If you’re dreading the summer holidays the joy of the Lord can be your strength

The school holidays will soon be here. For some families that’s a brief respite – children who struggle with school and are misunderstood in the classroom will experience a welcome relief. But for others it can bring difficulties. Children who rely on the security of the classroom routine can be completely thrown out by the unpredictable weeks stretching before them. Not all summer holiday play schemes can meet the requirements of children with additional needs, so it falls to mum and dad. It’s doubly hard, of course, for single parents.

A visual schedule and timetable can help. Take 5 And Chat produces one which can be completed and stuck to the fridge door, so that children can look at it and see what has been planned. For some children this gives reassurance to the days that stretch before them.

Here is also a golden opportunity for church members to serve as the body of Christ. When my children were young, Church was my lifeline. My three daughters have an eleven year age spread. My middle daughter has quadriparetic cerebral palsy, autism and a learning disability. The routine of a school timetable was a vital part of her ability to cope with life, and holidays resulted in severe dysregulation. She is a lifelong wheelchair user, and at the age of 12 a scoliosis surgery left her doubly incontinent. Some mums in my church learned to meet her needs, got to know her and ……