We are still (how long does the land shark stage last?!) trying to convince our puppy that body parts are not chew toys and that he is not to ‘mouth’ us. That’s such a cute term to have a carnivorous predator with a mouth full of needle sharp teeth latch onto your extremities and gnawContinue reading “Instruction unclear…”
Category Archives: Surreal life
Three Dogs in a Trenchcoat
Because we have questions over how to train our puppy to be a service dog, and frankly how to train it so it doesn’t eat its own poop and to come back when called we hired a trainer. She’s a lovely lady who is accredited to train therapy dogs, great. She is local and happyContinue reading “Three Dogs in a Trenchcoat”
Safeguarding is not optional 2
So it’s been a few days since I quite impressively lost the plot at the gym over the complete failure to safeguard the kids club. To the credit of the Activities Manager, he emailed me on the Sunday assuring me he would follow up. I shot an email back asking two main questions: how didContinue reading “Safeguarding is not optional 2”
There is no such thing
This is going to upset a lot of people who think this is gatekeeping, but it needs to be said. I don’t think there is such a thing as being “a little bit autistic”. Or a little bit ADHD. Or a little bit OCD. Or a little bit any other form of neurodivergence. You eitherContinue reading “There is no such thing”
It’s just a difference
My fae child has a diverse group of friends, and observing them in their natural habitat (my house) is rapidly becoming my favourite branch of amateur anthropology. I am fortunate that I like all her friends and their parents. This means that, during play dates, we parents can sit in the kitchen with a cuppa,Continue reading “It’s just a difference”
Correlation or causation?!
My husband and I were talking to — or more accurately, in front of — our daughter today when it occurred to me that I’m genuinely not sure whether all the small things we’ve ever been responsible for are naturally incapable of surviving on their own, or if we emit some strange aura that turnsContinue reading “Correlation or causation?!”
Conversations with my child
Conversations With My Fae Child (or: Why I Should Really Carry a Rosetta Stone) I know that having conversations with neurotypical children would tell you that half of this is perfectly normal, but since my daughter decided that speaking was something she might dabble in (a hobby she’s really only committed to for the pastContinue reading “Conversations with my child”
I think they are sharing a brain
When my fae daughter was a toddler, she had an affinity for rocks. And not in the whimsical, fairy-child, “I appreciate geology” sort of way. No. She had a deep and meaningful relationship with rocks—one that involved collecting them, cherishing them, and attempting to consume them like some kind of mineral-obsessed goat. I’ve mentioned thisContinue reading “I think they are sharing a brain”
Trending upwards
We survived half term. I’d love to say we thrived, but honesty compels me to admit we’re merely trending upwards from a week of meltdowns and screaming matches. If I’m told to “go in the bin” one more time, I might actually take the advice and move into the recycler like Oscar from Sesame Street.Continue reading “Trending upwards”
It’s not 9 am
This week is half term. I hate half terms. They’re not long enough to form a new routine and just long enough to destroy the old one. I do recognise that both kids and teachers need the break (I taught long enough to know the thousand-yard stare of week-seven exhaustion). My daughter—who adores school—is usuallyContinue reading “It’s not 9 am”