Our 5 Safe Post-Covid Travel Plans

#AD The moment we were told that Natalia has Down's syndrome has been well documented on this blog, but one of the very first muddled thoughts that I remember running through my head was that we would never go to the beach again. 

Natty and her sister are beach babes

The Beach is our Playground

We live in Cornwall, the beach is our doorstep playground, so this was a nonsense of course. I can't tell you what my confused reasoning was, but what surprises me is that so many other parents of children with SEND say exactly the same.

Not only have we come on a long personal journey since those early difficult days, but I am proud to say that Natty and her sister did indeed become little globetrotters. As soon as she had recovered from heart surgery, a trip abroad was a symbol for our new found freedom from worry.

With acceptance, love, a little forward planning and carefully chosen destinations, we have been able to create happy family memories and make international friends wherever we go.

Hairdressing Tips for Kids with Special Needs

Does your child with special needs do all they can to avoid having their hair cut or brushed? Here are our top tips for hairdressing without the tears.

Let your child choose hair brushes, braids and bobbles

Mia has always loved having her hair brushed, cut, twirled, plaited, twizzled and filled with as many hairslides and bobbles as she can muster. Her need for girliness has always outweighed my hairdressing skills by far. I still couldn't do a French Plait if my life depended on it!

Tears, Tantrums and Tiaras: Avoiding Hairdressing

Natty couldn't be more different. With her it's always been full on war to get a brush anywhere near her head. From washing to combing and cutting and every stage in between, we've been met with a full on tantrum or tears or running and hiding in a corner. 

How to Spoil a Special Swimmer

Natty is one very special swimmer indeed.  She's also very good at surprises...

How to encourage a special swimmer

Since her naso-gastric tube was removed, she'd had her jabs and the all clear from our GP, Natty has been a little mermaid.  From splashing in the bath, to languishing under a shower, to sitting in the Caribbean Sea with her toes in the sand to taking swimming lessons, she just loves being in the water.

Countdown to Christmas: Fabulously Festive Advent Ideas

Yes, it's December! 

It's the countdown to Christmas!

I don't know about your children, but Natty could quite happily sit and watch Singing Hands Christmas Cracker 2  for hours on end and listens to the CD in the car on a loop. Wonderful as this is, we try to bring some balance to December as well!

There's a lot of chat about the beginning of December being too early to put up decorations, about the Elf on the Shelf being creepy, about Xmas consumerism taking over the whole of the month. I think that each family is different and you must find what suits yours and simply don't allow it to become something that you don't feel comfortable with. 

Just do it your way.

Natty's fabulously festive advent ideas to get you ready for Christmas

School Camp for Children with Special Needs: Our Top Ten Tips

Last week one event made me more highly strung than a Wimbledon player's racket, and when it was all over, the headache, light sensitivity, strange metallic taste and exhaustion of a migraine befell me.

What on earth had made me so stressed? School report? Annual review? Meltdown in the supermarket?

No....   Natty's first school camp! 

Here are my top ten tips to avoid that headache when it's your child's turn.

Natty, who has Down's syndrome, returns happy from her Summer camp

10 Top Speech Therapy Tips for Children with Down Syndrome

The following list of SALT ideas for young children with Down syndrome might help you and your child develop their oral motor skills.

A few of the speech therapy tools for children with Down syndrome

Every child is a unique individual.  Each one develops at their own pace, responds well to their favourite toys and has their own strengths and areas that need support. This is no less true for children with Down's Syndrome, so trust your instincts.