50 days of River

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

autism

  • Day 21: The Fine Line Between Helicopter Parenting and Chaos

    Morning Mood: Realising I’m Doing Too Much I woke up grumpy today. Not “wrong side of the bed” grumpy, more “why am I packing everyone’s emotional and physical suitcases all the time” grumpy. Even on holiday, I’m making sure everyone has what they need for breakfast, that iPads are charged, that Summer’s at her swimming Read more

  • Day 20: Eat, Swim, Repeat

    Too Noisy, Thank You Very Much I didn’t honestly think River would be asleep by 8pm, not with the bass from the entertainment stage shaking the walls. And I was right. Ten minutes later he was back on his rocky racetrack, tiptoeing his favourite loop, completely in his element. He wandered over to the stage Read more

  • Day 19: The Plan Actually Worked

    A Night of Mr Worldwide River actually enjoyed some of the entertainment last night. He found a little circular planting area and walked round and round in time to the music like it was his personal racetrack. Summer, meanwhile, was at the front making friends and getting very involved in the quiz. Our room is Read more

  • Day 18: The Recce

    A Glorious Sleep He slept! I slept. We all slept and yes, there may have been some all-inclusive wine involved. Only the white one though, the pink one tastes like candy floss. I woke up at 7am (6am UK time) and had that momentary Where am I? panic. Checked on River, happily asleep, upside down, Read more

  • 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