Staying in on a public holiday.

On every public holiday everyone is out and about eating and having fun. This means that every coffeeshop, restaurant or playground is so full of people that the atmosphere is unbearable to me.

Too much noise, people touching you all the time trying to pass by your seat, people sitting so close to you that you have to listen to everything they are talking about. And you listen to all the conversations together! It's just awful! Don't let me start with the children! 

There is also the problem of other mums and dads who want to do "the small talk" with me! Uh, "the small talk"! In my world, it's a unique and very cruel form of torturing, especially designed for ND people. I wouldn't wish it to my worst enemy!

So, I prefer staying home on public holidays. But I feel bad about it. My son, who doesn't have similar issues, wants to go out as all other children do and have fun. And I feel as not being a good mum for not letting him enjoy the day. I take him wherever he wants when there aren't so many people out, on regular days. But then he doesn't enjoy it so much, because he doesn't find many children to play. 

Does anyone have any recommendations so I can manage being among the crowd and go out?

Parents
  • Get someone else to take your children out so as you can have a day off. I hate them too, I live in a tourist area and we get swamped at bank holidays and school holidays.

    Guilt is a parental constant, we all feel we're not good enough and can't live up to the ideals, but really the ideal and perfection dont' exist, be good enough, thats all you need to be, children need a little adversity in their lives to help them grow as human beings, not to much but a little.

  • I really wanted to find a way to be able to go with him. There are many events to which I don't take him. For example, the carnival, the day we light up the city's Xmas tree, etc. I'm wondering if other autistics can participate in celebrations like these.

  • No I wouldn’t go to anything like that as the noise, lights and pushing would make my senses reel. I probably could manage it if I really had to, and if I could have time in the quiet on my own to recover afterwards — but I don’t, so I won’t. 

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