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Claire

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Former teacher, now full time single Mum to three boisterous boys. My eldest has a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome and my youngest is under investigation for an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), so family life is never dull!

WICKKEED stepdad!: 6 May 2008 I’ve read quite a lot around step families or ‘blended families’ as they are sometimes called and, for once, I count myself lucky. With all the other problems in my life at the moment, the fact that the bloke living with my children is not their father, is not one of them....
The case for respite: 24 April 2008 One tends to naturally think that families should stay together. When they seek appropriate foster parents for siblings, agencies try where possible to keep them together, assuming of course that it is in the children’s best interest. As an only child, I was sure that it was the only way siblings should be. I didn't have any brothers or sisters myself, so lacked first hand experience on the subject...
Animal Farm: 26 March 2008 You know, there are definite advantages to having pets. Oh I know all the downsides, like having to find someone to pet-sit when you are on holiday, the responsibility, the vet's bills, the expense of food, bedding, flea collars, and not to mention of course the time it takes to clean them out, walk them, groom them, feed them and of course bury them when they take their last breath.
DIY schooling: 6 March 2008 When I was actively teaching, I always had a rather scathing view of people who home educated their children, probably because I was a bit put out at the thought of these lay people thinking they could do a better job than the professionals.....
Peace at Last!: 29 January 2008 Well, here I am in my just-cleaned-and-still-nice-and-tidy kitchen drinking coffee and watching daytime TV. Have I been committed to a loony asylum? No. Have I been incarcerated into penal servitude? No. Have I run away screaming and been saved by a bunch of nuns? No. Have I had the children adopted? No. I have a new condition. Its called S.A.R.C.A.S.M. Serene As Remaining Children At School Mother.
Location, Location, Location: 15 January 2008 I know what you're thinking. We’ve hardly got Christmas over and there she is, rabbiting on about holidays already! Well, I suppose it comes of being a one-parent family and the fact that the children’s father and I have to share them out in the holidays. Lucky for them, might I add! The lucky bleeders get double bubble. Last year I took them to Cyprus and Paris (Eurodisney) and their Dad took them to Scotland and Wales plus they got at least two camping trips as well...
Is he ready for Big School?: 21 December 2007
So, if I’m a bit more anxious than other parents who will be watching their children traipse off to ‘Big School’, can you blame me?
Christmas vs Chanukah: 4 December 2007 “You’ve more money than sense, that’s your problem” my husband used to say to me. And now that we’ve gone our separate paths you’d think I’d get some sense and realise that I don’t have to do both Chanukah AND Christmas festivities in my house any more! (I know it seems a bit of a contradiction but it was for the benefit of teaching the kids diversity – honest!)...
Parents Beware - Christmas is coming!!!: 13 November 2007 Just when you thought you could wind down! Just when you thought you could stop jumping out of your skin when some teenager on a death wish sets off ANOTHER banger in the grassed area outside the house AGAIN! The ghost and ghoulie phase is over for another year…put those witch's hats away in the loft till next year and the fear of firework injury fades again. I have a theory that the Guy Fawkes and Halloween festivities were deliberately place in the calendar at this time of year to prepare us all mentally and physically for THE BIGGIE!!!!!! CHRISTMAS OF COURSE!!
Miscarriage: 11 October 2007 I guess deep down I knew there was something wrong which is why I didn’t joyously go blurting it out to everyone the moment I found out I was pregnant. I’ve just had a miscarriage. And I was only just getting used to the idea, and relishing that feeling of being special, that you get when you are pregnant...
Exhausted...: 2 October 2007 I’m tired today. My little autistic four-year-old wakes up regularly in the night and doesn’t seem to settle until he’s in my bed. And he’s a wriggly so and so. Least to say that I having been suffering from compounded sleep deprivation…and it’s no good for my tolerance and patience levels...
Call me mad.......: 11 September 2007 Call me mad if you like – I know many of my friends who are in the know already do, but I’m TTC. In the world of fertility clinics, IVF treatment centres and infertile couples, that means Trying To Conceive. So, you may well ask, being a single mother, over 40, with three boys, two of them on the spectrum, what on EARTH am I thinking of?
Starting the statementing process: 25 July 2007 Jack's not developing at school like he should. I think it's time I tried to get a statement of special educational needs to help him, but I'm sure it's going to be a long, hard, process.
Is anybody out there?: 6 July 2007
As a result of my ‘crisis’ last week, I decided it was time to review my network of support and discover what I was entitled to in terms of help, respite, intervention programmes, and whatever else was available to help me care for my three children, two of whom have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
How long before a meltdown?: 2 July 2007 It got to a point with Jack, my eight year old who has Asperger’s syndrome, that I appealed to his Dad to take custody of him because I had had enough. I couldn’t take it anymore.
At last! A diagnosis for Samuel: 14 May 2007 With one child already diagnosed as being on the Autistic Spectrum, you'd have thought I'd be dreading another diagnosis for my youngest, Samuel. As it was, I just felt relieved that I'd been right to keep pushing for one...
So this is what separation feels like: 24 April 2007 Even Jack said with a sigh whilst packing his toy bag, “I suppose you and Daddy really ARE never going to live with each other again.
All the help in the world isn't enough: 11 April 2007
We can't get an appointment so the therapist sent some advice sheets. What is this? Do-it-yourself speech therapy?!
Middle Child Syndrome - multiplied: 2 April 2007 Now, I know that he is a middle child and may be at a disadvantage. However I believe that he is suffering from the added pressure of being sandwiched between two autistic brothers.
Pity we look so normal: 28 March 2007 Bringing up three boys single-handed is difficult for anyone but even more so when one or more has a disability. One of the biggest struggles I have with this particular disability is its invisibility.

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Claire