Sorry I have MIA lately.  This will probably be long!

First, the hubby was away all last week.  (Not something I like to say over the web while he is actively gone-never know who is reading etc)  He had to travel for work and although I cannot say what for, I had no way to contact him or speak with him for 8 days.  (no, not CIA or anything-LOL-but still classified type of work.)  So I was worried about him.

While he was gone, I was sick.  My daughter had been invited to a sleepover birthday party that was to last about 24 hours!  She is 9 years old and this worried me.  For one, if she wanted to come home during the night, I would have to wake my autistic son and take him with me to pick her up.  Next, this friend has some "issues".  Her family is military so she has moved quite a bit, her sister is bi-polar and is no longer able to live at home (a thing she has in common with my daughter-they both have sibs that have disabilities) and her parents are divorcing-poor kid.  Her parents do still stay at the same house and really pull together for the kids but it is still taking a toll on this little girl and the way it is showing itself is in her behaviour.  She has a tendancy to be very mean and act out.  And it did happen again at her birthday party.  She was so mean to one little girl that she called her mom and went home.  My daughter stayed for the whole time but when she got home the next day, she burst out in tears.  She said that her friend was very mean, wouldn't let anyone sleep, her dad couldn't get her to stop saying things and pushing other kids etc.  I felt horrible!!!!  Her friend is really a good kid, smart, funny and very sweet but at times, she is out of control.  I know her parents are working hard with her and she is really going through some rough stuff right now.  This whole thing added to my stress level!!!

My autistic son did wonderfully with the change of dad being gone.  But since he has been back, it is like he is really letting loose!  His behaviour has just been off the mark.  I think the stress of his dad being gone has finally caught up with him and he is having a tough time.  It doesn't help that the kids all have the state wide assessment testing this week and next either.  This always stresses my kids out.

As for me, I come from a large family but none of them is ever of any help.  They come to me for help but never offer any.  So here I was, sick, with the hubby gone and no support or help from anyone.  Worried about my husband and kids.  And as anyone with a special needs kids knows, you need a break!!!  24/7 is very tough!  God bless all you single moms!  Especially those with a special kid!  And my kids were up at night as well.  My son does this when his anxiety level is up and my daughter was just plain nervous with daddy gone-so no sleep either!

Now that the hubby is back, my family calls!!!!  They need me to give them rides here and there, want help with things etc.  Where were they last week????  Right now, I need to get myself back on track-have meetings with the school about my son, Dr's appts for him, need to do more photography(have a request for lighthouse shots) and would really like to have a day of rest and catch up on osme time with my husband.  And this is just the tip of the iceberg!  LOL

Sorry this is so long and I will be by to visit you all! 

Ann

I changed my computer pick up until tomorrow!:) I know what it's like to need some help. That's one of the reasons why my moving to TX is so important. I've been living away from family for 15 years now. It's time to get back to family, ya know?:o Being a single parent is SO hard, but ya know what, being a parent at all is hard when you care...when you're actually trying to do right by your kids and family! I hope you get some free time soon....I don't need it as much now that my son is older (8), but I remember what that felt like!!

Rachel, thank you so much! My son is actually 11 but with his asperger's syndrome (autism) he is not like your average 11 year old. Intellectually, he is about 20 but socially, he is about 5. Just things last week like taking him with me to drop off and pick up his sister at karate and going to her school open house, was tough. Then we found out that one of his teachers, who he has had for 3 years, is moving. He was in tears saying "she is a second mother to me". If that wasn't bad enough, one of his karate instructors is now leaving the karate place! Too much change for him at once. He really relies on the adults in his life and with his dad gone, to learn that two others will be leaving, was very hard! The good news is that the karate instructor actually lives down the street from us and while she will be working out of state, she will still be living here. She even asked my son if he would come visit when she is home and if he would check on her house when she is gone. Made him feel better but didn't stop him from crying just the same.
All the stressors seemed to come together last week at the same time!
I look forward to hearing from you again when you have arrived at your new destination!!!! You take care and arrive safely! I will praying and waiting!

HI! I'm glad that you have recovered. It is hard not having a break, I was lucky and had family near for the first year of my oldest daughter's life so I got a break, then we moved away and had to do it alone. I know that your situation is different because of the asperger's, but I can relate somewhat!

Enjoy having your husband back!

Hi Ann...hope you are feeling better. I did come over yesterday and read this post but must have got side tracked and didn't comment I'm really not with it lately..lol. I know how you feel about not getting any help. I have no family here at all and anyone who has looked after Jack in the past will make excuses not to again. It's hard. Tom and I never get any alone time and although I can live with it..it is hard on him because 2 of our kids are not his.His Mom and Dad are in their 80's so Jack would be too hard on them too...at least he is in school all day now.I also don't trust many people with Jack...when he can't talk that really worries me.I was hoping Ex would at least take Jack for a night but he didn't and I can see why. Jack has no respect for him at all...lol.The only person he doesn't mess with is Tom and none of us really know why.Maybe part because of his deep voice and facial hair thrown in with Correctional Officer . He isn't mean to him...Jack just listens to him for some strange reason. The only peace I get is when Tom is home All my kiddies know how to take advantage of Mommy...it isn't just Jack.Anyway....Take care and I will be back soon.

Leenie,
It's probably because Tom is very direct. Kids with autism need very clear directions that are simple and direct. Alot of explaining confuses them as well as using idioms,different expressions etc. They are very say what you mean/mean you what say. I find that men are very direct and tend to speak that way more than us women.

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