Taking a break....


We all know that April is big in the autism community. For us in South Africa, April also means school holidays and long weekends, which makes for a very topsy turvy month! My birthday is in April, although it is a bit of a non event in my house! For my husband, April brings the extra challenge of running the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in Cape Town.


Funnily enough, my birthday, the marathon and the expiry of my RDI subscription all fall on the same day!


Anyway, for the month of April, I have decided to give myself a birthday present! 


I am going to take a break!


Obviously I am not giving myself a break from autism, so to speak! That would be rather silly considering that my child has autism and I certainly can't ignore him! :)

Why am I taking a break? 
 I am tired, so tired of trying my best, so tired of trying to be Super Mum. I am tired of wearing my sensible big girl undies. I am tired of trying hard to maintain a balance. I admit it, more time and energy is put into my child with special needs than into me or the rest of the family. So, for the month of April I am going to tilt that balance in the opposite direction......... 

I am also going to give myself permission to NOT FEEL GUILTY if I don't give my child 100%..... Oops, that sounds a bit far fetched, but I am sure that you catch my drift!


I am not going to think about assignments, interactions and engagement. I am not going to think about following through on the O.T, Physio and SLT homework. In fact, I am going to try really hard not to think about any type of intervention.


If my child wants to eat Spaghetti Bolognaise (loaded with lentils and carrots!) every night during April, well then, so be it! If my boy wants to hop into my bed to watch a bit of TV in the early hours of the morning (not before 6am though!) I think I may join him. 


I am giving myself permission to take a break and not feel guilty about it!


In fact, I am going to be a very chilled mum woman from the first day of April right up until the very last day of April!


I also think that Nick is going to love having a relaxed mum!  I may have a little battle on my hands when May comes around and we commence with the whole routine again! :)


Oh yeah, I am also going to Cape Town for a long weekend with the Hubs and Teenager. Can't let the man run a marathon and not be there to catch him at the finish line. I wish we could take Nick with us; however, there are going to be too many people, too many social functions and too many changes ~ I know that he will be much happier staying at home!


I am giving myself permission to take a break and not feel guilty about it!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY *ME*


~*~

24 comments:

  1. You deserve a break Di. You work tirelesssly x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday and enjoy your break- you deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Spectrummy Mummy...hope to see you in Durban at some stage!! x

      Delete
  3. He, he, he... I didn't know that you and my husband share the same horoscope sign. No wonder we get along so well... :o)

    Have a great ME time. You deserve it!!!

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Petra, is your husband also strong willed, direct and optimistic? :D
      Chat to you very soon x

      Delete
  4. I can't believe that you're feeling guilt about taking a break, I'm in awe of everything you do! We're all human here, we're not mammy robots programmed to carry out OT, SLT etc all day. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and a relaxing weekend away - perhaps with one wild night out ? Hope you'll be back here soon xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! I think it is that whole mother thing... you know what I mean, we always put our kids first!!
      Thank you for the Birthday wishes, I am only two years behind you! :) I am going to try for at least one semi wild night out!

      Delete
  5. happy happy happy birthday darling
    I just LOVE your idea
    tell me how your April experiment works out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, K.
      Now, that could be an interesting blog post!! :)
      Have a wonderful weekend. x

      Delete
  6. Enjoy your break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If Mom don't have mental, physical, spiritual refreshments along the way, she gets very cranky.

    I'm not a fan of April either. When you have lived autism 24/7 for 20 years, being "aware" for a day or even a month seems meaningless. Anyone who reads my blog will be very aware of autism, whether it is April or some other month of the year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi bookworm, I know all about getting cranky! Hee hee :)
      I love your blog AND you inspire me every day of the year!

      Delete
  7. Have a fabulous break Di - you so deserve it! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and you will be renewed come May! Have a lovely Birthday and holiday in Cape Town! See you soon xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nikki. I can't wait...
      Enjoy your hols. See you in the new term. xx

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Thank you Hazel. We must do a mums group reunion supper next term!! :)

      Delete
  9. Di - I like your approach. I've been feeling overwhelmed myself lately, and all I have wanted to do is post a big 'gone fishing' sign online and disappear for a few weeks. That's too extreme. I should be doing what you're doing - giving myself a break, not unplugging and heading for the hills. Enjoy your month of taking it easy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stacey
      I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed! I must admit a month is a long break, but I am going to do my best to make it a good one. I hope that you manage to give yourself a break soon, even if it is just for a weekend. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

      Delete
  10. Enjoy your break and time out Di you sure deserve some chill time! Enjoy the holidays, Cape Town and of course your Birthday!!! May it be a Blessed year ahead! God Bless and hope to see you soon Mark Samm Deqlan Logan :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello there Deqlan. I haven't seen you around for ages! But then again, you have been busy with a new baby! :D Thank you for your lovely wishes. I hope all is going well. x

      Delete
  11. I love your blog! This is such a touching post. It is difficult to take a break for yourself and not feel guilty. I am sure that you deserve one though. God bless you and your family. I hope that your April is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Mrs. Kim. Thank you for your lovely comment. I am away from my boy at the moment and I do a have a little twinge of guilt, however, he is being looked after by someone he knows well.... so all will be ok!! :) Enjoy your April.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Late in catching up with this and April is nearly over. Fabulous idea. Hope it as worked out for you. X x will catch up with subsequent posts now to find out x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello there LittleMamma! I can't believe that April is nearly over. I have had the best month! :-)
    Thank you for your comment. x

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. x