Into the land of 'big school' education we go!

The Lodger has started primary school.

I'll repeat that.

The Lodger has started primary school.

If I wasn't the person helping him put on his school uniform, getting his lunch ready, bringing him to school and answering his approximately 10,000 questions on the topic I wouldn't believe it. How can five years go by so fast?

On the first day of school, we gathered in the PE hall to wait for the Teacher to call her class. He was subdued (this is rare!). The hall was busy, loud and filled with a lot of parental emotion!! The Lodger looked up at me and told me he was a little bit sad.

THIS WAS A REVELATION!!! In my mind, I jumped into the air with delight and high fived the crowd. We've been working with The Lodger for a very long time now to identify emotions.

In reality, I took him to the side of the room and we sat down and amongst all the chaos I got to the bottom of why he was a little bit sad. He needed to meet his helper and be reassured that she would, in fact, help him. Easily solved.

As The Lodgers Teacher came to collect her class, The Helper stepped forward, The Lodger asked a few questions, smiled at me and hand-in-hand they left, following the rest of the class out of the hall and into the classroom.

Another milestone reached.

We have just had day three of school and The Lodger is loving it all.

'What will I learn tomorrow?' is his latest pre falling asleep question. It's replaced his usual breakfast related question, so school really is a hit!

Comments

To lock or not to lock, that is not the question anymore.

It’s approximately 4421days since we got The Lodgers diagnosis of Prader Willi Syndrome. To save you doing the maths: twelve years and almost 2 months ago. We’ve learned a lot in those twelve years- strategies to help distract him from food, tools to help transition from task to task, methods to help him calm down, strategies to keep us all going day to day…. We’ve met many experts in the field of PWS- from doctors, nurses, psychologists, researchers and a range of therapists from speech and language to occupational and physios. We talk with many PWS families- both with children older and younger than our boy, The Lodger. I’ve often been asked if we lock our kitchen. Up until yesterday the answer was ‘not yet.’ Today I sat with him as I was helping him put on his socks. It’s still a tricky thing for him to do- even with all the helpful tips from occupational therapists over the years. Somedays he’ll do it easily, other days he needs h...

Turn around and go home.

Prader-Willi Syndrome. It raises its head when you least expect it. Although in hindsight it was totally going to appear because we did everything we weren't supposed to. The Lodger and Little Bro walk in the woods (not today!) I'll set the scene. It's a lovely autumnal Sunday. The sun is shining, it's not raining and it's not cold. A walk would be just the ticket before The Lodger has his Sunday movie. As you know, routine is important. Movies can't be missed. We decided on our route- the route we call the castle route. You guessed incorrectly, it doesn't feature a castle but if you go off path and really crane your neck you might just glimpse one. However when we got to the woods, I switched the route up. I don't know why. I just did. A moment of spontaneity. Anyway Hindsight. Lesson learned. The new route meant a bit of climbing, so a lot of helping The Lodger and for The Lodger he wasn't able to continue his telling of the story he paused ...

Water, milk….

This week we were driving along and Younger bro started listing food. “Apple, raisins , rice cakes” “Ugh” said The Lodger “Mummm make him stop. He’s making me think of food and it’s not time for food!” So, I had to ask my four year old son to not mention food to his big brother who has PWS, even if it’s food that’s ok for his special tummy. I explained we didn’t want to make The Lodger sad. That sometimes food chat can making The Lodger emotional. Then The Lodger adds in ‘unless I talk to him about food first, then we can talk about it’. ‘Is this because of the Prader Willi?’ said Younger Bro “Yes!” said The Lodger. Being a sibling to someone with PWS is complex. There is always something new to navigate but at four years old he understands more than most people. “Water, Milk..” said Younger bro. “Mummmmm they’re things I drink with food. Tell him the rules again!” said an exasperated Lodger. Younger bro is sharp. I could see his cheeky knowing glanc...

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