autism · general stuff

Summertime, time for a break

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

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This is a snapshot from yesterday – our first day of the school break.
One naked son in the paddling pool, one lovely daughter drawing and playing in the tent and one mummy enjoying a little knitting in the shade. Sounds idyllic and this moment was, but I know over the next 6 weeks these relaxing moments may be few and far between.

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I do find this time of year a difficult one. At the school gate all the mums were chatting excitedly about their plans for the summer break; visits to parks, picnics, holidays at the beach and so on. I stood there and said nothing because to be honest the thought of the long break makes me feel a little sick. Although I like the  calmer pace of mornings (no school rush) Toby has a hard time with the change in routine. His autism makes it really hard to do much of the normal family stuff and when we do go anywhere he needs to be so closely supervised to keep him from harm that poor old Amy gets no attention. He’s not good with crowds, new places or loud noises and is oblivious to obvious dangers like lakes, busy roads, going off with strangers etc. Often when we go somewhere he freaks out and we have to come straight back home which is really unfair on Amy and makes everyone feel miserable.

This year we decided not to go away on a family holiday and so we’re based at home for the 6 week break. Hopefully here things will be quiet and manageable although even at home Toby needs constant attention to keep him safe. Amy has a few clubs and activities to go to and she & I have planned a few overnight camping trips with friends and in the garden. I’m really lucky to have my Mum and Dad to visit – we’ll go and stay for a few days and they’ll entertain the children, take us to new places and generally help out.

Anyway, with all this in mind I’ve decided to have a summer blog break and concentrate fully on the children. I will be popping some little cotton rabbits and friends into my etsy shop from time to time and Amy will have fun helping me pack them up and take them to the post office.

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I hope you’ll pop back and see us in the autumn when I should have news of the baby hedgehogs and some chat about what we’ve been up to.

Wishing you a lovely August wherever you are and whatever you’re doing,

Julie x

82 thoughts on “Summertime, time for a break”

  2. I must say a week ago I felt the same…I was so NOT looking forward to 6 weeks of ..well you know what I mean. But the first week has passed already and I must say..it wasn’t THAT bad…Hope your summer will pass smoothly and relaxing!! Wishing you luck!!

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  4. May the sun shine and the paddling pool be always warm for naked children to play in. Have as much fun as you can, see you in the autumn (that sounds so long away!)

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  6. Your pictures are just lovely, and I understand why you might need a blog break (but will sorely miss your frequent posts and wonderful pictures). Hope you, Amy, and Toby have such a wonderful summer and that it is filled with many special times.

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  8. Good for you Julie, I hope you have a lovely summer. I think everyone needs a blogging break now and then, I have even thought about taking one myself, but I still have lots to talk about, I know one of these days though I will hit a brick wall and my break will come. I don’t know how you have managed to blog for so long with all that you have to do. Maybe your summer break will be a little more relaxing than you think, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
    Have fun!

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  9. Julie, make the most of the summer time with your two children and enjoy spending time together. You sounded like you had plenty of fun activities to do together and I;m sure you’ll have fun. I have really enjoyed your blog and seeing how the toys are developing. I am looking forward to your return in the Autumn – with perhaps the badger as a new edition? I liked the WIP!
    Best wishes from a fellow knitter
    Esther x

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  10. Hey Julie,
    I hope you and your family have a relaxing and wonderful time doing whatever you decide to do. Just being together is a privalege. You will be missed out here in blogger land 🙂
    Suzanne

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  12. Have a lovely break Julie,it sounds like your plans for the family will work out fine. I will be going away for a short break in the caravan we used to go camping as well. I will be taking my knitting for the evenings to.

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  15. Enjoy the holiday, maybe this summer will bring more relaxing moments than previous, and looking forward to you being back in September!
    Be well!

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  18. Have a beautiful break Julie. I have a disabled husband and i know what you mean when you say sometimes it is easier to stay home than to do the usual “vacation” thing. We have learned to make our home a place where we can be happy and relax and usually choose to stay here and “bloom where we are planted”. Sometimes we take day trips, or take short overnight trips to nearby spots, but when you have special needs, there’s no place like home! Take good care of YOU.

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  19. As a kid I looked forward to summer break and that do nothing time. Now as a Mom the only break I get during summer time is not having to drive to school and back but that’s quickly taken over by the more constant household chores. sigh. I do know that taking time for yourself is important…get your parents to come for an afternoon so you (and/or Amy) can escape for a little respite. I wish I was closer to help.

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  21. I hope your holiday is surprising in all the right ways, and less stressful than you expect. We’ll all look forward to seeing you again in Autumn.

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  22. I hope the summer break goes well and you all have fun at home. It’s lovely that your Mum and Dad can come and help to give you and Amy some quality time together. Hope the sun keeps on shinning, too. Zoe x

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  28. Hi Julie
    Try to have a good summer break, I know it must be so hard for you, but I’m sure that you still give toby and amy equal attention. I find it difficult with a 6 year old and an 18mth old!!!!! that age gap alone is a nightmare! lol
    its already started dreadful for us, i have the dreaded summer flu!! 😦 so we are stuck indoors for the moment.
    See you in the autumn xxxx

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  29. I’ll miss you! But I’ll be watching for your return. I do hope you have some relaxation time. And that being at home instead of travelling helps with the stability that Toby needs. Have a great summer break! (I know how hard it can be to have that, but I can still wish it for you!) samm

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  30. Wow, I just found your beautiful blog by chance, and I been admiring your creations…
    They are so cute, and so hard to resist!
    I will had you to my favorites, so I can stop often!
    Kisses
    Kisses
    Debbie
    xxx

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  32. I can understand how hard it can be to go places and to always have to be vigilant. It’s like that a lot with J. I hope you have as much of a relaxing break as you can. And I’ll be popping in to your etsy shop!

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  34. HAVE A GREAT GREAT HOLIDAY!
    I know what you mean when you say it’s easier to stay at home. ( With having a disabled son .)
    He’s generally good though, gets fustrated when he can’t do things other kids do.
    I LOVE:
    Your Cath Kidston Tent.
    Your Cath Kidston Knitting Bag
    Your spotty table cover!
    and your wobbly slide! I want to play on it! Hehehe.
    I hope they both enjoy your time with them, and I hope it’s not too stressful for you.
    Thinking of you, and CAN’T wait to see you back in autumn.
    And |I can’t wait to see what you make with that floral bias binding!!!!!! DO show us.
    Lots of love,
    L xxx

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  35. Even though I’ll miss you heaps I can understand your need for time away from the computer. Looking forward to seeing lots of bunnies in the Etsy shop, fingers crossed for a buy.
    Can I suggest a daily trip to the shop for Toby, just a quick one each day say for milk or bread. They do say after three times it becomes routine, I know that’s not always the case with autism but it’s worth a try. We took Bailey to the city once a week, very hard at first, many a time I wanted to go home within a minute of arriving. But slowly slowly it became routine, then he began to recognise places and feel safer.
    If you feel like an email chat about what we did and where we went I’m always here.
    Enjoy the sun!

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  37. Sometimes it’s just too hard to talk. Cherish the moments of peace, take heart on the days ‘things’ work out and know there are many, many hearts out there in blogland with you this summer.
    x

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  39. Dear Julie
    Oh how I remember those scary summer holidays too, stretching endlessly ahead, when my daughter didn’t get to do all the things she so badly wanted to do as we all had to stay home or cancel plans because of her brother. She’s making up for it now (and scaring the wits out of me by packing everything in – including a trip to India and Pakistan later this year!). I’m sure you’ll all have fun though – we always managed to find fun in the simple pleasures – a picnic in the park, or a day trip to look at steam trains.
    Enjoy your summer and your blog break. (Love the tent too!).

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  40. Everything will go well, if we are able to take things easy, try to enjoy your holiday. I knew that you won’t be blogging for a while, but I just have to give you an award, it is on my blog.

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  41. Enjoy your break Julie . . . I know the summer must be really hard but it looks like you have made a cool little camp in your back garden. Wishing you lots of happy hours knitting beside your beautiful children.

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  46. Good for you Julie. Staying close to home and all the safety and piece of mind it brings sounds like a great idea.
    Your yard is a child’s dream. I can see why Amy and Toby love it so much.
    Can I bring my son across the pond to your house!
    XXX have a great summer

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  47. I hope you have a lovely time with your stay-cation. Sorry for the heartache that accompanies this time period. Everyone gets a different story . . . and we like to look at someone else’s book once in a while and say “now why can’t I have a chapter like that!?” Wishing you joy, happiness and peace and contentment in the chapter where you are right now.

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  49. I’m sure you and your family will enjoy a lovely summer anyway. You know, sometimes to enjoy some free time and be well there’s no need of special exotic vacation places, but just being with your loved ones.
    On the “lighter” side, when I read this kind of things I know I was born in the wrong place… 6 weeks of school break! Well, if sometimes you think it’s a long time, please think about Italy, where I live, where school break is “only” 14 weeks long!! 😉
    Happy August to you and your wonderful kids
    hugs
    Gallinavecchia

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  50. Enjoy as much as you can, I am so much wishing you a wonderful summer and hope anything will be fine as you´ve intended it to be. Looking forward to hear you again in autumn,
    best wishes, Suzi

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  51. I hope the peaceful look of your garden is still there…as usual it could be so easily a picture of my garden, the paddling pool, Cath Kidston tent and knitting bag…I am sending you lots of good wishes for a relaxed and enjoyable summer, and hopefully those moments of stress will be little moments and the memories will all be good ones. Take care Julie and catch up with you when the days get a little shorter…

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  52. You’re a good brave mother, Julie, and you deserve a happy summer break. Perhaps you’ll manage some outings with your Amy, just you two.
    I’ll miss reading your blog!
    Have a happy time.

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  57. The pool and tent look like a delight. Backyard camping was always my favorite as a kid- I slept outside more than I slept in! I hope that your ‘staycation’ is relaxing and fun and still fun for Amy. If it is any consolation at all, in the US it’s a standard 12 week holiday! All my friends who are parents are at the end of their ropes! Have a wonderful August, enjoy every minute you can. We’ll miss you!

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  58. Sometimes travel is more hassle than it’s worth. I hope you have some quiet, peaceful time to relax this summer. hugs Please take good care of Julie for us – we’ll miss you.

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  59. Good for you, Julie. Sometimes, it’s good to let a few things go, for our own sanity, right? You know we’ll all be back when you are. Hugs to those sweet kids of yours, and to you too.

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  60. I’m going to miss you! If you don’t mind I might pop by from time to time and press my face to the screen and make sad faces until you finish your holidays….if that’s okay…Hope you have a good holiday. You deserve it! Jen

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  62. Everyday I go through my blogs-I-love and think of you. I am praying for your rest and relaxation – and for a soothing time for your son. We moms have such a constant job and this is even more true for you. Please know you are in my prayers!

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  64. Wishing you moments of peace in your long summer. Toby and Amy are so lucky to have the great gift of your time and love. I will miss your posts but will look forward to enjoying your news in the autumn.

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  65. How interesting that I came across your blog today. I am an OT and I was at a seminar on autism all day. I hope things with your son will go smooth during the break. I was inspired today by the speaker, she has such a beautiful outlook on children with autism. She gave us all a new and brighter perspective.
    I also wanted to comment on your adorable animals! I just started knitting last year, and I am on my 3rd scarf. You make the cutest things!

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  66. I hope you and yours are having fun in the sun this summer holiday …. glances to the right and sees it’s POURING down outside
    Scrub that …. I hope you and yours are having fun in your wetsuits this holiday!
    🙂
    ps. Just popped over from Michaela’s where she’s been showing off her new arrival. I’m thinking of driving up to hers and chopping her fingers off so she’ll be a l-i-t-t-l-e bit slower on the keyboard in future. Is that wrong?

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  68. hi, have only just found your lovely blog, but do wish you a happy summer hols and look forward to your return. fantastic rabbits – am just going now to look at your shop.
    xx

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  76. summer is a tough time and any relief I felt over school starting Monday was shattered this week. Starting school is going to be difficult this year. I hope your transition from summer to school is smoother then ours

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  78. HI Julie
    Do they offer a summers school type thing of your Toby where you are. We use to get it for Lucette my severe autistic daughter and I think it stoped myself and my younger daughter form going bonkers at time so as we had a daily break form her and we could do “normal” things like the movies etc together. Without a routine for a kid like Toby it is a good way to go quietly mad both for yourself and for him and the summer holidays seem long. If not why not look into some respite breaks to keep you and Katie sane because as much as you love them autisitc kids are very hard work..

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