50 days of River

Fifty days of River: Connection, isolation and everything in between.

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  • Day 17: Everything, Everywhere, All Before Take-Off

    The Day Begins (Far Too) Early The day began bright and early at 5.30am, yep, our flight wasn’t till 2pm but that’s not going to stop River. Kike gets up with him, puts on Mutant Turtles and tries to sneak back to bed… but the noise has already awoken Summer, who happily launches herself onto Read more

  • Day 16: The Night Before

    The Spark of an Idea A few months ago, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, another summer looming with no holiday plans, when I came across an article about new SEND-friendly resorts offered by TUI. I had a click. It looked promising. The staff are all “trained” in working with neurodiversity, which probably Read more

  • Day 15: Six Hours of Me (Sort Of)

    A Different Kind of Start 7am start, not too bad. He’s in a good mood as always and happily comes skipping into the living room. I leave Summer for another hour or so while I make her lunch and get myself ready because today is… my time off. Kike is taking River to work. I Read more

  • Day 14: Social Circles and Safe Spaces

    A Monday Reset, A Tuesday Start Quick continuation from last night: just after Kike got home, a friend messaged me asking if I wanted to go for a walk. I was so tired and wanted the day to end so badly but I knew I needed this. Half an hour later, I met her and Read more

  • Day 13: Mondays Are the Hardest

    The Stillness After the Storm These are the days I don’t do so well. The weekend was full: family, friends, little errands. Then Monday rolls around. Summer’s lunch is made and she’s off with Kike at 9am. Just River and me now. No plans, no structure. The house is filthy but I don’t know where Read more

  • Day 12: When Did You Know?

    A quiet Sunday, a tired body and a look back at the start of River’s journey. Sundays Aren’t Always Rest Days So, bed day didn’t quite happen straight away: children wake up, houses need cleaning, meals need to be made. Kike has injured his neck so he’s in a lot of pain and also has Read more

  • Day 11: Haircuts, Meltdowns & BBQs

    The Promise of a Slower Start It’s Saturday, so that means one thing: Kike is not at work!River woke up at 5.45am. I listened to him for a bit, but by 6am I nudged Kike –  today, I needed some time. A little breathing space. Summer and I had a haircut booked, something I was Read more

  • Day 10: A Little Bag and a Big Plan

    Dancing on Platforms and Packing Light I had such a fun time last night. There’s something almost magical about trading in the mum bag.  heavy with juice cartons, wipes, emergency jelly babies, and vaguely food-ish substances, for a small bag with just a phone, wallet and (annoyingly) my meds. I danced on the train platform Read more

  • Day 9: “NO MOVIE THEATRE!”

    Morning Confusion and Banana Bread Drama This morning I was back facing the task of taking River to do the theatre drop-off, but this time I had planned something for him. We were going to a theatre show! I explained that we were going to the movie theatre (that’s what he calls it) to see Read more

  • Day 8: No Flower, No Fence, No Bouncy Castle

    A Little Regret 6am wake-up. We’re back to this again.It’s OK though, I actually had quite an early night after the disaster that was ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ It all started brilliantly. I’d forgotten how much I loved some of the songs and managed to convince (force) both children to put down their iPads and Read more