Motheroffae

Verbal cues

I’ve come to realise that raising a fae child is a lot like living with a particularly sassy genie: she will do exactly what you say, and absolutely nothing that you meant. I’m not sure if this is a kid thing, a fae thing, or a kid fae thing, but teaching my daughter verbal cuesContinue reading “Verbal cues”

Is there a translation service?

Does anyone have a translation book, app, or—better yet—a small yellow fish you pop in your ear that will tell you what your fae child actually means? I understand she’s still getting to grips with language. I understand that, because of the way her brain works (ooh look, fireworks!) she sometimes says things she doesn’tContinue reading “Is there a translation service?”

Today’s state

Guest post from the Fae father (yes I edited it because I thought it made us sound far to depressed) Return of the Routine: A Household Held Together by Calendars, Charts, and Cuddles With the Fae’s triumphant return to school (cue Hallelujah chorus), we once again usher in that glorious illusion known as “normal routine”—whichContinue reading “Today’s state”

Task successfully failed

We’re not quite sure what happened last night. My husband and I have chalked it up to a glitch in the Matrix. If my fae child knows, she’s not telling. School has been back for nearly a week—not the longest time, but long enough for routines to start settling and for us to spot theContinue reading “Task successfully failed”

The rituals of socks

Socks in our house are a bit of an odd item of apparel. I’m the only one who can stand to wear them indoors—and I have to wear them. My husband, I think, believes they’re evil and does his best to destroy them with alarming alacrity. And our daughter… well, she has her own rituals.Continue reading “The rituals of socks”

Three calendars and a cake day

For most of the time, I forget that our normal is actually insane. That most people don’t need three calendars for one small child and a meal rota published on the dining room wall, colour-coded so she can choose from it. Most children have two options for dinner: take it or leave it. So lastContinue reading “Three calendars and a cake day”

The missing paper

At the gym my fae child attends for sports club, they keep a care plan on her (a bit like an abbreviated EHCP). It follows her into and out of every lesson. On Wednesdays, she has back-to-back classes in different areas, so to save time and stress, I collect her from one class and takeContinue reading “The missing paper”

Air, Spite, and Peanut Butter: My Child’s Summer Diet

As I’ve mentioned before (regularly throughout this blog), my daughter needs a routine to thrive. We are now in the doldrums of the summer holidays. We’ve done all the obvious things (beach, parks, museums—though to be honest, most of that was her grandparents while I cowered in a darkened room trying to catch up onContinue reading “Air, Spite, and Peanut Butter: My Child’s Summer Diet”

Social boundaries? …. Never heard of them

Social Boundaries? Never Heard of Her. AKA: My Daughter Thinks Every Family Is Her Family We’re in the gym club room. You know the type—soft play structure off to one side, clusters of parents slouched around coffee cups, the air tinged with a mix of sweat, fabric softener, and crushed oat bar. Most children, byContinue reading “Social boundaries? …. Never heard of them”

Parenting the rule enforcer

Our daughter has an interesting relationship with rules. They fall into two categories: if the rule is explained and it makes sense to her, she will not only obey it religiously, she will enforce it with others. And by others, I mean anyone within the general vicinity. It doesn’t matter who you are—teacher, parent, completeContinue reading “Parenting the rule enforcer”