Are we ready for another Christmas?

I'm not sure I am myself really. I know the schools and colleges have finished now which can cause a little disruption again for autistic young people. My youngest really doesn't settle with the holidays, he would attend college all year round if it was up to him. He prefers the structure and the routine of his college days and feels a bit lost over the holidays.

My eldest has absorbed the Christmas TV guide already and now knows when all the Disney films are on. He will tell me every day what is on which is really handy (if it's Disney you want to watch). We have to walk every day as well in the holidays which I love because I need the exercise after eating too many chocolates. I suggested a walk tomorrow and looked at the weather forecast only to see rain. I put this to Mr T and he said ' well we have our coats Babs'. That's my nickname for those who may have missed it before.

I quite like the rest from the normal routine a little bit, I do still find it a bit unsettling and think I need to be really lazy when in fact I find that really hard to do. I also get enthused at first about having a lie in in the mornings only to wake at the same time as I usually would and then have to get up and do stuff. I have realised that I am really rubbish at sitting still. I know!! I thought I was good at it but it seems not. My mind races and I have to do the things that are going around in my brain, it's like I can't switch off. Maybe I do need my routine more than I thought. 

Christmas has changed a lot really as my boys are now older and the magic has disappeared slightly. It feels a bit weird and as though I'm not really caring too much for it all this year but I think it's just a shift in the way life is at the moment and how it changes. It takes time for us to process change and I think that's my problem this year. For so many years it has been a time toys and tons of presents, but now it's money and vouchers and not too much excitement about whether Santa will be here. 

I don't care, I'm still putting out my treats for Santa on Christmas Eve because that's what we've always done. I do hope your Christmas goes ok and without to much stress. Some families do have a tough time so please take it steady. The National Autistic have a list of tips to prepare for Christmas here: 
www.autism.org.uk/about/family-life/holidays-trips/christmas.aspx

I found some of those tips quite good. They did make me realise, especially the ones for autistic adults on how we need to prepare for budgeting and shopping. It is the prime time when our bank accounts tend to get the most abuse and also for me personally I cannot go shopping when it's really busy at Christmas. I find I do a lot of shopping online now and find it so much easier. People from Amazon just drop things off at the door, and usually next day......now thats great for me!!

​I am going to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and I will be back tomorrow for a bit of telly talk with Pass the Remote Sunday but for now you all take care.