My Top 5 Beauty Hacks for the Special Needs Mum on the Go

Our appearance has slipped way down in the list of priorities with makeup becoming a thing for rare nights out only.

Grey hairs are sneaking through at a rate faster than we can possibly make it to the hair salon, and those unruly eyebrows seem to have a mind of their own!

Here I’d like to share with you a few short cuts that you might find helpful, to save yourself time and feel slightly more confident about stepping out of the house!

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Gone are the days when I could spare half an hour of my own time to shampoo, condition, blow-dry, and style my hair.

These days it is more a case of sticking a beanie hat on top of my greasy, lank mop and hoping I don’t bump into someone I know.  Then I discovered Batiste dry shampoo.

This product actually prolongs the time between washes, and leaves your hair with a fresh aroma and some refreshed vitality and bounce.

When your hair is ‘on the turn’ and about to cry out for a wash, simply spray Batiste into the roots and massage in with fingertips.

This 30 second procedure will buy you another day or two before you need to wash your hair.  Best of all, unlike your standard dry shampoo, this product comes in a range of colours.

As a brunette, I use the ‘dark and deep brown’ variety, and unlike other dry shampoos, this does not leave your scalp looking like you’ve doused yourself in talc.

The only slight downside is the brown powder that remains under your fingernails and round the rim of the bath or shower after you’ve washed it off.

W7 Cover Up

I am finding that those evil little grey hairs seem to be showing up more and more these days; perhaps it is the stress and anxiety, or simply a sign of my age!

I am finding that I have to get my hair dyed more and more frequently, but the reality is that I simply do not have two hours to sit in a salon every two months!

This product is no miracle cure for grey hairs but it does provide you with some temporary respite from those pesky little intruders.

You simply apply it like a blusher to your roots, and it takes just a few seconds and no skill whatsoever.

The product is available in a range of colours and I have found that it lasts overnight without staining the pillow or your scalp.  I found it online at Amazon.

Wunderbrow

My favourite phrase at the moment is: “To be honest I’m just winging it, life, eyebrows, everything”.  It just about sums me up!

I’ve got about fifteen thousand things that take priority over plucking, or pencilling-on my eyebrows every morning.

On the rare days that I do attempt this task, I seem to abominably fail in the art of symmetry or precision.

However, with a bit of practice and half an hour set aside one evening, this product can save you considerable time!

Wunderbrow is a revolutionary ‘permafix’ gel that contains hair fibres specially treated with pigments that fasten onto skin and hair.  It will stay put for a few days, or until you decide to remove it.

It claims to only take 2 minutes to apply although it took me slightly longer the first few times, but once you’ve nailed the technique it’s relatively easy.

Carmex Lip Balm

Gone are the days when I meandered down the beauty aisles of Boots looking for my perfect shade of lip gloss.  These days I prefer just to have moist and healthy lips.

I simply cannot leave the house without my Carmex and it is by far my preferred brand of lip balm.

Available in a range of aromas, and in tubes, sticks and pots, you are spoiled for choice.

Boots No. 7 Primer

I have to say that the one cosmetic that I could not live without is foundation.  It works wonders at disguising the dark circles and blemishes on my face.

However, foundation often does not last the day.  I have found a brilliant product that fixes this problem!

Boots No. 7 Primer works as a base layer below your foundation and goes a long way towards keeping your foundation in place throughout the day.

It is easy to apply, and only requires a small amount so the tube lasts a long time.

It adds just a matter of seconds to your morning routine but can buy you a few extra hours of flawless radiance.

15 Easy Ways to Beat Stress and Boost Happiness

This post is being written after I spent all of last week in the hospital with our son, who was having some difficulty dealing with a GI bug of some sort.

He is back home and doing much better now.

The morning after we returned home from the hospital our daughter got sick with what was most likely the same stomach virus our son had.

We all know having sick kids equates to not getting enough sleep, and let me tell you that sleeping on a hospital chair/couch is not at all restful either.

My body is great at telling me when I’m worn down and stressed out, so doing research for this blog post on Stress Awareness Month is going to come in handy as I seek some ways to get extra relaxation and rest.

For me personally, more stress brings on more anxiety.  When I’m away from home in the hospital or not feeling the best myself, it is a challenge to get to the gym to exercise.

Sometimes I just plain do not have the energy, so it is important to find little ways to take better care of myself, and to decrease the anxiety that stress can create.

If my stress and anxiety are not well managed, some real health issues can surface, and if mama is sick, running a normal home life is very difficult.

So do yourself and your health a favor and take a look at some of these great ideas to eliminate stress this month and every month!

Try out adult coloring books

Listen to music that makes you happy

Find a positive phrase, scripture, quote to repeat to yourself

Keep a gratitude journal of things you are thankful for

Dance

Try yoga, jogging, or Pilates from free online videos

Take a break, even just for a day, from social media like Facebook and Instagram

Get outside for a bit…nature and fresh air can do a lot for the soul

Soak in a hot bath

Go for a walk – a 10-minute walk can relieve anxiety

Laugh…it reduces stress hormones!

Spend five minutes breathing slowly and deeply to reduce stress hormones

Get a massage or spa treatment

Listen to a funny podcast

Get a good night’s sleep

 

3 Strategies To Get you Walking

Walking is also an easy activity for children to join in and explore the world around them.

Despite these perks, let’s face it–walking can get really old, really fast.

So how can you stay motivated to keep this incredibly easy and beneficial activity in your everyday life?

Use these three strategies to not only get you walking, but keep you walking.

1) Podcasts

Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded or streamed from your computer or smartphone. iTunes alone boasts that it has hundreds of thousands of free podcasts.

With such an extensive inventory available to you, finding a topic you’re interested in (or already love) should only take a quick Google search.

Looking for information about the latest cerebral palsy or other special needs equipment? Look no further.

Are you a gardening enthusiast? Take your pick.

How about a lover of episodic horror stories? Got you covered.

2) Library Audiobooks

Library cards are free, and they provide access to far more than just the printed and bound books that line the shelves.

Many libraries also allow cardholders to check out digital materials like audiobooks (through sites like this one).

The audiobook files are usually downloaded through a connected app, where they can be played at your leisure.

When your checkout time expires, books are automatically returned for you.

Check out a story to listen to with your child, and see if this helps encourage them to keep walking as well.

Visit your local library’s website or speak with a librarian to find out what sort of digital offerings they provide.

3) Stream Your Favorite Shows

This one works better on a treadmill when you don’t have to worry about watching where you’re going, but it’s a simple and inexpensive way to get your mind off of your feet.

If you’re like most content consumers these days, you probably already have at least one streaming service you frequent.

If not, subscriptions to Netflix, Huluand Amazon Prime only cost around $8-12 per month.

Not sure if this is for you? Each service offers a short trial period for free.

Another delightful thing about walking is that it’s easy to do with others–friends, spouses, children.

So strap on that Upsee! It’s time to walk.

10 Songs that Should be in the Soundtrack to Your Life

Fast-paced music usually means something exciting is going on, while slow, somber music may signify something serious.

But who says we cannot have that in real life?

So bust out your headphones or turn up the speakers and play these 10 songs, all of which should be on the soundtrack to your life.

Walking on Sunshine

There’s a huge reason why this Katrina and the Wave’s hit is a must-have (if slightly overused) happy anthem.

From the energetic opening to the optimistic lyrics, one cannot help but walk with a smile while this number playing in their ears.

Staying Alive

Feeling like strutting your stuff down the street? Well, then get the right mood going by playing the Bee Gees’ classic “Staying Alive” before you head out.

Holding on to a Hero

If you need to get pumped up before a big event or just want to blow off some steam, nothing signifies a competitive spirit quite like Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding on for a Hero.”

The opening beats really get you going and doesn’t let up through the whole song.

Daydream Believer

For those in a dreamy daze, “Daydream Believer” from the Monkees is the perfect choice.

After all, what other song gives you the feeling of floating through clouds?

I Won’t Back Down

If you want to show someone you mean business, go with Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”

Beautiful

Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” is the prime example of a pick me up ballad that everyone needs in their soundtrack, especially since it celebrates what makes us all unique.

I Will Survive

There is a reason why Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is a classic karaoke staple; its universal language of not wanting to let someone bring you down applies to everyone.

Everybody Hurts

Sometimes we need a good cry, which is why having “Everybody Hurts” by REM in your soundtrack is key.

Just try listening to it without shedding a tear.

Keep Holding On

When you want to show someone special that you will always be there, then keep Avril Lavigne’s “Keep Holding On” on hand.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Of course, if you need something with a bit more kick to show them you care, use this classic tune from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

Naturally, there are a lot of songs out there that can be included to the soundtrack of your life.

Which other ones can you think of?

Skinny Peanut Butter Brownies

INGREDIENTS:

170g low fat or fat free natural Greek yogurt

60ml skimmed or almond milk

2 egg whites

1tsp baking powder

40g unsweetened cocoa powder

40g old fashioned rolled oats

180g peanut butter (mix the jar before you measure this out)

Sweetener – pick ONE of the following options:

200g granulated sugar

½ cup honey

85g brown sugar & 1/4  cup honey

85g granulated sugar & 80g dates

Preheat oven to 180c

Grease and line an 8” brownie tin

METHOD:

Place all ingredients except the peanut butter into a blender or food processor

Blend until mixture is smooth and oats are ground well.

Pour batter into brownie tin

Microwave peanut butter for approx. 30 seconds

Drop spoonfuls of melted peanut butter onto the batter & use a knife to swirl gently to create a marbled effect

Bake for 20-25 mins or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the tin

Wait until completely cool before removing from tin, ideally refrigerate for an hour before removing from tin.

If you want an extra special treat these can be eaten hot straight from the oven!

These will stay fresh at room temperature for 2 days and up to 5 days in the fridge. These freeze well for 2-3 months

7 Signs of Caregiver Burnout as a Special Needs Parent

A mom is a mom and caring for their child is in the job description.

I agree, of course, but caring for a child with severe autism is so much more. It’s an up all night, never sit down, zero to life journey.

I have 2 children. Cooper, my first born, is loving, caring, funny and was diagnosed with autism at age 3.

He is now 6 and his autism falls on the severe end meaning he is nonverbal with severe sensory issues and no self-care. This includes being potty trained.

There are days where I feel less like a mother and more like a personal care attendant.

I have entered uncharted territory with my special needs son.

I just put him on the bus. And by that I mean I physically handed his flailing, screaming body to the bus aide.

I am covered in sweat. I can feel the fresh bruises on my thighs. The pinch marks are visible on my upper arms. My face is beat red. My lip is fat from a swift head butt.

I smiled to his bus driver as he said, ‘tough morning?’ It took everything I could do to smile and nod and mutter, ‘you could say that.’

He gave me that look. Any parent that has been in the midst of an autism meltdown knows the look. It feels like pity. Typically it comes from a good place, but it still hurts.

I was embarrassed enough already. I felt disheveled and unsettled.

I was the mother to this little boy and I should be able to handle all that he can throw at me.

I mean….he is only six. But he is also nearing 65 pounds. He is strong. He is healthy. He is in way better shape than I am.

The second I turned to walk towards the house I burst into tears. I was able to choke them back long enough to turnaround and wave to my son.

Just like I do every single morning.

He needs to see my smile. He needs to know that mommy isn’t rattled. He needs to know that mommy is fine.

Except, just like the day before, I wasn’t fine. I was hurt and exhausted and confused.

As I waved I couldn’t help but think, ‘Why me?’ My hands were still shaking.

I knew I should hurry up and leave for work. I was already late. But I was rattled and crying and I looked terrible. I needed to quickly reapply my makeup but first I had to stop crying.

I refill my coffee cup for the 4th time that morning and take a quick peek in the mirror.

I didn’t even recognize myself. Bloodshot eyes with huge bags underneath.

My skin was pale. I see bruises on my upper arms. My roots are grown out not to mention greasy. I can’t shower when I am alone with my son.

He needs constant supervision.

I let myself go down the rabbit hole of feelings that accompany raising a child with severe autism.

The self-pity. The ‘why me’s’. The ‘this isn’t fairs.’ The ‘I can’t do this for the rest of my life.’

Let’s be clear here…I love my son more than I can put into words. He is my life. He is my purpose. He is my joy.

But, his care is sometimes more stressful than I know how to handle. We are entering a new world. He is getting older. He is getting bigger. And I am still the same size.

Caring for an upset and inconsolable infant is one thing. Caring for an upset 60 pound 6 year old amidst of an autism meltdown is different.

I am not scared of Coop yet. But I can see a glimpse into the future. Little boys turn into teens that turn into men.

I have heard of caregiver burnout and if you search the term you will see a theme. The term refers typically to caregivers that care for adults.

Caring for my son with severe special needs is a 24 hour a day job.

I also work full time. And yes, you could say he is in school for 8 hours a day. Well, much of my day is spent making phone calls, replying to emails and doing the business side of autism.

On top of that I am sick all the time. I catch every bug that goes around. I never feel rested. I never have a break. Even if I go out with friends or take a break I feel out of place. Or guilty.

Do you ever feel that way?

Here is a list of signs of Caregiver Burnout for Parents. If you are experiencing any of these you need to try and take a break. Find respite care. Call a friend or a family member to help.

Caregiver burnout is dangerous for you and your family.

1. Your emotions are like a roller coaster. Daily you experience a wide variety of emotions. You feel furious one minute, sad and helpless the next.

2. You are always sick and rundown. You can’t figure out why you catch every bug that is going around.

3. You consistently cancel or don’t make plans with anyone. If you do go you feel out of place or can’t turn off the worries about your child. No one can care for them as good as you can.

4. You know you should have hobbies, but you just don’t have the time. Frankly at this point you don’t even know what you like anymore. You struggle to self-identify.

5. Even though you are married you’re the go-to caregiver. Always. Your spouse helps of course but the sole responsibility falls on you. You have no babysitters. You have no respite.

6. Your self-care has gone downhill drastically. You joke about not having time to go to the doctor or dentist. How could you fit it in…what would you do with your child during the appointment.

7. You struggle to sleep, relax, or rest. Your mind is constantly on the child you care for.

New Year – New Me!

In fact I wouldn’t quite say abandoned, more like abused my physical and emotional well being.

I have eaten badly, drank too much and haven’t taken any responsibility for what I have been putting in my body, all the time making excuses and trying to prove that somehow I deserve a treat.

A treat is something you reward yourself or others with spontaneously, not something you include in your everyday life, as that becomes the norm.

Whenever we would have a bad day of Zachariah being unsettled or poorly, or an extra bad night where I’m lucky to get any sleep I would easily turn to food, food being the treat that I supposedly deserve for being a tired and grumpy Mummy.

And everyone around me would encourage this idea ensuring me that I’m allowed to treat myself again because I did an all nighter.

The thing is, this so called treat obsession has in fact damaged my body and my emotional state, as I have gotten bigger and ridiculously unfit and to be honest it’s made me feel rather disgusting, so how is this treat doing me and my family any good?

You know the big hospital appointments, the ones where you need to really get yourself in the zone and build up to?

Whenever we would have one of these, I would plan my treat in advance and have it ready for when we leave the hospital.

So I basically told myself that it was going to be a hard appointment and I would need a treat to make it all better again.

What I’m potentially saying here is, treats fix everything that I feel is hard to digest and out of my control.

As I type this out, I am beginning to realise just how unhealthy it really is!

As I’ve realised what I’m doing I have been trying to figure out how to change this frame of mind into something more beneficial for my well being.

For a start I’ve had to accept that I do not deserve these so called treats every time I’m feeling tired, upset, confused or lacking control, (the list goes on).

But learn to manage them in a more healthy way. The way I do this is pray, process all my worries through prayer and find peace that what will be will be, and that all will be good.

Whatever comes our way we may not be able to control but we can get through it together.

If it’s out of my depth then why waste time worrying over it in the first place, I keep telling myself.

This is hope and faith. These two things are what I have been lacking in my journey, without these two things I have been turning to food and alcohol to make me feel better.

It’s time for change!

Now I will be making some big adjustments to my daily routine, the first has being the start of a new diet, a diet that is primarily organic foods and drinks, everything natural and nutritious, it’s time to start giving my body the goodness it deserves.

The second has been signing up to a fitness group to get myself back into healthier state. I have set goals to keep me focused, one being to run two 10k runs for charity.

One of the charities being for Epilepsy, as my biggest frustration in my life as Zachariah’s Mummy is the nasty epilepsy, so I want to be active in trying to help find a cure!

It’s time to stop feeling sorry for myself and start making a difference.

As I am absolutely sure that when I start getting healthier I will start looking at life differently.

Yes, there will be hard days, but I will handle them with more positive and be proactive in trying to turn the day around.

I hope to be able to lift my son more easily and be fit enough to cope with his dramatic growth, as my biggest fear is not being able to cuddle my own son, and the way I’m going this could soon become reality.

I’m doing this to be a better me, a more able Mummy and Wife and to feel good about myself again.

I’ll conclude by saying, how can I expect other people not to feel sorry for me when they hear about how challenging life can be as a special needs Mummy when I’m actually here feeling sorry for myself and feeding my treat addiction?

What can you do today to make a difference in your life?

Top 10 Apps for Keeping in Touch

Whether you need to contact a physical therapist about some special needs equipment or ask a close friend for help, these 10 apps will keep you in touch with the people who matter most.

1. Facebook

Facebook is a one-stop shop for managing your friendship and support network.

Not only does it allow you to message Facebook friends instantly, it can also keep you up to date with the latest news and developments on caring for children with special needs.

2. Instagram

Instagram is primarily a social media app with an emphasis on sharing photos.

You can also send instant messages and keep your friends and family updated on the kind of day you and your child are having.

3. Twitter

It’s relatively easy to set up a Twitter list in order to keep all of your close friends and caregivers in one place.

Direct messages can be sent when privacy is needed.

4. Snapchat

Snapchat is a photo and messaging app that is perfect for keeping friends and caregivers up to date on a child’s progress with physical therapy.

5. WhatsApp Messenger

Whatsapp Messenger is a free text messaging service that makes group conversations and the sending of multimedia files quick and simple

6. Viber

Viber is a an instant messaging service that can be very useful if several health professionals are collaborating on the care of a child.

7. Skype

Skype is a video app that also features extensive instant messaging capabilities.

This is a great option if you ever want to send a live video feed of your child’s progress to friends and health professionals.

8. KIK

KIK is a free instant messaging app that relies on Wi-Fi. Easy to set up, this is a great option for staying in touch if you want to keep communications about your child quick and simple.

9. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social network for professionals. This is a great platform for reaching out to other caregivers and physicians for support and advice.

You add “Connections” rather than “Friends,” but the process is very similar to other social media platforms out there.

10. TinyBlu

TinyBlu tells you when you last interacted with a friend, and what was discussed — helping you to manage your friends and support workers.

The ability to reach out for help or support is essential when caring for a child with special needs — and these 10 apps make staying in touch easier than ever.

Special Needs Clothing: Take the Drama Out of Dressing with Willow Bug

Designed and made in the UK, the Willow Bug collection is created with love, care and attention to guarantee unrivalled quality, durability and functionality.

Featuring everyday outerwear essentials for four year olds to teens from waterproof ponchos to wheelchair snugs, back-fastening jackets to wheelchair capes, the Willow Bug range offers function and form without compromising on style.

Created with comfort in mind, the styles are designed to be worn while sitting and are cut shorter at the back to ensure there’s no extra material to tuck away.  All of the products are seam sealed and fully waterproof and most are fleece lined for extra warmth.

Willow Bug was established towards the end of 2016 by sister and brother team, Jess Chippendale and Dom Murray.

Frustrated by the style limitations of available specialist clothing for her wheelchair-using daughter, Jess was presented with an opportunity when adaptive clothing company Able2wear were selling off their childrenswear range.

Following an extensive rebrand, new product lines and an injection of energy, colour and fun, Willow Bug was launched to much acclaim.

“My daughter Willow is like any other six-year-old; she’s a style conscious kid who likes to look good.

However, getting Willow dressed is a daily challenge and it’s hard to find clothing that can accommodate her disability and her wheelchair,” says Jess.

“We are on a mission to provide fun but functional clothing that is easy to put on in fantastic styles that kids are going to want to wear.”

Have your purchased a Willow Bug product? – We’d love to know what you think!