Motivation - encouraging your child to go out!

Join Roar on her "great big expedition".

Use Roar the Little Dinosaur as a motivating role model to encourage your child to go out and play, visit familiar and new places and discover what's going on outside the home.

Find out more about the Roar books at www.roar-littledinosaur.com

Happy motivating!
Hazel Reeves
www.roar-littledinosaur.com

Holidays

The sun is shining, our plans are made, we're packing bags, it's that time of year when everyone asks you if you're taking a holiday. This year we can say yes, we are taking a regular summer holiday like other families. We've learnt some things to avoid and we are taking a huge risk and making a change from our usual unseasonal holiday in a remote spot! We're still heading for a quiet destination with minimum fuss but there will be other people there and lots of cars on the road and we're travelling further than 3 hours away from home. Will it be ok?

Good news! My daughter has packed a bag full of everything that may be needed on a car journey and for a holiday by the sea.  I didn't need to worry as she has now taken on the role of chief organiser and activity bag packer. When we got to our destination we were upgraded to a different self catering lodge. This took some time to adjust to and it was a close thing if the bags were going to be unpacked. I held my breath, took several steps backwards and let dad deal with this hitch in our carefully laid plans.

The next day when it was apparent that other families were staying at the same location, I heard a voice saying: "They shouldn't be here!"
We met another family with a little boy with autism. As he sat in the tea rooms listening to music through his headphones and laughing to himself out loud, my daughter looked up from her book. We got chatting to the other family. Neither of us felt so alone anymore! We met near the shower block and shared stories of our days out. He'd disappeared and runaway from their tent. They found him hiding in the farmhouse porch. Our daughter had found it hard to return to our lodge after a day out. The transition from car to holiday lodge was overwhelming her. "What do I do?" was the anguished cry. Thankfully she rummaged in her large bag and found one of the many activity books she had packed!

The sun shone, we swam in the sea. We had delicious food and much that was the same as at home but...we went on a summer holiday to a new destination, at a busy time of year and we not only survived but we may even go again!

Happy Holidays!
Best wishes
Hazel Reeves

Valentine's Day - What's love got to do with it?

Valentines day is approaching. A day for love to be declared, cards to be sent and heart shaped cookies made. It reminds me of when I first heard three little words from my daughter that made my heart sing...

Standing alone at the school side-gate, I await your exit from the boisterous school day. I acknowledge the other parents as they walk past me. Here you come, beautiful little girl of mine, carrying your oversized reading bag and wearing a determined expression which I warily recognise. Staring past me, you walk away. I long to hear your news, to have you walk beside me. I smile and see the other girls bubbling with words, tumbling along with mums, holding hands. You walk along the kerb or trail your hand along the hedge, walking your invisible line leading you to your transport. I drive, you fire questions. I answer, you scream. So much in your day has frustrated you, it all comes pouring out at me. We arrive home, you cannot leave the car. When you eventually emerge, you jump, repeatedly crying, screaming and flapping your hands. I stand beside you, walk away, kneel beside you. We are home. My beautiful, clever, talented daughter who has autism. This is your other world.

I remember vividly the steps we have taken to here. You falling over and shouting,"get away, don't touch me", the searing pain I felt inside. The Christmas morning, surprise laden table with pretty festive mats and sparkly table decorations. You reaching out your chubby toddler arm, sweeping them to the floor. "You shouldn't have done that!" became the familiar cry and inside my head screaming, "Why?" The gentle paediatrician offering me a tissue across the gap of questions, assessment, diagnostic reply. Tears tracing silently down my cheeks while you investigated the room, seemingly oblivious to my aching maternal cries.

"I love you," I say into your hair as I kiss you goodnight. You turn your face away. In the middle of the silent night you stand by my bed-side waiting for me to wake and know what is frightening you. I stir, see you and long again for three little words to come racing back to me.

Next morning in the school cloak-room as I say "goodbye", you turn to me. Placing your little hands around my ear you whisper the words I have longed to hear. "I love you." I love you too and I could sing. For all those moments when I cry inside and don't know what to do. I did get this one thing right. To keep on saying, showing, believing that you can learn what every heart needs to know. Can I shout it aloud, should I tell every stranger in the street. My six year old daughter told me three little words. Today we walked together and she gave those words back to me...

Keep singing "I love you's" over your child. Every soul needs to hear that they are loved and loved and loved...

Best wishes
Hazel Reeves
www.roar-littledinosaur.com

Celebrations

I'm in a celebratory mood. My first three Roar the Little Dinosaur books have been shortlisted for the prestigious Education Resources Awards. Find out more and read the latest Roar reviews at: http://www.roar-littledinosaur.com/

We need to get planning so that I can attend the awards evening and include my lovely family in the celebration. Going away with a child with autism requires military planning and a good sense of humour! Where will we eat, what will we eat, where will we sleep, what will it look like, what can I take with me, who will we meet...

You learn some useful strategies; have a faithful rucksack which is packed with favourite things, a notepad for a timetable for each day, sensory fiddle toys for the car journey and standby snacks if other food is refused. Do not forget the special toys who are loyal companions but also double up as interpreters or fellow secret agents when anxieties overwhelm! Several years ago I also included a pop-up tent on the autism kit list. Very useful to hide in for a short break. If you use a blanket for a makeshift tent both adult and child can fit inside together. I can recommend this technique from personal experience. Make sure you have packed your own favourite snacks. Tent dwelling can be a lengthy experience!

More good news: Three more Roar the Little Dinosaur books are available very soon. (February 25th)

Take a look at these fantastic front covers. Roar's joining in with Music, Days out and Sports!

Available to pre-order from:
http://www.roar-littledinosaur.com/buy.html


Best wishes
Hazel Reeves