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School holiday activities

Published Date: 04 Aug 2022

Wow, how time has flown. The last time I did a blog, Bodhi was starting secondary school. Fast forward 10 months and he is in his final few weeks of Year 7.

Bodhi has found his first year at secondary school to be challenging. He has struggled with the speed of secondary school, all the homework and the general tiredness of concentrating daily.

He has pushed himself out of his comfort zone and joined the drama production ‘Our House’ which will be performed in October. He decided to join the production to help his confidence and meet new people.

The last 10 months have been very busy with my daughter on the autism pathway, both children being at school and generally managing home life and work. I cannot wait for the school holidays to begin.

With all the financial issues affecting families over the last few months and more to come, it has led me to think of the quote: ‘the best things in life are free’, and this certainly couldn’t be truer. I have been thinking of what we as a family can do over the school holidays that are free or don’t cost much to do.

We’re lucky enough to live near the coast, so visiting the beach is number one on our list. Sand, sea and hearing aids do not usually mix, but Bodhi is 11 and knows when to remove his hearing aid or not. Both children understand beach safety and are taught it in schools here. Both know not to go too far from our view, and hand signals are key to communication on a busy day. You’ll find us on the beach collecting beach glass, shells and plastic. We will take a picnic, build sandcastles, body board and play ball games.

Second on our list is woodland walks. No matter how old you are, the freedom of wearing your wellies, walking in the muddy puddles or streams, playing ‘Pooh sticks’, picking up rocks to look for bugs and general tree climbing are all free and fun. The children love being out in nature. We’re also lucky to have an orchard near us where we can walk in between apple trees.

On a rainy day, you’ll find us playing board/card games, rock painting, colouring in, baking, movie watching and, of course, Bodhi’s favourite, playing Minecraft.

Bring on the holidays.

Helen

Helen and Nick live in Cornwall and are parents to Bodhi (11) and Lani (9). Bodhi is moderately deaf in his left ear and wears a hearing aid. At the weekends you'll find them at the beach fossil and beach glass hunting!