Sometimes it's hard for people to understand your experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child. They hear snippets of your day and people respond with "that must be hard" or "I don't know how you do it" or "I'm not sure I could do it." Yet I'm not sure they truly understand the enormity of the challenges at times.

I wouldn't change it for the world, it's a very special role I've been given, yet sometimes it feels pretty lonely. The other day, I wrote this poem, which gives a window into my world, for those who look in from the outside. I wrote it mainly for me, because I enjoy poetry.

I realised it might help some people understand my experience and the experience of other parents of SEN children. As well as it letting other parents of neurodivergent children know that I can empathise with their experience and hopefully make them feel less alone. So after seeking permission from my son to share it online, I thought I would share it here on my blog.

A Window into my World

I don't want to go to school mum.
I'm bullied every day mum.
I'm anxious and NOT OK mum.
I'm trying my best.

I wish I could make it stop son.
I'm talking to the school son,
I go in every day son.
I'm trying my best.

My socks don't feel quite right mum.
These pants feel weird and tight mum.
I'm overwhelmed but bright mum.
I'm doing my best.

I've bought different socks and pants son.
I try to have a plan son.
I don't always get it right son.
I'm doing my best.

My dad's moving away mum,
I want to make him stay mum.
My heart breaks from this pain mum.
I don't know what to do.

I don't know what to say son.
I'm fighting every day son,
To bring his time your way son.
I don't know what to do.

The world's a scary place mum.
Nuclear war is in my face mum.
Are you sure that we're safe mum?
Are we going to be ok?

Try not to watch the news son,
It gives us all the blues son.
I do my best to keep you safe son.
I hope we'll be ok.

Can you come and play mum?
That takes my fears away mum.
I need play every day mum.
I hope that is OK?

I'd love to come and play son.
My favourite time each day son.
To see you smile and laugh son.
Of course that is ok.

It's hard to get to sleep mum,
I'm not great at counting sheep mum.
The dark gives me the creeps mum,
I think I need some help.

I'll help you get to sleep son,
Let's follow our routine son.
I'll hug you till you sleep son,
I'm happy I can help.

I hope you get some peace son.
My heart breaks whilst you sleep son.
So many challenges you face son.
I pray my love is enough.