Dear Friend‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!’ Depending on your personality type this phrase may motivate, exasperate or send you into orbit! I guess, as with all such ‘sayings’ there’s a grain of truth in it but honestly, it’s neither empathic nor sensitive considering the eighteen months we’ve just lived through. So, as we emerge from this extraordinary experience, how are you? Have you reverted to normal or have you changed? Are you desperately in need of a holiday? We hope the articles that follow will stimulate further reflection and action. Kind regards Nicola Watson Learning about resilience - tennis balls and tomatoesThe COVID-19 pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time for us all. However, during the early months of lockdown it became apparent to me that some of the families we support through our additional needs befriending service appeared to cope quite well, to adapt more quickly and some even flourished. Could it be their ‘resilience muscles’ were better developed than most? ‘Rock on Tommy’ - change managementOne of our Additional Needs Support Befrienders, Kate, is a blogger. Here she writes about the challenge she faced when she tried to wean her daughter off her bottle and on to a toddler cup. As ever, the little one’s struggle taught her mum an important lesson. “…Lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer"Are you looking forward to a holiday? Let’s face it, if your crew includes a child with additional needs, you are only likely to experience the brochure version of family holidays, with adults beaming at each other lovingly over a chilled drink and children splashing prettily in the pool, if you have a touch of heatstroke. But there are ways to make the experience a little less stressful. Parents who have ‘been there and got the sun tan’ give their best tips. This article is adapted with permission from the The Good Schools Guide. For families who need a holiday more than mostIf you have a child with additional needs, holidays may have meant only more stress. However, holiday providers are waking up to the fact that there is a market in catering for the families who need a holiday more than most. This is a helpful round up of holiday resorts for children with additional needs. Help for you fromAdditional Needs SupportOur privacy policy and statement can be viewed here. |