December is my favourite month of the year but also a tricky one for many of us. So many extra challenges and issues have to be taken into account but it’s good to see happy results at times. Jane talks about the occasion of putting their tree up in her post Our Christmas Tree, and shows that preparation and the previous year’s effort have been a great help. I recently came across this post written by a Special Needs Teacher who seems to have great understanding of the extra tension at this time of year; I’d recommend you read Dear teacher – See Christmas through the eyes of a child with autism. If you nod your head when reading, maybe go on to read her other posts and share this good practice widely!
Joy’s post ‘I’m Just A Sheep‘ has actually inspired my next one; she looks at Christmas play success and the run-up to the big day itself. In Exhausted, Jo at Ojo’s World touches on both Christmas play difficulties and issues which school trips bring. I also blogged about school trip issues last month, in School Trips… Should they be compulsory or not?
Suicide is a difficult subject but one which I think should be talked about, as rates are especially high at this time of year. Wendy blogging over at the Spectrum of Life has been having a particularly tough month and could do with some support. Jenny at Brick Castle speaks openly and honestly about her daughter’s story in 16 months after losing Elspeth, in the hope this could save someone else.
A fantastic positive post from Catie at Diary of An Imperfect Mum, Looking with open eyes, reflects back on how increased understanding changes much, including attitudes. Another reflective and positive post in Proud Moments – living with PDA and Autism came from Tracey at The Creative Pair , talking about her successful switch this year to home educate her girl. On a slightly different thoughtful vein, Bringing Us Together asks the question Does Them and Us ever really become We?.
Looking for Blue Sky talks about the recent smacking ban in Ireland and the need to help violent children, and also highlights how it feels to be a full-time carer and to finally get a night ‘off’ in What happens after dinner?. There’s a really helpful and much needed new blog in town called Head Over Wheels which is designed to be a place for young wheelchair users to share their experiences.
Last, but by no means least, I’d like to congratulate the wonderful Emma on her hugely successful campaign to have the issue of use of anti-epilepsy drugs in pregnancy raised in parliament and highlighted in the media. You can read more about it over in the Sunday Times no less!
That’s it for now folks; wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas and a great start to the New Year. Can’t wait to see what it brings for all of us. Please do link up your posts for next month’s round-up, or make a note to tweet me directly at @stephc007
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