Apparently I need a break ???

We all know that being a mum isn't always a piece of cake but I wouldn't change it for anything. Being a mum to a child with additional needs can be even more tiring I suppose but I don't really notice, to me I am a mum to my children, their needs are just them.

So my youngest son  has mild cerebral palsy, at 2 and  half, his speech is affected so we learnt Makaton and he now signs and communicates very well, his motor skills are very delayed and he is learning to walk with the aid of a K walker. He needs physiotherapy daily which is generally incorporated into his general play. Our house seems to have been taken over with various physiotherapy equipment and since his diagnosis, our lives have changed completely.

Aside from his disability, he is a cheeky, loving and extremely smiley child whom every who meets him comments on how happy and clever he is. His cognitive skills are above average and his understanding of everything around him is amazing. I love being his mum (and obviously to my other 2 children who are now at school age, but this post is about my youngest).

We attend a couple of playgroups, one which is weekly at our local hospital and one once a month at the local Sure Start centre.

We have numerous appointments with various health and social professionals, to include, consultant, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, inclusion support early years teaching, eye specialist, health visitor and I have more than likely missed one or two.

Anyway, that was a little background information to the reason I am typing this post, between the Sure Start and Inclusion services, I have been offered funding for him to attend a pre school/ day nursery for up to ten hours a week. Until recently, I hadn't even considered it and when first asked to consider it, I had decided there was no point, I was at home to look after him.

It seems though that people are telling me more and more that it will do him good which I know, I am just not sure if I am quite ready to let go of him. Also, I keep getting told that it will be nice for me to have time to myself, have a break from him and that it will do me good ... this is debate-able considering I don't like spending time alone.

So I am guessing people think I need a break. I am of course going to take the funding offered, however I feel about it, I know that it will do my son good and I know that he won't have any trouble settling in as he is so social-able and is very much a people person. He needs to be used to others doing his physio and to be used to me leaving him with people other than family for when he starts school so I guess this is a good place to start.

Going to look around a nursery which has been recommended to me on Monday so hoping that will go well.