struggling with special needs children

[Matchy69]

Does anyone else have children with special needs.I am struggling with mine.My youngest cant use a toilet when their at the age they should be.I am getting tired of changing them,does that make me a bad parent?The constant hyperepisodes are taking their strain especially that i am going through other personal stuff in my life

[Matchy69]

Hi Hanna I am a lot of trouble with phone reception here and have none inside at all and sometimes works outside.It is to hot to be sitting outside and only come outside to check my msgs and notified one from the high school fir a parent and child workshop for year 7 students next Tuesday night.

[Hanna3]

Hi Mark, it's blazing hot and windy here - everything is already so dry - I've been running errands all morning, finally home!  Car is at the mechanic all day tomorrow for repairs but it's goind to be very hot so my neighbour is driving me back home and I can at least be comfortable here before he will take me back to collect it when ready.

No news at all today -the usual food shopping and then errands - going to get a cuppa now and relax for a bit.  I have a crowd of rainbow lorikeets that I give some apple to each afternoon and I have a lovely birdbath in the shade and they are all busy bathing!

I stopped traffic two ways on the road yesterday evening - I was on my way for a walk on the beach and an echidna was trying to cross the road - so I put on my hazard lights and flashed headlights at any oncoming cars and we safely watched the little guy get to the other side!  I love it when I can help the little creatures here!

[Matchy69]

Hi I have been struggling to phone reception here at all now.I have just got a little bit now so I will quickly reply to you.

I have booked a spot at the high school next Tuesday night for their information programme.I will see how that goes.He has his primary school graduation next Friday which I helped with the organising with.

That's lovely you stopped the traffic for an echidna.I see them occasionally out here.We have plenty of snakes here at the moment and are a worry with kids and animals.

Been very hot here to.Some rain and storms forecast for later this week and into next week.

Take care,

[Hanna3]

Hi Mark, sorry I've had trouble getting through plus it's been flat out here with getting the car checked,repairs, family stuff etc etc!  

The information evening should be helpful!  I'm glad they are having that - maybe you can also talk to other parents.  

It's been so hot and humid here apart from errands I have just been trying to take it easier late today so not much news.  Hopefully I will have more to talk about another time - I'm going to have dinner and relax for a while as I have a very early start tomorrow.  I'm not used to the humidity here and it's affecting me pretty badly.

I hope you and your family have plans for a nice weekend after tomorrow?  What do you usually do on weekends Mark, do the kids have some favourite things to do?

Cheers for now!

[Matchy69]

Hi yes the information evening should be good interesting to see how many parents turn up.Hopefully my son enjoys going.It will be from 6-8pm and he is usually in bed by then.He gets very tired from the medication he is on.

My daughter had a good day at work and seems to be getting use to driving herself.It has taken a lot of pressure off me.

My son has his graduation next Friday and will be taking him in to town to get his haircut saturday.He likes going to the big park in town.Storms and rain are forecast so will see how the weather is.It has been really hot here the last few days and desperately need some rain here.

Looks like my phone and internet is back properly working again.It was so frustrating with having it down and not being able to do things I normally do like pay bills.

Hoping you can get some relief from the humidity.

Take care

[Hanna3]

Hi Mark

Sorry I have not been able to access the internet for most of the day, I don't know why.  Anyway we are up and running now!  Your son will be proud on his graduation day, that's exciting for him, is he looking forward to it?

I went to the dog park this afternoon to chat with friends there and get my "dog fix" for the day - there are some sweet natured doggies there!  Plus it was nice and cool today with light rain which we desperately need.  

I have been meaning for ages to volunteer once a week at the local RSL which has a free BBQ for homeless people here, and a free mobile laundry service.  They also serve take away meals for elderu folk alone, people cook them at home and then they are handed out as needed for people to store in the freezer until needed - a great idea!  I will go along next Wednesday and take a look at it.

Having lunch with an old friend tomorrow at a local cafe on the beach, so that will be nice.

Are you getting out and about on your motorbikes at all?  I managed to get my car through the second rego check now the headlight covers have been cleaned - they are sparkling - goodness knows how it cost over $150 but at least my car is Ok to drive now.  

Going to relax and watch some TV tonight!  And glad to hear your daughter is managing the drive to and from her work - that's a major achievement - it must boost her self confidence!  Good for her.

[Matchy69]

Hi Hanna3 it has been another really hot day here.Its really taking its toll on me.

My son is looking forward to the graduation.I have helped plan it and will help set up the hall Friday morning.Hopefully he will be ok on the night.Another big milestone in his life.

I went for a ride Wednesday and stopped at a coffee shop but it was very hot especially with all the protective gear I wear.

Feeling very tired tonight and got to get up early as I am going into town early tomorrow.

Take care.

[Hanna3]

Hi Mark

I understand about the heat getting to you - I dread this summer, it's looking to be a bad one, everything is so dry...

Had lunch with an old friend - it was OK although I don't like the food that is served at the outdoor cafes here - they cater to the tourists who want a quick easy meal so it's always greasy hamburgers - things like that - too much grease and fat for my liking.  Interesting how we used to be good friends but now we seem to have less in common - she has stayed here and I have been living inland - I guess our experiences the last few years have been so different.  I became much more independent I think, adapting to a new town and area of the country.  

The poor woman in the unit down from me was distressed this morning - there are a couple next to her who are addicted to drugs, last night they had a loud party - this morning they have thrown all the cans and bottles out on the common lawn - she was disturbed all night from the loud noise, and it's frightening for her alone.  They are also lighting fires outside the unit - we reported this recently and the police and fire brigade came because we back onto a nursing home as well!  Anyway they did this again last night.  Some people are really bad.  

I am tired as I had a long day yesterday and out again today - having a quiet night in tonight!  

I hope it cools down there for you!  Have a good evening Mark!

[Matchy69]

Hi Hanna i had a busy day going into town with my son and getting his hair cut and then doing a few things and this afternoon harvested my crop of potatoes and harvested 5kgs of them.Then my cat had disappeared and hadn't come in for dinner like she normally does.My daughter adventurally found her asleep in the front garden hidden behind a succulent.I was so worried about her and was relieved when she was found.My daughter was worried but my son was like we can get a new cat now.

Most of the neighbours here are pretty nice.I usually don't talk to them much as they usually busy going to work.I do keep an eye on my elderly neighbour and chat to him.He likes to sit on his back veranda where it is cool.I always check on him make sure he's ok.

The forecast is for rain coming Monday so hoping we get some here as it is so dry here now.

It is easy to lose connection with people you were close with as our lives we go into different directions and we lose that closeness we had.

My son is in bed at the moment chatting away to himself.He does this all the time.He is one who just constantly talks non stop even by himself.I find it really draining at times.My daughter is the opposite she hardly talks out all.She is in her room watching Netflix  on her laptop.

I hope you get some rest.

Take care.

[Hanna3]

Hi Mark,

It's been really hot here today and I don't like the heat at all!  Sundays are quiet here as pretty much everything is closed.  There are big outdoor markets on today - they happen once a month - but I don't need anything, don't have any money spare, and it's too hot to walk around the stalls in the hot sun!  I went to my favourite cafe and had a coffee and read my book - I'm reading The Philosopher's Dog by Raimond Gaita - he was the son of a migrant family in Victoria - he writes beautifully about the pets they had.

That's interesting how your kids are opposites - your son chattering and your daughter quiet!  It's nice of you to check on your elderly neighbour.  I had a long phone call last night from my elderly friend in the other town, he gets so lonely as a bachelor living alone, so we had a good long chat.

There's not much to report today - just a quiet Sunday - Sundays here everything is closed so it's always a quiet day.  I give the rainbow lorikeets some apple in the late afternoon, they love it.

Might watch a baseball movie tonight - I discovered I love watching baseball games!  Got a couple of DVDs from the library to watch!

Have a good evening Mark.