In today’s episode, Sarah Billingham is joined by Lauren Fenton and Rina Teslica, the hosts of the podcast F**king Normal. In this episode, Lauren and Rina share their journey of navigating the challenges of parenting a child with special educational needs (SEN) while balancing self-compassion and guilt. They explore the importance of seeking outside support, managing the mental load, and the role of self-care. Tune in for an honest, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous conversation about the realities of raising children with SEN.

Here are the Highlights:

04:34 Parenting and caring for special needs children.

08:28 Struggling with delegation and need for support.

12:06 Seeking a rational voice and combatting loneliness in SEN parenting.

13:01 Grieving process and denial in the parenting journey.

17:24 Challenges of advocating for a disabled child's needs.

25:24 Logistics and admin take up time.

27:14 Raising a SEND child requires significant effort.

35:27 Parenting Lua led to a career shift and satisfaction.

37:52 Describing everyday parenting experiences and finding joy.

About Sarah Billingham:

Sarah Billingham is a specialist speech and language teacher with a focus on emotional regulation. Her service, Confident Kids, equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need through training, coaching and group programmes.

Becoming a parent changed Sarah’s perspective on parenting and early childhood development and deepened her interest in understanding the regulation needs of both children and their families.

Qualifying in 2004, she initially worked in mainstream primary education and went on to lead a specialist speech and language resource base. She worked as Assistant Headteacher at a specialist SLCN school for five years and went on to lead their independent multidisciplinary assessment service until December 2021.

Sarah was a committee member of NAPLIC (National Association of Professionals Supporting Language and Communication Development) for five years. She is a Regional Makaton Tutor.

Connect with Sarah:

Website - https://www.confidentkids.co/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co

FB community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Instagram @confidentkids.co

Free downloads:

Choosing a School for a Child with Additional Needs

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy

Easing Your Child’s Communication Frustration

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy

How do I know if my Child’s Emotional Outbursts are ‘Normal’?

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy_copy

About Laura Fenton and Rina Teslica

Lauren Fenton and Rina Teslica are the hosts and two of the founders of the F**king Normal Podcast.

Along with a larger group of parents of disabled children they wanted to reach out and create a community of support for parents and carers who share their experiences.

Lauren’s youngest daughter Bea was born in 2015...

In this week's episode, we’re covering a topic on many parents' minds as the summer approaches: how to avoid the summer holiday meltdown. We'll be sharing essential tips on planning a holiday that prioritises comfort, sleep, nutrition, and physical activity to support your child's well-being, especially for parents of children with special educational needs.

From pre-planning decompression tools and familiarising your child with the holiday experience to ensuring continuity in routines and providing choices for activities, we’ve got you covered. So, whether you’re gearing up for a beach trip or planning local adventures, stay tuned for useful advice that can help you and your child have a more enjoyable and less stressful summer holiday.

Here are the Highlights:

03:26 Laura's message resonates with many parents.

08:25 Quiet decompression time using simple activities.

10:48 Maintain bedtime routine and predictability for sleep.

15:48 Familiar items bring comfort and routine.

19:24 Providing nutritionally balanced meals and prioritising sustenance.

22:07 Holiday physical activity is crucial for children.

25:49 Maintain routines, find quiet spaces, and decompress.

27:44 Restore bedtime routine for back-to-school success.

About Sarah Billingham:

Sarah Billingham is a specialist speech and language teacher with a focus on emotional regulation. Her service, Confident Kids, equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need through training, coaching and group programmes.

Becoming a parent changed Sarah’s perspective on parenting and early childhood development and deepened her interest in understanding the regulation needs of both children and their families.

Qualifying in 2004, she initially worked in mainstream primary education and went on to lead a specialist speech and language resource base. She worked as Assistant Headteacher at a specialist SLCN school for five years and went on to lead their independent multidisciplinary assessment service until December 2021.

Sarah was a committee member of NAPLIC (National Association of Professionals Supporting Language and Communication Development) for five years. She is a Regional Makaton Tutor.

Connect with Sarah:

Website - https://www.confidentkids.co/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co

FB community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Instagram @confidentkids.co

Email sarah@confidentkids.co

Free downloads:

Choosing a School for a Child with Additional Needs

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy

Easing Your Child’s Communication Frustration

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy

How do I know if my Child’s Emotional Outbursts are ‘Normal’?

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy_copy

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

This is a heartfelt and empowering conversation between our host, Sarah Billingham, and special guest, Jo Long. Get ready to delve into the importance of setting boundaries, prioritising self-care, and navigating the unique challenges and joys of parenting children with special educational needs.

You'll hear Jo's personal journey, insights on embracing autism, and practical advice for finding support and balance. Tune in as they explore how to raise confident, happy kids while taking care of yourself along the way.

Here are the Highlights:

06:52 Our society is not set up for autistic people.

12:06 Changing your language to shift negative perceptions.

18:46 Prioritising self-care and personal needs over others.

20:24 Communication is crucial for healthy relationships.

24:10 Planning self-care is essential for its execution.

26:46 Felt isolated raising autistic child.

29:51 Some parents hesitate to seek 1-on-1 support.

33:57 Delegation in teamwork and family life.

37:08 Setting boundaries is important for family balance.

About Sarah Billingham:

Sarah Billingham is a specialist speech and language teacher with a focus on emotional regulation. Her service, Confident Kids, equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need through training, coaching and group programmes.

Becoming a parent changed Sarah’s perspective on parenting and early childhood development and deepened her interest in understanding the regulation needs of both children and their families.

Qualifying in 2004, she initially worked in mainstream primary education and went on to lead a specialist speech and language resource base. She worked as Assistant Headteacher at a specialist SLCN school for five years and went on to lead their independent multidisciplinary assessment service until December 2021.

Sarah was a committee member of NAPLIC (National Association of Professionals Supporting Language and Communication Development) for five years. She is a Regional Makaton Tutor.

Connect with Sarah:

Website - https://www.confidentkids.co/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co

FB community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Instagram @confidentkids.co

Email sarah@confidentkids.co

Free downloads:

Choosing a School for a Child with Additional Needs

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy

Easing Your Child’s Communication Frustration

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy

How do I know if my Child’s Emotional Outbursts are ‘Normal’?

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy_copy

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Jo Long:

Jo is a Coach for Mums of Autistic Children, her son Bookasaurus is bright, and autistic with ADHD. She understands those feelings of isolation, fear, and guilt, and provides mums with a safe space to share fully with...