Posts Filed Under Holiday

Birthdays, Holidays and Other Misadventures

January 25, 2013 by in Anxiety, Holiday with 0 Comments

A turns 6 today, and is in the final two weeks of an eight week long summer holiday break from school. We have been trialling an artificial colour,  flavour and preservative diet (which is whole other post on its own) to see if this improves A’s anxiety, and thought it certainly wouldn’t be of any harm to our general health either.  Although I only work part time, even if my husband and I take separate holidays all year we can’t cover them all, so A and Little Brother get to spend time with their grandparents. So far we had all been very impressed and a little surprised at the way A had handled the constant change to his routine and varied diet.

On the weekend A had a birthday party to attend for one of his school friends on the Saturday afternoon then we had planned his own party for the Sunday afternoon. Last year it rained for his pony party, this year we had a weekend of 38o C heat, we just can’t win! A was fine at his friend’s party. His mum had organised water guns and a water balloon fight which was perfect for a hot day. But his social differences did show, he couldn’t transition between the activities as fast as the other kids but he still had a great time. By Sunday afternoon the weather was just as hot, but the kids didn’t seem to mind, they just alternated between the jumping castle and running through the garden sprinkler!

The next day was Monday and we spent the morning packing for our 5 nights away up at the Sunshine Coast (about one and a half hours drive away). Our first full day was forecast to be raining so we planned to visit Underwater World (www.underwaterworld.com.au) at Mooloolaba. It’s an aquarium with lots of fish displays, a touch pool for the kids, a walk through shark tunnel and a seal show.

These days I am very into checking things out online before we go anywhere. The afternoon before I got A to check out the brochure I had picked up from reception and showed him the website. Yes, he was keen. I booked and paid for the tickets on line so that we would be able to jump the queue (and also saved 25%…bonus for me) which is what we do wherever possible these days to alleviate (mainly my) stress having to wait in a long line. We didn’t have access to a printer, but I found a USB stick in the bottom of my handbag we were able to make a quick stop at Office Works on the way to print out the ticket and arrived just before the aquarium opened. …continue reading

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Do’s and Dont’s for Holidays and Family Gatherings

December 31, 2012 by in Autism, Behavior, Holiday, SPD with 6 Comments

After a combination of a recent trip over the mountains to visit my family as well as the holidays that are barely done, I have felt a growing need to write up and educational pamphlet for my family and friends. I don’t expect my family or friends to understand the ins and outs of living life within the context of two children with special needs. But if I could leave out a display of pamphlets for people to take when they come to visit, or have a stack on hand to distribute when we visit someone else, it would save me so much stress and gray hair.

1. Yelling to announce your arrival to the entire family when you come through the door is above and beyond what my kids can tolerate, when combined with the noise of all the other people who are already in the house.

2. Marveling at how Boy 1 or Boy 2 just don’t listen, and then commenting, “You always stopped when I told you to. You knew when enough was enough”, is not helpful. In fact, it feels like a thinly disguised insult.

3. If you know that Boy 2 has an impressively difficult time with impulse control, please do not put any delicate decorations within his grasp. I am not an octopus and don’t have eyes covering all angles of my head. It is physically impossible for me to watch him every single moment in order to guard your fragile goods. …continue reading


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Restoring the Faith in Humanity (or How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Enjoy Santa)

December 22, 2012 in Autism, Holiday, SPD with 3 Comments

This morning, as I gave my heart a hug as he squirmed, a kiss on the top of his delicate forehead, and helped hoist his little 3.5-year old frame up a set of school bus

An SPD Christmas is Still About Jesus

December 20, 2012 in Anxiety, Avoiders, Holiday, Sensory Diet, SPD with 3 Comments

I haven’t been writing much about my son’s SPD lately. I wish it was because the signs have diminished and things were improving. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, because of the holidays – parties, programs,

I Have A Little Dreidel (An SPD Hanukkah 2012)

December 7, 2012 in Behavior, Holiday, Parenting, SPD with 2 Comments

Happy Hanukkah! It’s my kids’ favorite holiday, and we’re getting ourselves ready for eight nights full of celebration. This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown on December 8th, so we’ve just barely had time to change

Not Your Average Mall Santa

December 5, 2012 in Autism, Behavior, Holiday, Parenting, Victories with 5 Comments

This was not just about seeing Santa. This was not about having my kids sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted. This was so much more than that. This was a room

Shopping for My Special Needs Child

November 26, 2012 in Autism, Holiday, SPD with 2 Comments

With the hours slowly ticking away until the kickoff to the Christmas season as heralded by the start of the annual rush of purchasing and spending known as Black Friday, I imagine that I am

A Stress-Free Thanksgiving (Woo-Hoo!)

November 25, 2012 in Holiday, Parenting, SPD with 3 Comments

Since Mr. Pants was born we have been in a constant state of change.  As his parents, we fluctuate. We bend.  We make plans and then change them. We leave parties early and I often

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