I’ve mentioned the kids’ physical ailments and DS8’s sensory issues before, but another side affect (or piece of the puzzle) is an intolerance of heat. DD12 handles it ok, but any heat sends DS8 into an awful mood. His sensory overload kicks in, and he is really just unable to express how uncomfortable he is. He turns bright red and has to sit in a cooled area for quite a while before becoming his charming self again. It doesn’t have to be really hot, either. High 70s to low 80s is his upper tolerance.
For this reason, we school and have therapy through the summer. As the temperatures start to get cooler in the Fall, we start thinking about vacation. I know your first thought is, “Here comes a plug for Disneyland.” Yes, we are going to Disneyland when the weather gets cooler, but that is mainly because we have an annual pass this year, and we might as well use it. The kids love Disneyland, and it is a good fit for them because it is easy for them to take frequent breaks in the air conditioning.
As Dawn said, it is not just about travel. It is about recharging and connecting. Whether we are connecting with other adults or reconnecting as a family, vacation is important for us, as mothers. We need that time to realize that we are more than chief cook, house cleaner, and teacher. We are moms, first and foremost.
So, what does my ideal vacation look like? It starts off with my not having to cook (unless I am camping). From there, it looks a little like this…
Traditional fun games in a new way…or is this an old way. Games that make me laugh.
Time to just hang around with my family. I don’t like having to rush around on vacation. {No, I don’t do Disneyland commando-style.} I like to enjoy myself.
It’s also nice to have some time to say, “Hi!” To talk for awhile.
Yes, I like to have some rest while on vacation. I need that down time to relax and recharge. I don’t like to come back from vacation feeling like I need to take another vacation.
Finally, I like to take some time to look at the flowers and other nature. I like to have the time to take lots of pictures to remind me of vacation after vacation has long disappeared.
I hope that you and your family had a wonderful vacation this summer. If not, I hope that you will take Dawn’s suggestion to declare a week vacation before starting back to school. As homeschooling moms, we need the rest, recharge, and reconnect before the school year. Rest, recharge, and reconnect are the 3 Rs of homeschooling moms. We must have these to make it through.
Ann says
That’s interesting! I didn’t even make the connection between my daughters’ sensory issues and the weather. I know when it gets above about 75 degrees they do NOT like to be outside – even for brief periods of time. This past summer it was in the 90s-100s for most of the summer. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time indoors. We are finally taking vacation and it’s been wonderfully cool out east with very little humidity. It makes such a difference with their ability to have fun, learn, and enjoy being outside!
Naomi says
We don’t just see the sensory response; we see physical signs, as well. DS8 gets bright red in the face and ear lobes.
That being said, I have heard others say that their children’s sensory responses are triggered by sunlight and heat, too. It sounds like your daughters might have a similar trigger.
I’m glad to hear that it is getting cooler for you, too! We have cooled down a lot, and that has made for a happier DS8.
wondersndreams says
My little guy has sensory heat sensitivty as well, we prefer to do the normal outdoor stuff in the fall and spring. He starts to overheat, gets violent etc he doesnt get back to normal until we make him sit still, drink some cold drink and sit in a/c.
Naomi says
That sounds just like DS8! Now that it is getting cooler, we are looking forward to getting out more. Fall and Spring are our prime outdoor times, too. DS8’s favorite time is Winter. Both kids come out and help me shovel the snow.
Dawn @ 5 Kids and a Dog says
So great! I really LOVE your three R’s for homeschool moms!! It’s so true– if we don’t take an actual break, as in totally, no homeschool planning or anything and just be ourselves without that additional nametag, we get rest. Disneyland would be an ideal place too, if it were close enough. 🙂 Fun!
BTW, I like your new look! 😀
Naomi says
Thanks, Dawn! Honey did a great job, didn’t she?
It really is hard to get that total break, isn’t it? Where we lived before, we were part of a co-op. The moms who weren’t helping on a particular group day would go out to eat together or just sit around the gym and talk. It was SO wonderful because it as a precious 3 hour block of not being mom and teacher. We were just women socializing. It doesn’t really take much time to get that rejuvenation.