Saturday 31 December 2011

I hate New Years Eve

I know I'm probably in a small minority when I say this, but I really don't like New Years Eve and never have done.

When you're younger, New Years Eve means the pressure of having to go out. I can remember frantically ringing round trying to find someone having a party that we could go to. When we were first going out, my ex used to go to Ireland for Christmas and New Year so I'd be stuck at home. My mum would probably be ironing and I'd sit there bored stiff through hours of dire tv.

Now New Years Eve means just me and the girls. I have no real family left and no close friends to go to. Took the girls out to eat and the cinema but now we are back home.

New Years also makes me look back and think what I've achieved over the last year and, to me, it's ever enough!

Anyway I hope that everyone else has a Happy New Year and may you get everything that you deserve in the New Year

Love Riki xxx

Thursday 29 December 2011

Lego

Ed Sheeran - Lego House

I really feel like this should be my theme song for the last few days. Rebecca got some Dr Who Lego for Christmas for her day and it came with 80 pages of instructions. It took two whole days to put together during which time various pieces were lost and found under the couch and there were several collapses including one of epic proportions when psycho cat took a flying leap and landing right on top of it.

I finally finished it last night with the help of a large brandy. Rebecca was very pleased this morning and managed to play with it for five whole minutes before breaking it! So probably not one of her most successful presents.

One present which has been much more successful is the Innotab. This is basically like an ipad for kids and is fantastic. Rebecca has struggled with other laptops designed for kids as most require you to read instructions on the screen. Being dyslexic, this obviously takes her longer and can be frustrating for her. The innotab though is different as all instructions are spoken and appear on screen as well. Also, it is completely touch screen. I would thoroughly recommend the Innotab for any children with dyslexia or any problems with auditory processing or co-ordination.

Bye for now,

Love Riki xxx

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Statutory Assessment

I haven't written about this before, but I thought some people might find it useful to read about my experiences. I recently requested a Statutory Assessment for Rebecca. Although her school has I insisted that they are doing all they can for her, even without a fogmal diagnosis of dyslexia, her progress has been slow and tortuous. Her teacher has said several times that she wished she could spend more time helping Rebecca.

I first wrote to the head of the Local Education Authority using a sample letter provided by www.IPSEA.co.uk. This is a fantastic site who offer impartial help and advice to parents with special needs children. I stressed in the letter that I was prepared to appeal if rejected a d to go to a SEN tribunal if necessary.

I was then asked to submit evidence about Rebecca to support my application. I would advise other parents to make this as detailed as possible. I covered all problems she'd had since birth and also quoted the codes of practice that Education Authorities are supposed to follow. I also included copies of all reports I had ever received about Rebecca as appendixes. Her school and the Educational psychologists also provided evidence.

Once my evidence had been submitted iwas I voted to meet with the SEN officer assigned as my caseworker. This was useful as I was able to stress what outcome I wanted. The caseworker then presented my case to the SEN panel and thankfully they agreed! So Rebecca will now receive a full Statutory Assessment and will receive either a statement of special needs or a note in lieu. Either way, Rebecca will get extra help at school. The assessment is still ongoing so I will let you know what happens.

Speak soon, love Riki xxx

Monday 26 December 2011

Gone in a flash

I spent months preparing for it and scraping money together, spent days wrapping presents and yet it sped by in the wink of an eye. Yep, Christmas is over for another year.

I love watching the kids open their presents and thankfully they were thrilled with everything this year; but once that's over then my spirits always sink a little. I think its the effort to be so bloody cheerful and jolly, including smiling at the ex when he makes his morning visit instead of sitting and working out what hes spent on the girls.

I suppose he should be grateful that he actually managed to see them on Christmas Day this year The stupid man broke his leg off roading on a motorbike in October and has seen the girls only twice since then. He hasn't had them overnight since August either.

So even Boxing Day is over now and it's back to hideous normality and working out whether my overdraft will cover the shopping bill this week or if not, which credit card can i squeeze it onto. My internet assessor contract finishes at the end of February and I seriously need to sort out a replacement job. This has been made even more urgent by my bank realising that I earn nowhere near as much as I used to and deciding to downgrade my bank account. I wouldn't care about this in itself but it also means my overdraft is reduced by 75% from March. I may need to sell a kidney!!!

Good job really that Christmas is over as the Christmas spirit has definitely left me now!

Baa Humbug! And speak to you soon

love Riki xx