People often ask me where I get my strength from.
I always smile because, if I’m honest, some days I haven’t got a clue!
There are still days when I’m absolutely shattered.
There ard days when plans change before I’ve even had my morning coffee. Days when anxiety fills the house and yes… days when I wonder if I’m getting it all wrong.
My sons are now in their 30s, but if anyone thinks life suddenly gets easier when your children become adults and your also married to an autistic man… as much as I love them all well, I would love to know what planet they are living on!
You create your own little bubble that works best for you all at home.
The challenges change, but they don’t disappear.
Over the years I’ve learnt that none of us gets a handbook. We are all just making it up as we go along, hoping we’ve made the right decision and promising ourselves we’ll do better tomorrow if today hasn’t quite gone to plan.
I’ve had a cry behind a closed door or whilst driving. I’ve laughed at things only autism families would understand. I have survived on many years of very little sleep, relied on that first morning coffee or middle of the night one , and at the moment I’m trying my best to drink more water in this heat! 🥵
Then one of my sons makes me laugh, and says something completely unexpected, or they achieve something people once said they would never do… and I think, “Right then… let’s crack on.”
That’s real life.
So if today has been one of those days, don’t be too hard on yourself.
We’re not superheroes. We’re mams, dads, grandparents and carers doing the best we can.
And if all you have managed today is keeping everyone fed, safe and loved… I would say that’s a pretty good day’s work!
From one mam to another… you have got this. ❤️
This photo was taken a couple of years ago in Essex when we were checking out a venue for a charity event.
