Single mum in a very stress full situation

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aurea
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21 Oct 2007, 2:43 pm

Hi!
I seam to be doing alot of whinging here as of late sorry :oops:
I need some advice; I am in a situation where I am having pressure put on me and may even be forced to go back to work. That in itself isn't the major problem, I actually think in some ways it would be great to mix with more adults. My concerns are, what am I meant to do with my 8 year old possibly asd child after school hours and during school holidays? I have no suitable family or friends to watch him.
He over heard me talking about the situation, and I didnt realise must have been stressing over it, because for the remainder of his school week each day he would ask me who is going to pick me up? do you have to go to work now? I am going to miss you. I know he doesnt like change, but it has never been tested in a major way. I'm scared that if I do have to go to work and am not there for him it is going to have major effects on him. It was suggested by a govt dept that I could put him in a holiday program, Yeah with a bunch of strangers that dont understand him, he has enough issues at school.
It is social security that are forcing this issue, I have tried to explain to them what is going on and what my concerns are, they tell me that I may be able to get an exemption from this if I have aletter from his doc's. He hasn't offically been diagnosed with an asd yet, he has been diagnosed with capd and adhd. Apparently according to the functional assessment filled out by me before any talk of an asd showed that he was/is relatively independant. I tried telling her(social sercurity lady) that the questions in the form didnt leave much room to explain my son at all. eg of one of the questions ; is your child aware of being left in the care of others? I ticked yes, he is, he has only been left at school or with either family or friends and only ever for 2 hours at the most. The last time I left him with a family friend he spent the entire 2hrs sitting in the back bedroom to scared to move, because one of this friends older kids had taken him out there thinking he would like to watch the tv out there, noone thought to check on him. He was thirsty and needed to use the bathroom.
This is turning into a really long post as usual and I am so sorry. I am just so stressed about it all. It is also becoming more and more apparent that J has alot of sensory issues. I am seeing his doc's today but I am really embarressed talking to them about it, I guess because I have been made to feel from J's school like a paronoid mother for so long I now feel everyone will be thinking this. I am quiet happy to work during school hours with someone that will be flexible enough to allow me time to attend all J's medical appointments, but I am stressed as to what will happen to my child during holidays and if he is sick and I cant be there. :cry:



Basshead
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21 Oct 2007, 3:49 pm

Here's what I've found.
If you hang in there long enough, things will get better and/or easier.
It's crap advice, but I stand by it :D
'Til then, <big hug>



imok2
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21 Oct 2007, 5:12 pm

It's often a situation...what do you do when they are ill or out of school when you have to work?? With two kids, I saved all my time off for the kids. That meant going to work no matter how I felt (I'd hide illness as not to get sent home). That meant staying late or coming in early to make up for time, when possible. When that doesn't work, it's just a short check.

Some employers might not mind if you bring him along if he's not disruptive or contagious (ear infections and such).

I don't suppose that's much comfort, but you're not alone. And it is scary. I'm sorry it so tough... :(