I feel like im slipping...

[Charlie Boy II]

yeah, that's the one, snoop.

[Mish]

I don’t feel like I can’t cope, but I have no family support network and no friends that can deal with his behaviours...

You are not on a talking basis with your family?

I think the support group is a good idea and it would probably help you if anything else then provide you with a venting place where others can identify with you and give you their emotional support. I think the idea of joining a support group can be a barrier because it's so outside of things that we normally do. But once you do join and attend a couple of times and it will become easier. I would also look for support forums online that could help, the anonymity of internet could be a first step.

[QueenofCorona]

I know someone mentioned respite care? Can your sons daycare providers give you any names or references? I know here some foster parents take kids for the weekend so parents can have a break and recuperate, some at no cost to the parent. You aren't a bad mom for needing a breather or break for a weekend here and there.

I know it isn't the same but even one night a month if my bf's ex parents in law take the girls over night it makes a huge difference. He's so much more patient and relaxed when the girls come back. His oldest is hyperactive with some other issues. Somedays I don't know how he does it either alone. Mad props for single parents. Hardest job in the world in my opinion.

[IndiReloaded]

nope.

Im feeling a bit better today, i think the fact that he broke my nose a few days ago and had the tantrum of all tantrums yesterday, made me feel like i was out of my depth. He does go to a special needs nursery and the staff there are great. My mum is my only real family that could help, but she wont, she wont even have him over night- even though he behaves like an angel when we visit, it really gets me down that she refuses to help.

Lol, charlie- im heading to aussie land- but not for another 7 months!

Hang in there. Ask your doc and local social worker what resources there are for you. I dont know where in UK you are but here is a good link re: schools that may get you started.

[url=http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=132]The National Autistic Society - Education and schools[/url]

I also know that some local churches have parent support groups (I have family in the midlands), that could be another option for you.

[Charlie Boy II]

She's already said she's in a support group. It's the only one in her area. She doesn't find it that helpful. Kindly stop suggesting she joins a support group.

[misombra]

oh shut the fuk up charlieboy people are just trying to be helpful.

[Charlie Boy II]

If they're trying to be helpful they might try reading what she's said.

[Mish]

Unlike CB's suggestion for qwerty to come to Australia to have a root with him, because that ofcourse beats everyone's suggestion in terms of helpfulness.

[qwertz]

You are not on a talking basis with your family?
.

Yes, i get on ok with my mum, she just wont/cant really help with my son. My only other family is a brother and sister- but, well- i wont go there! lol.

Hang in there. Ask your doc and local social worker what resources there are for you. I dont know where in UK you are but here is a good link re: schools that may get you started.

[url=http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=132]The National Autistic Society - Education and schools[/url]

I also know that some local churches have parent support groups (I have family in the midlands), that could be another option for you.

Thanks, i am already a member of NAS. He is also starting at a specialist school from september.

I dont really feel support groups do much for me, the one i do go to- well, its spent discussing/talking about dealing with and living with autism...I have that at home, what i need is to get away from it, not spend the free time i do have talking about the very thing that already dominates my life.

I know you're all being helpful and i do appreciate it alot, but CB had a point- i dont think some actually read what i wrote

[Gigabitch]

Qwerty, why did you stop going to grief counseling?

[qwertz]

At the point where counselling seemed to make everything worse, i was re living the accident over and over again and it was consuming me.

[Gigabitch]

Isn't that part of the process, though? My therapist always told me that I had to get through difficult stuff, not around it.

[qwertz]

I guess, but I went back a whole load of times and it got to the point where I almost had panic attacks everytime it neared my appointment time.

[Lipp]

I've heard of cases where sole mothers desperately crave to get out of the house and have discussions with other adults rather than dealing with a whole day of kid-level activities, once they get bogged down in taking care of difficult children. How's your social circle nowadays?

[Mish]

I know you're all being helpful and i do appreciate it alot, but CB had a point- i dont think some actually read what i wrote

I think people did read what you wrote though. If one support group isn't working it doesn't mean all support groups won't work. For example, LF is a support group. A group is only as good as the people that make it and they can support you in many different ways. If you don't want to talk about the past, that's fine it's not a requirement. The purpose of a support group is not to force you to do something you don't want to do, it's purpose is to give you support in a manner that you will find useful. Just like with anything else in life, friends, partners, you search and you discard what isn't working for you and stick with that which does.