Kids

'We're never bored. There is always something going on. The house can be full of joy and laughter and then world war III breaks out. We've given up thinking were on top of the house, that gets left behind. People who have nice clean houses don't have children.

Life is so hard for children now. Social media, phones, cyber bullying. Makes us glad in some way we were young without these same pressures and distractions. School is a massive part of their lives. Lock down was challenging and it feels like were still getting the fall out.

For us navigating the school system is challenging. One of our children needs additional provision and we often have to fight to get the assistance she needs. SENCos (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) can be overstretched and resources limited. This can cause friction as we want the best for our child but so does every parent. It can be very frustrating. CAMHS is stretched in our experience of limited effectiveness.

The whole process for parents is hard. Its hard knowing where to start, what to do and how to get what you want. Sometimes in meetings we can feel a little lost as to what to do.

Its been helpful talking to people who been through this, have got EHCP's (Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP's). How this worked for them and how its benefitted their child. That perseverance does pay off. For example in our case, our daughter has trouble sitting still at school. When engaged she can manage it, on an ipad for instance but this can be misleading. Its not that she can't sit still, just needs to be engaged but people need to understand this isn't a choice, she's not choosing to sit still to play the ipad. We believe she has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). People can call this labelling the child, we prefer diagnosing. It can feel like your educating school and family. Which can be draining trying to explain and justify.

Sharing the experience of someone who's been through it is very helpful.'

The Price family, Cornwall.