Hi,
I'm just looking for some advice with regards to how to deal with my daughter over the school holidays. We are currently in week 4, and it has mostly been a nightmare. I expected it to be difficult as she is out of her usual routine, but we planned what was happening every day so she knew where she was going and what she was doing. I work almost full time, so I have taken the last 3 weeks of the holiday off, but haven't been able to take any time off in the first 4 weeks, which she absolutely resents me for. Every day is a struggle, and every night is a struggle as she is anxious about the following day. We have tried a couple of different camps, which I know she enjoys when she is there, but then won't go back either because she isn't sure if she'll know anybody (even though she is great at making new friends), or because slightest thing went wrong, which she has turned into a massive drama. This is also compounded by the fact that she won't let me tell them about her Condition. Her grandparents have been off work for the last couple of weeks, so she has just been going to their house, but I don't feel that letting her run away from her anxieties is the answer, plus it is unfair on her little brother who still has to go to camp as my daughter can't cope if they are both at their grandparents together (although he enjoys camp, so doesn't really mind).
I just feel like it's been an awful holiday, and she has told me as much, a lot. I have some activities planned for next week and we hope to go away the following which (in itself a challenge!) but I don't know how to help her deal with her anxieties. It's crippling, not just in the holidays, but all of the time. She won't sleep alone, she just won't be alone, unless she is watching TV or making videos on her phone. It's emotionally draining and physically exhausting.
Sorry for the long post. Any advice greatly appreciated.
