Three words...

Tonight my son said a sentence consisting of three words that initiated a partial conversation....and I cried...tears of utter pride. My son is 3 and due to start Primary School next September yet, I am still awaiting the chance to have a conversation with him.... where both of us are fully engaged in one another, where I am able to understand him without having to decipher fragmented words in a very difficult puzzle. Not only am I waiting to have a precious conversation with my beautiful boy, but 'normal' family meals are still elusive....you know the kind where potentially once a week you all sit down to the same meal, enjoy one another's company, enjoy the meal, you know the small things many families take for granted? For our meal times are a mishmash of kissing, smelling, occasional pleading, touching chicken nuggets/waffles/fish fingers in an attempt to over come sensory anxiety with our boy.....everything has to be beige or of a pale colour, anything that may have a hint of vibrancy is not going near this little guys mouth (which makes hiding various vegetables in mash potato a challenge!) and Christ do not put anything of an odd texture in front of him either (scrambled eggs was not appreciated!). So he lives on weetabix, bread, soya milk, chicken nuggets (or fish fingers) and waffles...his 'safe foods'. If you hadn't already guessed there is a question of possible ASD.

 As I write this I'm smiling, for although I have times where I can get completely overwhelmed by these intense behavioural issues...it is what makes my son, my son. He is loving, adventurous and brave. People fall in love with him and his personality. Although we may not communicate properly orally we do so in our own special way. 

 The aim of this post is to make us realise that everyone is different, everyone is unique and everyone develops at their own pace. We must appreciate the little things, the small achievements and cherish the now...never take things for granted, for the meaningless things to one person may mean the world to another, like hearing your son say "see Snow White". 

 

Pray for Syria...Pray for the World

Today I was subtly branded as 'immature' for daring to oppose our governments decision to initiate air strikes over Syria. My children were also brought into the equation and whether I discipline them when they are badly behaved. Firstly I do indeed discipline my children....in a diplomatic and fair way without the need of severely chastising them. I find the use of corporal punishment completely ineffective and portrays a message that violence is the answer to 'bad' behaviour. Thankfully my choice in counteracting questionable behaviour in regards to my children has led them to be incredibly well behaved, well mannered children who embrace equality, are caring, understanding and fair with their peers and new acquaintances. They make me incredibly proud.

 It had been uttered that those who are opposed to military involvement in the elimination of extremists are 'terrorist sympathisers' believe me this not the case. What these purely evil individuals have inflicted on so many innocent civilians is barbaric, frightening and has left so many nations angered and hurt by loss. But are air strikes the answer? Do two wrongs make a right? I have said it before eradicating one extremist group leaves a niche in the dark and evil market for another to take the reigns and inflict more terror. This extreme behaviour our government has voted in favour for in the form of bombing Syria makes us no better than the extremists themselves. We are lowering ourselves to their level. We will create the same fear, panic and mourning upon innocent civilians that was inflicted upon the nations targeted by Isis. More people will seek refuge with nowhere to go.

 I do not have an answer or solution on how to combat such a sickening group nor do I know how to create an effective and peaceful balance between the human races but surely multiple murders on innocent civilians who will be perceived as expendable in this great race to defeat Isis is not the answer? What are we teaching one another? That every major threat and global problem can be resolved by dropping a bomb and wiping them out? 

 So no I am not immature, I am human being with a voice, a view and an opinion which I am more than entitled to have. 

Innocent civilians of Syria live in enough fear...they are not to blame for the abhorrent, vile attacks on us. Pray for the innocent men, women and children of Syria.

Assad’s forces destroyed buildings in the north-western city of Idlib in air strikes earlier this week Getty Images