Ach! I had today’s blog all written and ready to post … and I’ve ditched the lot. Sometimes that happens … I write a post and then something else happens and somehow my original writing doesn’t seem to fit so well.
So, we’re into November … it’s old news really but, hasn’t this year flown past! Even Son No1 keeps telling me that time is flying past … although Sons No2 & No3 tell me that some school days seems to last for ever. However it’s the weekend … a full two days with my four favourite people, I can’t think of anything better.
This evening we went to a firework display as a family. This was a big event for us. Social occasions are difficult for several members of our family and the thought of un-known numbers of people milling around can be quite overwhelming. There was lots of discussion and lots of ‘What if’ questions asked … the final decision was that we would park the car somewhere that the occupants could still see the fireworks without having to be part of the melee if that was what they chose.
It was a great night. The fireworks were awesome … way more exciting than my poor attempts at capturing them on camera. We spent time chatting with friends, making new friends and watching our boys running about playing with their friends … special memories are so easily made.
Already in GGHQ talk is turning to Christmas … I’m often reminded that it’s ‘just next month’ although it really feels as if the Christmas decorations were only packed away a couple of weeks ago.
I love the lead up to Christmas. I love building up the anticipation for the Junior GGs with variations on advent calendars (this year it’s a home-made one with something for everyone each day). I love the fun of the boys opening the Christmas Eve box which invariably contains new pyjamas for us all, hot chocolate, a DVD and maybe some sweets and I love then getting all cosy and watching a movie with the boys before they go to bed for the first time that evening.
Last year we set aside two boxes for Christmas Day … each day in December the boys chose a food treat that they would like for the holidays and we bought one for each box. A couple of days before Christmas we took one of the boxes to the foodbank … it was a really interesting experience for the Junior GGs as, whilst they donate to the foodbank through school, it was the first time they’d seen just how much is needed … all three boys came away from the foodbank feeling challenged and are keen to do the same again this year.
Anyway, today is Day 32 of the Love Dare for Parents and it’s all about ‘Love Prepares’.
In day to day life I do try to be prepared. If there isn’t a degree of preparation in our home then getting the three Junior GGs out to the right school at the right time probably wouldn’t happen. Living with autism means Mr GG and I have learned that the boys find comfort in knowing what’s happening. During termtime life is fairly straight forward … each day is relatively structured and the boys generally know what to expect. In school holidays we try to plan each week so that the boys can easily see what’s going to happen each day. We’ve also tried to throw a change in now and again as, however hard it is, we have to prepare our boys for life which, as we all know, is unpredictable and throws us a curve ball from time to time.
One area I enjoy planning is our menu. Each Sunday my foodie boy and I sit down together and plan breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the week ahead. As with our calendar, now and again we have to swap meals when circumstances dictate but we find having a menu means that the boys know what to expect (and when to moan all day because they’re not going to like their evening meal!).
However, the Love Dare is talking more about preparing our children for life. My shelves are full of books (back to reading again) about various issues that the boys may face in life … as a mother I want to be as prepared as I can although I’m horribly aware that no parent can be prepared for every eventuality.
The Dare for today is to make a list of topics that Mr GG & I need to discuss with our children from relationships to puberty, teenage years (eek!) to facing illness and death, from handling day to day choices to preparing for independent living. I certainly think my shelves are full of equipment to prepare so I guess now the thing is to find the extra hours in the days to read all the books I’ve lined up for myself!
Ah well, time to go … I hear a book (or 10) calling …
The ramblings of gingergnome 