maxi-cosi-mura-plus.html" target="_blank">Quinny Zapp</a> chassis with his Pebble carseat on
it as it’s easy and convenient and ideal for short trips to the shops, but for
a day out it isn’t suitable to leave him in his carseat for too long, and the
Zapp isn’t great off road. My normal pushchair, the <a href="http://mummypblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/maxi-cosi-mura-plus.html" target="_blank">Maxi-Cosi Mura Plus</a>, is
great for all terrain and has a lovely big comfortable seat, but it is a chunky
beast and getting it into the boot of my car is awkward, as I have to remove
the rear wheels from the chassis and lie the seat unit over it in a certain way
to make it all fit. It doesn’t leave any space for bags which means I can’t do
any shopping, and if we’re going out for the day it means I have nowhere to put
the picnic bag, the change of clothes you inevitably need when you have two
young boys, so I wanted to find something suitable for us to use.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I did my research, as always, and
found that a highly recommended lightweight buggy was the <a href="http://baby-travel.uk.com/products/new-zeta-vooom-ocean-complete-plain-padded-footmuff-liner-stroller-pushchair" target="_blank">Zeta Vooom</a>. I liked
what I saw, and I found it for an excellent price from Baby
Travel, which included the Footmuff. I made my order for the Vooom in the Ocean
colour, and waited for my delivery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCtksnNyYAMqjcwwkFKOFn1osAFaZvZ_I4-4rfY7Jsm9TlG2xS87E7Yu5Su__MlTlT2aCDj1KWBsmVKJqVliGapzoiloaphI2k_eLSK30NAxlPDQVjHS24acx4O3UuIw0XWzt3EAsBoQ/s1600/20160908_132306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCtksnNyYAMqjcwwkFKOFn1osAFaZvZ_I4-4rfY7Jsm9TlG2xS87E7Yu5Su__MlTlT2aCDj1KWBsmVKJqVliGapzoiloaphI2k_eLSK30NAxlPDQVjHS24acx4O3UuIw0XWzt3EAsBoQ/s320/20160908_132306.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When it arrived it was in a tall,
slim box and I wondered how it had fitted, but as an umberella fold pushchair
it doesn’t need much space. The only thing I had to do was add the front wheels
and it was ready to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDojhzJ9vt7axbz6kBxSi4CkqqqBbVrQxtkq7X1Dnnyq2nN6bXsU1LjHNEG0utXip2PFjiO4IAz46gn8-_GzMigiuncdkRaEZGGZlqTjuy02hcTLqWP8ohLSSSisN9SFHAwnanl7RBKQ/s1600/20160908_135327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDojhzJ9vt7axbz6kBxSi4CkqqqBbVrQxtkq7X1Dnnyq2nN6bXsU1LjHNEG0utXip2PFjiO4IAz46gn8-_GzMigiuncdkRaEZGGZlqTjuy02hcTLqWP8ohLSSSisN9SFHAwnanl7RBKQ/s320/20160908_135327.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The sun canopy is vast. It covers
very well, with an extra piece at the front that can either offer additional
protection or which can be held back with a toggle if it isn’t needed; it’s a
wonderful size and offers brilliant coverage regardless of the recline position
the seat is in. The seat offers four recline positions, each easily achieved by
the simple buttons either side of the seat back. The most reclined position is almost a lie
flat, making it perfect for naptime. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxN1YbSwf7ImKKfaHsiaEk8PgynkxlapC5cLUDBGA858UYVtAYEpH0jXaYIdkC7MXFA8CJJVdr9hZlp2CWIsWaNmStPFf_lCG9Nu2TGrDoq5PMheRnuaTlqQUMGTnSbgJoxpaQ3KyANg/s1600/20160908_135453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxN1YbSwf7ImKKfaHsiaEk8PgynkxlapC5cLUDBGA858UYVtAYEpH0jXaYIdkC7MXFA8CJJVdr9hZlp2CWIsWaNmStPFf_lCG9Nu2TGrDoq5PMheRnuaTlqQUMGTnSbgJoxpaQ3KyANg/s320/20160908_135453.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
There’s a small viewing window in the
hood, so you can peep in and see if baby has fallen asleep and recline them if
necessary while you’re out and about.<br />
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</div>
There is a very good size shopping basket
as well as a pocket on the back of the sun canopy drop which is perfect for your
purse, mobile phone and keys and feels much safer to me than putting them in
the shopping basket. <br />
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The front wheels are swivel wheels, making the turning circle
very small, but if you want to lock them in position you can do (great for off
road) by clicking the switch on the top of each wheel unit. The handlebars are
foam covered and very comfortable to grip – you can push the Vooom with one
hand no problem and you don’t feel like you’re fighting against it. As Baby A
is still only a year old, he has the seat up at the front because his legs aren’t
long enough to dangle comfortably, but you have the option of having it set up
or down, depending on the side of the child. <br />
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The seat itself is a nice quality,
with padded harness covers and plenty of adjustment in the harness to make is
suitable from new-born up to 15kg (around 4 yrs old) The fold is nice and
simple and the pushchair collapses down to a long, slim size ideal for stowing
in the car boot. There’s a transport clip to hold it all together once folded,
and a carry handle on the side of the chassis making lifting and carrying it
when folded much easier. I am so impressed with the nice touches on this
pushchair, the thought that has gone into it, for such a low price. The Footmuff
is also lovely – it comes with a headhugger, which you’d use if you were using
the pushchair from birth, and the headhugger and inside of the Footmuff is a
lovely soft fleece fabric, making it feel very cosy and comfortable. The front
of the Footmuff can be completely unzipped, so you can also use the back of it
as a seat liner if you prefer. I think I’m going to take advantage of that when
we start using the pushchair more often for days out, as it’s easier to remove
a liner and wash it than it is to try and clean the pushchair seat fabric
itself.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This pushchair is almost perfect –
very nearly almost perfect. It has a couple of downfalls, which may just be me
being fussy, but there you go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span>The seat unit doesn’t go parent facing. Now Baby
A is a year old this isn’t such a massive thing, but personally I do prefer the
option, and I’d never use anything for a new-born that wasn’t parent facing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span>The brakes are a bit iffy. They’re very basic press
on / lift to release and you have to press on with quite a bit of force to get
them to engage properly. The first couple of times I thought I’d put them on
they hadn’t quite clicked in properly so they weren’t holding the back wheels
still. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span><!--[endif]-->The raincover is a bit pathetic. It goes over
the handles and over the sun canopy beautifully and I had high hopes for it,
but then the front of it doesn’t fit around the pushchair seat very well and
there are Velcro strips to do up around the chassis near the front wheels to
hold it in place which I can see being a faff to put on in a downpour and which
won’t stop a kicking toddler from getting the raincover off. Since the size of
it isn’t great, it leaves a gap between the seat and the raincover down both
sides, so in particularly wet weather it isn’t going to keep your baby
completely dry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnjWlON25hz9tfYzNmqSoqX1RRZhOcrpWfrYNvfurbUWwi3MsKT1ZH0JCw9JvJP1LUURIB8UwvNqkoPwjD0Cg9QATI88OOuwt8UkFt6RSbd6Hcp_S8gOn3HSgNDYE0X3kOPEH8oud9T8/s1600/20160908_135153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnjWlON25hz9tfYzNmqSoqX1RRZhOcrpWfrYNvfurbUWwi3MsKT1ZH0JCw9JvJP1LUURIB8UwvNqkoPwjD0Cg9QATI88OOuwt8UkFt6RSbd6Hcp_S8gOn3HSgNDYE0X3kOPEH8oud9T8/s320/20160908_135153.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span>The wheels are plastic and they look a bit
cheap. I don’t know how long they’ll last. They don’t make that awful rattly
sound that some pushchair wheels make, but I don’t know that they’ll do many
miles before they need replacing. We’ll have to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On the whole I am very impressed
with this pushchair, and very pleased with my bargain purchase. For what I paid
the pushchair is excellent, and it meets my needs for it. Once we’ve done a few
more trips out with it we’ll see how well it fares but at the moment I am very
satisfied with my Zeta Vooom and would encourage parents looking for a compact stroller
to check it out. Delivery from Baby Travel was prompt, though the courier
reference number they gave me didn’t work when I spoke with the courier they
were able to track the parcel and tell me when it would be delivered, so that
was all good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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I’d give this lovely little pushchair a
four out of five.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ21CJbtEZL9c8sgWVVsgoFD2JIrDq_g64EIWCsRa0xvGsgD_xSCYlTzyHl-YXuxndEe3STii6Wzi4xeAxLgxl80tmAI9SOTC3uEeG0_pKKC9zW16hKWeKkkxYTyf_791IrpAO-0Wdres/s1600/4-Stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ21CJbtEZL9c8sgWVVsgoFD2JIrDq_g64EIWCsRa0xvGsgD_xSCYlTzyHl-YXuxndEe3STii6Wzi4xeAxLgxl80tmAI9SOTC3uEeG0_pKKC9zW16hKWeKkkxYTyf_791IrpAO-0Wdres/s320/4-Stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338163113696261960.post-52631343800322046932016-09-17T23:53:00.000+01:002016-09-18T00:02:28.724+01:00Zeta Vooom<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JegUDSV5Y1U/V93LcVSdchI/AAAAAAABYDg/HhBTO-t_DlcqomJpKM59oL5DAmhc-J8ugCLcB/s1600/MummyP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JegUDSV5Y1U/V93LcVSdchI/AAAAAAABYDg/HhBTO-t_DlcqomJpKM59oL5DAmhc-J8ugCLcB/s320/MummyP.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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As Baby A gets older, I needed to
make sure that I am happy with the pushchair I have for him to take out with
us. Up til now I have used the <a href="http://mummypblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/maxi-cosi-mura-plus.html" target="_blank">Quinny Zapp</a> chassis with his Pebble carseat on
it as it’s easy and convenient and ideal for short trips to the shops, but for
a day out it isn’t suitable to leave him in his carseat for too long, and the
Zapp isn’t great off road. My normal pushchair, the <a href="http://mummypblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/maxi-cosi-mura-plus.html" target="_blank">Maxi-Cosi Mura Plus</a>, is
great for all terrain and has a lovely big comfortable seat, but it is a chunky
beast and getting it into the boot of my car is awkward, as I have to remove
the rear wheels from the chassis and lie the seat unit over it in a certain way
to make it all fit. It doesn’t leave any space for bags which means I can’t do
any shopping, and if we’re going out for the day it means I have nowhere to put
the picnic bag, the change of clothes you inevitably need when you have two
young boys, so I wanted to find something suitable for us to use.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I did my research, as always, and
found that a highly recommended lightweight buggy was the <a href="http://baby-travel.uk.com/products/new-zeta-vooom-ocean-complete-plain-padded-footmuff-liner-stroller-pushchair" target="_blank">Zeta Vooom</a>. I liked
what I saw, and I found it for an excellent price from Baby
Travel, which included the Footmuff. I made my order for the Vooom in the Ocean
colour, and waited for my delivery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCtksnNyYAMqjcwwkFKOFn1osAFaZvZ_I4-4rfY7Jsm9TlG2xS87E7Yu5Su__MlTlT2aCDj1KWBsmVKJqVliGapzoiloaphI2k_eLSK30NAxlPDQVjHS24acx4O3UuIw0XWzt3EAsBoQ/s1600/20160908_132306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCtksnNyYAMqjcwwkFKOFn1osAFaZvZ_I4-4rfY7Jsm9TlG2xS87E7Yu5Su__MlTlT2aCDj1KWBsmVKJqVliGapzoiloaphI2k_eLSK30NAxlPDQVjHS24acx4O3UuIw0XWzt3EAsBoQ/s320/20160908_132306.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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When it arrived it was in a tall,
slim box and I wondered how it had fitted, but as an umberella fold pushchair
it doesn’t need much space. The only thing I had to do was add the front wheels
and it was ready to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDojhzJ9vt7axbz6kBxSi4CkqqqBbVrQxtkq7X1Dnnyq2nN6bXsU1LjHNEG0utXip2PFjiO4IAz46gn8-_GzMigiuncdkRaEZGGZlqTjuy02hcTLqWP8ohLSSSisN9SFHAwnanl7RBKQ/s1600/20160908_135327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDojhzJ9vt7axbz6kBxSi4CkqqqBbVrQxtkq7X1Dnnyq2nN6bXsU1LjHNEG0utXip2PFjiO4IAz46gn8-_GzMigiuncdkRaEZGGZlqTjuy02hcTLqWP8ohLSSSisN9SFHAwnanl7RBKQ/s320/20160908_135327.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The sun canopy is vast. It covers
very well, with an extra piece at the front that can either offer additional
protection or which can be held back with a toggle if it isn’t needed; it’s a
wonderful size and offers brilliant coverage regardless of the recline position
the seat is in. The seat offers four recline positions, each easily achieved by
the simple buttons either side of the seat back. The most reclined position is almost a lie
flat, making it perfect for naptime. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxN1YbSwf7ImKKfaHsiaEk8PgynkxlapC5cLUDBGA858UYVtAYEpH0jXaYIdkC7MXFA8CJJVdr9hZlp2CWIsWaNmStPFf_lCG9Nu2TGrDoq5PMheRnuaTlqQUMGTnSbgJoxpaQ3KyANg/s1600/20160908_135453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxN1YbSwf7ImKKfaHsiaEk8PgynkxlapC5cLUDBGA858UYVtAYEpH0jXaYIdkC7MXFA8CJJVdr9hZlp2CWIsWaNmStPFf_lCG9Nu2TGrDoq5PMheRnuaTlqQUMGTnSbgJoxpaQ3KyANg/s320/20160908_135453.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
There’s a small viewing window in the
hood, so you can peep in and see if baby has fallen asleep and recline them if
necessary while you’re out and about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSCIjEcVCir_qqNmqvyCq7oz4yzTr1qeWMGCibXUcoXaNLH5ozT8zL9vOjrpJKEjb6VvfSzcCbD0VHRXxxxzzmCi_EIGEJNwcq5lBfSGrj1JQLYZs5a32VF_loRIuK6nUUBYdB7LznUM/s1600/20160908_135359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSCIjEcVCir_qqNmqvyCq7oz4yzTr1qeWMGCibXUcoXaNLH5ozT8zL9vOjrpJKEjb6VvfSzcCbD0VHRXxxxzzmCi_EIGEJNwcq5lBfSGrj1JQLYZs5a32VF_loRIuK6nUUBYdB7LznUM/s320/20160908_135359.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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There is a very good size shopping basket
as well as a pocket on the back of the sun canopy drop which is perfect for your
purse, mobile phone and keys and feels much safer to me than putting them in
the shopping basket. <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dn8OeHmsp50/V93Gldu_obI/AAAAAAABYDE/B8WFTwyV1FUmuUjZf4kEPcWPGsUb7IPcQCEw/s1600/20160908_135408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dn8OeHmsp50/V93Gldu_obI/AAAAAAABYDE/B8WFTwyV1FUmuUjZf4kEPcWPGsUb7IPcQCEw/s320/20160908_135408.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
The front wheels are swivel wheels, making the turning circle
very small, but if you want to lock them in position you can do (great for off
road) by clicking the switch on the top of each wheel unit. The handlebars are
foam covered and very comfortable to grip – you can push the Vooom with one
hand no problem and you don’t feel like you’re fighting against it. As Baby A
is still only a year old, he has the seat up at the front because his legs aren’t
long enough to dangle comfortably, but you have the option of having it set up
or down, depending on the side of the child. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC49SbsNcMIuA3pbjdc5kXMY7ULOK51PHrDAyaXO7gIZiSx4TFM5vMJ0qLGlxvCXPcV0NanupjfDgEe735sK7_gaIagvuMi0GR7K2q3PJ1m-wBxr2sF2DAaI3cVCkluiJZKZMGany8J6g/s1600/20160908_135535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC49SbsNcMIuA3pbjdc5kXMY7ULOK51PHrDAyaXO7gIZiSx4TFM5vMJ0qLGlxvCXPcV0NanupjfDgEe735sK7_gaIagvuMi0GR7K2q3PJ1m-wBxr2sF2DAaI3cVCkluiJZKZMGany8J6g/s320/20160908_135535.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
The seat itself is a nice quality,
with padded harness covers and plenty of adjustment in the harness to make is
suitable from new-born up to 15kg (around 4 yrs old) The fold is nice and
simple and the pushchair collapses down to a long, slim size ideal for stowing
in the car boot. There’s a transport clip to hold it all together once folded,
and a carry handle on the side of the chassis making lifting and carrying it
when folded much easier. I am so impressed with the nice touches on this
pushchair, the thought that has gone into it, for such a low price. The Footmuff
is also lovely – it comes with a headhugger, which you’d use if you were using
the pushchair from birth, and the headhugger and inside of the Footmuff is a
lovely soft fleece fabric, making it feel very cosy and comfortable. The front
of the Footmuff can be completely unzipped, so you can also use the back of it
as a seat liner if you prefer. I think I’m going to take advantage of that when
we start using the pushchair more often for days out, as it’s easier to remove
a liner and wash it than it is to try and clean the pushchair seat fabric
itself.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This pushchair is almost perfect –
very nearly almost perfect. It has a couple of downfalls, which may just be me
being fussy, but there you go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span>The seat unit doesn’t go parent facing. Now Baby
A is a year old this isn’t such a massive thing, but personally I do prefer the
option, and I’d never use anything for a new-born that wasn’t parent facing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span>The brakes are a bit iffy. They’re very basic press
on / lift to release and you have to press on with quite a bit of force to get
them to engage properly. The first couple of times I thought I’d put them on
they hadn’t quite clicked in properly so they weren’t holding the back wheels
still. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span><!--[endif]-->The raincover is a bit pathetic. It goes over
the handles and over the sun canopy beautifully and I had high hopes for it,
but then the front of it doesn’t fit around the pushchair seat very well and
there are Velcro strips to do up around the chassis near the front wheels to
hold it in place which I can see being a faff to put on in a downpour and which
won’t stop a kicking toddler from getting the raincover off. Since the size of
it isn’t great, it leaves a gap between the seat and the raincover down both
sides, so in particularly wet weather it isn’t going to keep your baby
completely dry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnjWlON25hz9tfYzNmqSoqX1RRZhOcrpWfrYNvfurbUWwi3MsKT1ZH0JCw9JvJP1LUURIB8UwvNqkoPwjD0Cg9QATI88OOuwt8UkFt6RSbd6Hcp_S8gOn3HSgNDYE0X3kOPEH8oud9T8/s1600/20160908_135153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnjWlON25hz9tfYzNmqSoqX1RRZhOcrpWfrYNvfurbUWwi3MsKT1ZH0JCw9JvJP1LUURIB8UwvNqkoPwjD0Cg9QATI88OOuwt8UkFt6RSbd6Hcp_S8gOn3HSgNDYE0X3kOPEH8oud9T8/s320/20160908_135153.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span>The wheels are plastic and they look a bit
cheap. I don’t know how long they’ll last. They don’t make that awful rattly
sound that some pushchair wheels make, but I don’t know that they’ll do many
miles before they need replacing. We’ll have to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On the whole I am very impressed
with this pushchair, and very pleased with my bargain purchase. For what I paid
the pushchair is excellent, and it meets my needs for it. Once we’ve done a few
more trips out with it we’ll see how well it fares but at the moment I am very
satisfied with my Zeta Vooom and would encourage parents looking for a compact stroller
to check it out. Delivery from Baby Travel was prompt, though the courier
reference number they gave me didn’t work when I spoke with the courier they
were able to track the parcel and tell me when it would be delivered, so that
was all good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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I’d give this lovely little pushchair a
four out of five.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mummy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10894077000869403480noreply@blogger.com0